CULTURE SHOCK

Stray Animals

I imagine Colombia to be like a step back in time. I imagine cobbled streets and one-storey buildings, street vendors, vibrant markets and salsa music to be heard wherever I go. I would also imagine, however, that this is a slightly idealistic picture. 

My imagine of Colombia is largely based on how it is portrayed in popular culture. Although I am aware that this is not necessarily the reality.. I have never been and some of my perception is based on the movies and music videos that depict it. One thing that the movies do not show, is the number of stray animals. It would probably ruin the video if one were to wonder across!

I love animals and think I would find it upsetting to see them living malnourished or in poor conditions. At home, it is rare to see an animal living on the street and even in cases where they are, people will often feed them or they will be housed at a rescue centre. 

One way to minimise this culture shock, may be to volunteer at an animal welfare centre. Some of the cases that they deal with may be even more upsetting than the things seen on the street, but at least I would know I was doing something to help.

Culture shock can be difficult to deal with but I think it is also a good thing. Living in somewhere such as Australia, we tend to have a good quality of life and are sheltered from a lot of things. It is good to expose ourselves to a different way of life, even if it is upsetting at times.