Some Things are Universal

The old adage "some things are universal" (is it an old adage?  not sure what the criteria are for that... but seems fitting) comes to fruition in many different ways when traveling abroad.

One of the things I like most about traveling is learning new things not only about other people, other cultures, and other parts of the world - but also about myself.  Travel can shape a person.  It can shape our view on life and how we treat and respect others.

Prior to this trip, I had never been outside the US for this long (I've now been gone for 8 weeks... never studied abroad in college...).  On a quick vacation, it's easy to think that the most noticeable things about traveling internationally are the stark differences from life in the States - the food, the language, the architecture, the landscape, even which side of the road people drive on.  However, it doesn't take too long before you start realizing that some things truly are universal.

I still miss some US favorites (the do not sell mint oreos over here).  I miss family and friends.  As I start missing 'comforts' from home more, the more I actually started to realize similarities on a daily basis.

1. McDonald's and Coca-Cola.  The golden arches and red soda cans can be found almost anywhere.  The first time I see McDonald's in another country, I always think to myself... "man, how has McDonald's taken over so many places??"  But, after a week or so, I actually start to find some comfort in seeing the golden arches.  Visiting McDonald's abroad displays an interesting combination of cultures.  Although the marketing is similar across the globe, the menu has actually adopted some of the local food customs.  In India, the menu involved mainly vegetarian options.  In Thailand, instead of getting a bun, you can get a bun on your sandwich made out of sticky rice!   
2. Most people want what we can't be.  Try as I might, I'm not ever going to be much tanner than I am now.  One can really only go to the tanning bed so often (though -  cross my heart, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye - I actually / sadly do not go to the tanning bed anymore.  Apparently it is now proven to be bad for you skin....).  So, tanning bed or no tanning bed, you are kind of born with the skin color you get.  Thankfully, tanning lotion can help.  In the US, Jergen's brand is known for it's lotion that does not leave streaks - hence not giving away your secret vanity and daily use of tanning lotion.  Thus, I was obviously excited when I spotted the Jergen's logo in a store at the mall in Bangkok.  However, checking out the bottle - the only kind of lotion Jergen's sells over here is whitening lotion!  At all the beaches, you see the Europeans laying out in the sun, and most Asian travelers wearing hats, long sleeved shirts, and long pants.  Someone in my class at Sasin told me that girls with light skin are seen as more attractive here - so most girls hide from the sun and use whitening lotion.  Even in another culture - people always tend to want what they cannot have....
3. One common word across languages = a smile.  Thailand is known as the "Land of a Thousand Smiles"... and I can see why.  These people are some of the friendliest!  When in the Chiang Mai airport, I had just walked into the restroom, and a janitor had just finished cleaning.  She had the biggest smile on her face - like she was excited to be working and excited that someone was benefiting from her work.  One of my New Years resolutions is to smile more.  Although I have a long way to go, this has been the perfect place to kick off that resolution.
4. Faith.  Religions and beliefs differ across countries around the globe.  They differ within regions of the US, and they even differ within families.  In Thailand and other countries, there are exhibits of faith you see every day - maybe it's because we have visited many temples in Thailand, maybe it's because so many taxi drivers have buddhas or religious symbols hanging from their rear view mirror here, or maybe it's because people (no matter what type of religion) find comfort in beliefs and structured values.