Cultural Syncretism

This week I was introduced to a social concept that hit home for me and I am committing to fully utilizing this phenomenon for my last few weeks here in Afghanistan. The idea is called cultural syncretism. One of my Italian friends mentioned it and it stuck. This is the definition of which I’m embracing: Syncretism is a combination of separate concepts into one new, unique idea. Cultural syncretism is when an aspect of two or more distinct cultures blend together to create a new custom, idea, practice, or philosophy.

For the past couple weeks I’ve been escorting a few Italians over to the pool twice a week to swim. The pool is at the U.S. Embassy and the only way our international partners can enjoy it is if one of the U.S citizens escorts them. I was honored to be asked by a Two Star Italian General if he could join me twice a week while I swam.  So now Tuesdays and Thursdays we go over to the pool. I swim for an hour, they swim for 40 minutes and then catch some sun while I finish my workout. The Italians are enjoying the American culture with the ability to swim here in Afghanistan, but then they blend it with their cultural norm by also resting and enjoying the sun.

Proof of a Two Star Swim!

This last week while they were sun bathing the General asked the Major, Francesco, how old he thought I was. So when I got out of the pool the General asked me how old I am and I answered thirty five. Well the General took this as an opportunity to say Francesco thinks I’m old, he thought I was forty. I was instantly slightly offended. Francesco did his best back pedal and said he calculated my age by taking into account how many children I have and my rank in the Navy. Based on those two facts, and those two facts alone, he says he figured I had to be forty. I probably will give Francesco a hard time about this until I leave!

As we about to leave the pool the General made a comment about speedos.  So all the Italians swim in speedos and then put shorts on afterwards to sun bath.  His comment was he doesn’t understand the American’s aversion to them, they still wear swimsuits which show just as much anatomy.  He was referring to a speedo style swimsuit, but long, like bike shorts.  I believe this maybe a topic in which Americans will not synchronize with the Europeans.  Although the Americans do blend a speedo with a more traditional swimsuit, so that is still Cultural Syncretism.

Since I started swimming with the Italians, I’ve certainly started to embrace cultural syncretism. Francesco is actually the person who introduced me to the concept. When I was done swimming I used to go back to the office and eat lunch there. Now I do my afternoons Italian style. I go to lunch with Francesco, the first time I went I ate quickly and left early to get back, but I quickly realized what was I getting back for? Nothing was the right answer. So now I enjoy my lunch with them and I’ve even started accompanying them to the Italian NSE (national support element), the building they lounge in, and having an afternoon Italian coffee before I head back to the office. So far I have missed nothing at work and I’m enjoying my time that much more. I like Italian syncretism!

This last weekend I received my NATO medal at the monthly NATO medal parade. Each month everyone, and I mean everyone, who has been here more than a month receives the non-article five NATO medal. This medal doesn’t really speak to any true accomplishment other than breathing, but it has become a rite of passage.   I am close enough to leaving that I was given a medal. I now have a medal proving I survived the NATO environment of Kabul, Afghanistan. I was fortunate enough to get a picture with my Italian Two Star General and swimming partner, Major General Bettelli.

 

 

While I was home my dad mentioned something that stuck with me.  He said you know you are the one that is changing.  The people at home will be relatively the same when you come home.  I believe, for the most part, he is right.  When I get home I will have to sensitive to the fact that I will need to reintroduce myself to my family.  I will have to learn where I fit and culturally synchronize myself with them.  This experience certainly has changed me and opened my eyes to a world I can’t truly explain.  Afghanistan, like many things in life, unless you’ve been there you can’t describe it, it’s an experience.  However much I’m ready to go home and be with my family I will have to be aware that I’ve changed and they managed without me for over a year.  Although I have no doubt, that with a little time we’ll be back culturally synced blending ourselves back together creating a family that is wiser and stronger and ready to take on anything!