Pop goes the personal space bubble

One of the major differences that I have noticed between living in the United States and here in Central America is the need for personal space. While this could be a result of the fact that El Salvador is far more densely populated than much of the US, I think of places like New York City, where people still find ways to create their own little worlds. I think of how we often joke about the bubble of personal space that we use when we are having conversations, working or traveling. Well someone stuck a pin in that here because "personal space" is sort of a non-existent concept.

For example, riding the bus, you need to be prepared to have a lot of contact. I'm not talking about refusing the vendors or making sure you're not being hustled with the fare, but I wonder if the bus drivers here have a secret challenge going on to determine who can fit the greatest amount of people on their bus at one time. I have never in my life been squished up against more people than I have in this last week. Yesterday (I'm not making this up), I actually sat on the dashboard of a bus. By the way if I die in El Salvador its totally going to be in some sort of bus disaster. And the other morning, an old woman nodded off while on our bus ride and at one point slept on my shoulder. This is life here. I can't help but think of all the mornings I drove to work, one person in a car that could hold five others and thought nothing of it. Are we lucky, spoiled or maybe we are missing out...

Granted how crowded places can get are uncomfortable, there is another aspect to this lack of personal space thing. I've barely been at the school two weeks and I've only been to the orphanage once so far, but you'd think I gave birth to these children. The hugs, the desire to sit on my lap or just be physically close to someone is so endearing. In general, people are far more affectionate here, and not just with children. There is no holding back of showing love or friendship through gestures, embraces or personal proximity. Clearly this is cultural. Those of us raised in the Anglosaxon/other European traditions that have dominated US culture have learned to keep our distance, to not always be comfortable with someone touching us, invading our personal/emotional bubble. I of course have never liked that and find that often a hug can be far more powerful than words. There is a warmth to this lack of personal space that I don't find exists in our home culture.

So we have the luxury to spread out at home but maybe we're the ones who have been cramped us, missing out on the joy that comes not from having our space, but by sharing our space.

muchos abrazos y besos