Why I’m Going to Be So Messed Up When I Get Back to the States

-Togo, in comparison to the US, is a considerably lawless society. I once mentioned that you can get arrested for public drunkenness and that there is a legal drinking age in the States and my host brothers were amazed. A funny anecdote on that: my nearest PCV neighbor has a girlfriend who is currently in Togo doing research with a Fulbright Scholarship. She was asked to participate in cross-cultural panel discussion for Togolese who will be soon leaving for America. There were Togolese participating in the discussion who had just recently come back from the States. When asked about certain laws and regulations in the States one individual raised his hand and said, “They say that America is the ‘land of the free’. But let me tell you something; America is a POLICE STATE! They have laws against everything! They even tell you what side of the road to drive on!”

It is incredible how loose the law is and how little enforcement there really is but yet Togo is still a very peaceful and safe country. The only real “security” concern is theft. It really is a testament to the way in which justice and order is kept internally in the village. Considering this, when I come back, it may be difficult to become accustomed to the American perception of “orderly” and “polite” behavior. I apologize in advance if my behavior seems to be less than polite, prudent, or even lawful.

-I will return to America not having driven a car in over 2 years. Moreover, traffic laws exist here virtually only in theory. Truthfully, with the dilapidated state of the roads it’s difficult to fault anyone for letting the rules of the road slide sometimes. Not only will I be returning without having put my hands on the wheel in 2 years, but I’ve also been living in a country without traffic laws, traffic signs, traffic cops, or much traffic itself to speak of (except in bigger towns).

-I have become accustomed to speaking French to anyone who is not white, even in Ghana…an English speaking country.

-I have eaten insects, the innards of bush rats, and other oddly shaped, oddly textured, oddly smelling and tasting; and all in all potentially disgusting foods in the eyes of Americans. This includes dog. Yes, I have eaten dog (only once, just to have the experience. Dog is not eaten by the Ewe people so it's not a normal thing in my village).

-And finally; I regularly urinate in public.