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Rica Vergara Beck

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Not Lost, but Connected in Translation


Imagine stepping off a plane into a place where the language flows like a new and unfamiliar song. The bustling mix of voices surrounds you, each word hinting at mysteries yet to be discovered. This isn’t just travel; it’s an adventure into the unexpected and exciting.


Living comfortably where English dominates, it's easy to forget the colorful beauty of linguistic diversity. However, the moment your feet touch foreign soil, where English becomes a rarity, a sudden culture shock can seize you. In Thailand, where English is widely spoken but not abundant, daily routines, once seamless, become an intricate puzzle. Simple tasks like getting  a GrabTaxi and sending directions to the driver, asking a saleslady for the ripest mango, or navigating a confusing government office now seem like huge challenges. Anxiety tiptoes into your head, twining itself around your newfound frustrations. Yet, in this age of digital wonders, technology in fact can transform these obstacles into gateways for human connections.


It's fascinating, isn't it? Our choice to step into this new country where we are the outsiders bears a responsibility—a beautiful burden to bridge gaps and build connections beyond words. What I've discovered through my wanderings is simple yet profound: how we react to these linguistic challenges shapes our experiences.


Most of the time, if you show a glimmer of kindness, people reciprocate with effort. Living in Thailand epitomizes this truth. Life there is a serene dance of simplicity and Zen-like calm. Communication challenges melt into gentle smiles and understanding gestures when words fail. Everyday encounters with non-English speakers in Thailand highlight the power of patience and kindness. 


Having recently moved away from Thailand, I find that among the many life lessons it imparted, the ability to find serenity and connection through kindness remains invaluable. I carry this wisdom now in Istanbul. My adventures in this new city have echoed the heartwarming experiences I cherished in Thailand.


In Istanbul, smiles and patience unlock doors that language alone cannot. Just the other day, I was surprised to receive a discount from the vet because he said I was a good person—though I don’t recall doing anything special to deserve it. I simply came to see him for my furbaby Bruno, and we understood each other with the minimal English he knew. I guess learning “Hello” and “Thank You” in Turkish was enough to earn that discount. At my first doctor's appointment, I was offered special assistance simply because, as I was told, I smiled and patiently tried to understand what the medical staff wanted to say, using their minimal English and Google Translate. Such moments remind me that small gestures—shared smiles and nods—build bridges even where words falter.


These lessons from Thailand continue to weave a rich story in my life now in Istanbul. Each connection, each smile, each moment of patience enriches my journey, proving once again that in a world tangled with words, serenity is found in understanding and kindness.


Rica Vergara Beck
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