I was silent on our ride back to the hotel. Bob went for a swim while I was intensely focused on reading the digital version of the Chicago Tribune on my tablet.
In that moment, I realized I had what you’d call “culture shock”. I was still so preoccupied with processing the previous days’ experiences that my ability to absorb new ones was shrinking. It made sense that I was growing irritated with people talking. I didn’t want any more input.
Pie Chart of Preoccupation by Day:
The Trib was easy and familiar and demanded nothing of my diminished coping reserves.
