I never once in my life imagined that this word would become a regular part of my vocabulary. Now, I can’t have a sentence without uttering “y’all” or another, more elongated version of it.
My husband and I grew up in a small desert town in southern California. Where we come from, all there was to do was go to the river or go “four-bying” in the desert in a big truck or ATV. If you wanted to do anything else, you had to drive 40+ miles to go to the movies, the mall, or walk around a casino trying to find the arcade. Sundays were spent lazing around in front of the television, and when you wanted to go out for dinner, your best options were either the local pizza joint, Denny’s, or a local truck stop that had a restaurant and cheesy gift shop. “Dude” was our “y’all” and everything else in between. The weather was dry and hot, and the wind felt like a blow-dryer on the highest heat setting. Trees were scarce, and dirt was plentiful.
Three years ago, we PCS’d to Georgia. When we first moved here, I had no idea what to expect. The first thing I noticed was how green it was – there were trees everywhere! I also felt how hot and humid the air was. Within the first week, I saw two alligators (or, as I like to call them, remnants of the Jurassic period) taking up residence in local water sources – which, of course, scared the daylights out of me at first. I didn’t know about the bugs -SO many bugs – or that I can’t sit outside for more than ten minutes without being eaten alive by mosquitoes and chiggers. And the SNAKES. One day while driving, I saw what had to be a six-foot snake slithering down a tree. It was terrifying!
Georgia also has its own unique culture. Everything from daily life, to food, to overall society is so different. Being in the Bible Belt, Georgia is much more socially conservative than California. There is a church on every block, and about 80% of churches here are Baptist. Southerners dress nice and go to church every Sunday, then out to brunch after. Church remains the go-to for community interaction. Georgia is big on tradition, and like most conservative societies, they don’t like change. They are passionate about their history and how it has shaped their daily lives. The food here is more about comfort, and they get REALLY serious about their BBQ and fried chicken. You can find sweet tea on every menu in every restaurant – even the chains! Georgia is also very famous for its peaches! You can find peach orchards everywhere. People still hold doors for you and greet you like family.
Who knew that you could experience different cultures in your own country?
While there is a lot to love, it’s also a lot to get used to. I like to integrate into the area I live in, but it’s been harder for me this time. I grew up in a very different (and very liberal) environment, one that didn’t put a lot of emphasis on religion. People were also not as friendly, but they were a bit more accepting and open to new ideas. With that being said, while it’s been a challenge, I am adapting well. My belief systems haven’t changed, nor do I go to church every Sunday – but what I have learned is that I can experience a place and its culture without having to fully be a part of it (although, I have developed a bit of a drawl since coming here). I have discovered things I love here, such as the food (the BBQ really is top notch here), the history, and the sights. I plan to make the most of the rest of our time here, and I hope to apply what I have learned when we move to our next station – no matter where it may be.