Adaptation is something that is required for visiting other cultures. People must accommodate some form of another lifestyle to observe it and subsequently tourists often unknowingly glean from what they experience. Every time that I travel, my goal is to adapt to the lifestyle as much as possible by trying anything at least twice. This could stem from the anthropologist in me, wanting to be a constant participant observer, but it could also come from my belief that no culture is entirely wrong or correct and the only way to learn is via experience. I often take back mindsets rather than different visual actions from my experiences, such as an increased appreciation for family after returning home from Uganda. The only thing that I would never adapt or change would be my moral code or ethical standards. As long as I maintain this baseline I feel it is totally fine to explore other mentalities and customs without compromising your beliefs. That being said, it is hard for me to say exactly how different I am after I return home from a journey, but it is safe to say that this is because I have permanently adapted to the point of integration. Life is a process of continual growth and development and the best way to learn about yourself is by encountering other cultures.
Specifically in Greek culture, I love the style eating end drinking coffee for hours upon hours at cafes, simply enjoying life via conversation and observation. The pace here is different for different things and emphasizes personal interactions rather than material ones. I will attempt to spend more time with my friends in this way when I return home. The only thing that I feel I would have difficulty adapting at this point is the language, but this is only for the sake of practicality. At this point I am really open to at least try anything.
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