Embracing Culture

i have been here for about a month and a half now. much of me still longs for the comforts of home and anything familiar. i get this excitement inside anytime i see a foreigner here....wierd! i was thinking about this yesterday...my most joyous visit since i have been here was to the western import food store. it was lovely...i walked in and saw flour tortillas, blueberry muffin mix, mac & cheese, doritos!!! it was so soothing. i spent quite a bit of cash that day! i have come to a hard conclusion and it is that i need to let go of desiring familiarity and the comforts of home because it is preventing me from experiencing all that there is to offer here. i don't think that i can fully appreciate the place that God has me in if i'm not embracing the culture/food. financially, it really isn't wise anyway. for example, i bought a small bag of doritos for almost $5 at the western import store and today, i had a delicious lunch with a couple of friends and we each only paid an equivalent of about $1.50! WOW! it is ridiculous that i would spend so much on western food, when the food here is great! so, i am committing to wise stewardship of my finances, especially when it comes to food. i will have all the western food i want when i return home! i will, however, need to splurge on something on those extreme "homesick" days.