5. Community Abounds
In Litchfield Penitentiary, Piper Chapman becomes part of a community of women. She confides in her fellow inmates, grows close to them and realizes they aren’t as different as she once thought. Other characters, like Red, string together groups of women that they refer to as family. It’s not so different here in the Middle East. Having left most of our families and friends on the other side of the world, those of us stationed here are eager to create community. And in a place that can be challenging to adjust to (see above) community is a must. Acquaintances become friends and friends become family faster under these circumstances. Our tight knit local community provides information and support.
Life overseas, of course, is not prison. It’s a unique opportunity to explore another culture, to travel and make close friends. It’s a lot a way to learn to live without Target and Chipotle. But most of all it’s an instant community of characters sharing the same situation, not unlike those on our favorite TV shows.
Read Next: Year 1 – New Wife and New Mom
