Nomads like us tend to be adaptive to the environment we live in. We embrace differences in culture and try stuff out, as we don't want to miss out on the experience. The idea is to try things at least once. We do this particularly with food. Some people cringe at the sight of blood soup, balut, sashimi or steak tartare. But nomads are more open and, without any judgement, seizes the moment.
Outside of the carpe diem matra, though, they are people just missing the environment they are accustomed to. There are times when we wanted to bask on our comfort zone and not have to tiptoe around other cultures. I am particularly lucky because I have my fellow Filipino family with me. When I come home, I can relax, stop trying to adapt, become comfortable speaking my own language and be who I really am.
It is a different story though for my friend, Pat who is married to an American. Her struggle to remain true to herself is far more difficult because she has to culturally adjust even at the comfort of her own home. She therefore cannot just cook a meal like she did from back home if her husband does not like it. Some Filipino food could admittedly be an acquired taste.
