Travel Shock

I have travelled to many places that are so different from anywhere I have been before, or where the living conditions are so challenging, that I have experienced a form of culture shock. I haven't been to places that have been ravaged by recent wars, or refugee camps or anything that dramatic, I have however been to many places that would be beyond the comfort zone of most people.

I was a little surprised then to find that one of the most intense feelings of travel shock came to me not in a poor and desperate village in Africa or Sth East Asia, but walking through the streets of London. After spending almost 6 months in Africa, returning to the developed world was almost like a slap in the face. 

Even though I had spent the last 3 months in the fairly well developed countries of South Africa and Namibia, they had nothing like the extravagance in shopping like Bond St, Regent St and Oxford St in the heart of wealthy London.

I felt uncomfortable walking through a large shopping centre and seeing the extent of what was on offer. Now don't get me wrong, I realise that my wealth and freedom has come from living in such a developed society, and I use many items from our modern technological world.

But seriously, so much stuff for sale is just useless shite, and the developed world needs to have a bit more regard for the profligate waste of resources.

I was back in this part of London again about 5 weeks later, and while I am still disappointed by the excess and extravagance, it seems the shock factor has work off, and it no longer made me feel so uncomfortable. I wonder if I will reach a point where I no longer notice it at all?