The best way to learn a new language and culture is to experience it! When we get to Papua New Guinea, there will be plenty of new things to experience and learn. And our boys will be experiencing those things right along with us.
Before we leave for PNG and begin learning a whole new culture, we wanted to let the boys experience another aspect of our own culture – the classic American pastime of baseball. A few weekends ago, our family headed to Pittsburgh and spent the evening with Grandma and Grandpa Weber at a Pirates game. We were a little too high up for the boys to make use of the ball gloves they brought, but they didn’t care. They didn’t even care that the Pirates lost! It was fireworks night too and the view from the stadium with fireworks reflecting off the skyscrapers was really incredible.
Recently, even before we went to the Pirates game, Luke and Titus decided that they now have favorite teams – the Pirates for baseball, the Penguins for hockey and the Steelers for football. A few days ago Luke told us that he also likes the Browns! Apparently he hasn’t learned that, at least in this part of the country, it’s either one of those teams or the other – not both!!
While we aren’t avid fans for any sports teams, we’re glad that the boys are making some connections with our “home” culture. They probably won’t see football, baseball or hockey while we’re in Papua New Guinea (unless some of you sports fans send us dvd’s of some games!) but at least they’ll know what people are talking about when we come home.