At home all over the world: member Richard Maywald
Saturday, February 20th, 2010
In his 34 years as a geophysicist for Texaco, Richard Maywald lived just about everywhere: Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, even—occasionally—in the United States.
Energetic, highly adaptable and insatiably curious, Mr. Maywald has always been well-suited for a life outside his country of origin. He attributes his ease with living abroad to a pair of eccentric aunts who taught him there’s a lot of life beyond the family farm in Minnesota. “They were inquisitive and they loved to collect things. I inherited both of those qualities from my aunts,” says Mr. Maywald.
Indeed, Mr. Maywald’s house is full of beautiful objects gathered during his many years overseas: elegant bronzes cast by the Benin people of Nigeria and ancient ceramics from China are some of his favorite pieces. “I’m interested in art that has historical value. I enjoy the art more when I know how the work reflects the culture,” he says. Take the Nigerian bronzes, for example: not only does he appreciate the statues for their beauty, he takes the time to learn how the bronzes are cast and what the symbols etched on the figure represent.
The key to being successful in another culture, says Mr. Maywald, is conversation, taking the time to really listen, not just make idle chatter. “That’s how you learn about traditions and cultural rules. I always want to dive in and develop friendships among the indigenous people: I learn the culture, pick up some of the language.” His respectful curiosity has made him a welcome guest all over the world.
Seventy-eight years young, Mr. Maywald still travels, no doubt charming the natives everywhere he goes. In the last two years, he’s been to India and Romania, and he’s planning a month-long trip to Nicaragua in 2010.
When Mr. Maywald decided to “settle” in Washington State, a friend from Grinnell College days, now working for Group Health Cooperative, suggested he consider becoming a member of GHCU. In 2003, Mr. Maywald became a member of the credit union and now says he “wouldn’t trade it for anything.” For our part, the team at GHCU is very glad Mr. Maywald landed here.
Thank you Mr. Maywald for sharing your experiences of the world. You were very blessed to be able to travel and to be diversed in other cultures, as well.
Please take your diversity and share with others here in the United States. It will give a better understanding of how we should respect others living in that exact culteral experience here and now!
Thank you!!
Diane,
Thank you for your comment. Until you’ve lived in a country where it’s not your culture or your language surrounding you, it’s difficult to know how challenging that can be. Thank you for the reminder! (And my apologies to the Czech Republic for shredding their language for five years.)
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Reatha,
That is a really wonderful compliment to receive, thank you! I think, in this case, the great subject matter (Mr. Maywald) was what gave this post its positive feel. I really appreciate your kind words, and I hope you drop by often!
Shannon