Thanks for the good advice. Im more or less fluent in the local language, i also thought being well integrated would be helpful but maybe I overdid it. I used to have a "my home is where my bank account is" mentality, a modern mercenary maybe, and years ago it also seemed very interesting to learn, and "understand" the natives but at some point I guess I just felt some cultural issues will never really make sense to me anyway, even if they can be explained...some things seem decades behind... A few good sane friends from a similar cultural background (as opposed to misfit type expats and locals only), physical activities/sports, and of course - i think this is something i underestimated - regular time at home seems to be key. Lenses - yes, sounds familiar
wish you all the best in figuring this out