|
Funny how things change on the World Race
|
|
|
By:
|
theworldrace
|
|
Mood:
|
Excited
|
|
Date:
|
07/31/2007 09:55:40
|
|
Music:
|
None
|
|
|
From BriEllyn Widbin's blog: It's been very
interesting to watch my definition of "normal" evolve and mutate over the last
7 months into something that I probably wouldn't have considered possible just
a few short months ago. I'm realizing that the consistency of my current life,
although strange and 99% unconventional, has actually become quite comfortable
and familiar. The things that happen on a daily basis no longer surprise me,
and will probably be missed when I go home. I've slept in a sleeping bag for
207 nights straight, at least 26 people could probably identify every single
item in my backpack, a tea light candle can make anywhere "home", I can
recognize the voice
and laugh of
every teammate, spending more than$3 for a meal seems extravagant, wearing
socks with sandals (even flip-flops) is a perfectly acceptable solution for
cold feet, and the availability of wireless internet is more exciting than
sleeping on a real bed. I've adapted to wearing tennis shoes with skirts, using
duct tape to patch the holes in my jeans, putting baby powder in my hair
instead of washing it, and eating beans straight from the can. This is my life
now, and I've almost forgotten what "normal" is supposed to be like. Home is
still 3 months away, but I can already foresee the adjustment back to American
life being difficult. I'll probably be quite an embarrassment to my family and
friends if I start cleaning under my fingernails with toothpicks at a
restaurant, or if I wear my airplane blanket as a skirt to the Laundromat so
that I can wash ALL of my clothes together. Even things like showering everyday
and driving a car will feel foreign and somehow indulgent. I'm sure I'll deal
with the serious stuff later, but for now, here's a slightly humorous glimpse
at a few more ways that "normal" has been redefined.
Things that have
lost all shock value things just DON'T happen at home:
- Water or electricity not working for
hours at a time in the middle of the day your shoulders and try
again later.
- Seeing men peeing on the side of
roads, on trees, or just about anywhere they happen to be standing. I
think the U.S.
is the only place where this is abnormal.
- Hearing stories of teammates being
robbed Jon. If it happens again, he'll be lucky to get an
eyeroll.
- Public discussion of all bodily functions.
Apparently we think it's important to know the regularity of all
teammates.
- Arriving at a ministry site that had
absolutely no clue we were coming thing we always bring our tents!
- Wearing the same clothes from head
to toe for 3 days without a second thought. Everyone else is doing it, so
it can't really be that gross, can it?
- Waking up on a travel day without
any idea of how we're getting to the airport or where we're staying when
we reach our destination it always works out.
- Hitch-hiking it's so much
faster than walking and so much cheaper than a taxi!
- Public breast feeding with no
attempt whatsoever to cover anything.
- Paying $.30 to use a public
toilet if you want toilet paper too.
On the flip
side, there are some things that have actually
gained shock value:
- Free tap water in restaurants
- Clean feet
- Being given CORRECT directions from
a local
- Having elbow room on any form of
public transportation
- The affect of a new article of
clothing
- Being self conscious of ANYTHING
- Being clearly understood
- Being able to afford a hotel instead
of a hostel
- Plans NOT changing at the last
minute
- A clean shaven boy you seen our
guys lately??
The World Race
has by far been the most challenging yet rewarding experience of my life. I've
learned more about myself and God than I ever thought possible, and even if I
humiliate myself when I get home by wearing stripes and plaid together or taking
all the sugar packets and napkins from a restaurant "just in case it was all
still totally worth it!
And just because
it makes me feel closer to home to talk about them are the 10 things I
miss the most:
- Wal-Mart and Target
- A big fluffy bath towel
- High heels
- Carpet
- Driving a car
- Applebee's Santa Fe Chicken salad
- Good customer service
- Personal independence
- My cell phone
- My church
For more info on the World Race go here. Read more stories from the Race here.
|
|
