The World Race wouldn’t be complete without a few final Top Ten lists from the year. I mostly post this for some fun and to let you in on a bit of my processing time during our debrief. I think it’s always good to know what you love, what you’ll miss and what you’re walking away from with a smile!
Top Ten Things I miss from HOME:
10. Secret deodorant—these roll-ons around the world just don’t cut it!
9. Fructis Shampoo…I just love that smell and haven’t seen it in 11 months.
8. American restaurants—especially Panera’s ‘You pick 2′ soup and sandwich—mm…
7. High speed/wireless internet …yes I love technology…
6. American bras and underwear—can’t find these anywhere! …and after 11 months the ones I have are looking a little thin. I’ll be glad to go shopping for necessities!
5. couches—not gonna lie, I can’t wait to snuggle into the lazy boy at home and chillax…
4. DESSERT—you never get this after a meal around the world. I can’t wait for some good Midwest BARS and brownies.
3. My own bed with clean sheets!
2. Mom’s chili with REAL WISCONSIN CHEESE!!
1. A hot shower. No need to explain. Glorious!!
mmmm…good food…good friends…good times…I can’t wait!
Top Ten Things I’ll miss from the RACE:
10. 50 million modes of transportation all the time (sleeper train, bus, tram, subway, rick-shaw, tuk-tuk, flatbed truck, taxi) Oh I’ll miss all of you!
9. Random Food: “What is that?” (shrug) Pop it in…hmm…tasty!
8. SPICY food! Everything’s gonna seem so bland at home. 🙂
7. Spontaneous dance parties with iPod speakers.
6. Watching ‘the Office’ with every spare moment of down time.
5. Watching movies (or the Office) on an iPod or laptop computer with 17 other people. “Who’s got speakers??”
how many girls can you pile on a bed for a movie??
4. Hilarious homemade videos coming from our group of hilarious people.
3. MARKETS! Cheap and awesome junk from around the world!
2. Massages, girl time, cuddles and hugs.
1. Worship together and seeking God with 50 other amazing men and women of God. I’ll miss you all! I love you!
Top Ten Things I WON’T miss from the RACE:
10. Sleeping in around 90 different beds over the course of 11 months.
9. Packing, Repacking and packing again.
8. Hauling said packed bag around everywhere…the train, the hostel, oops we went the wrong way—turn around, onto the bus, the long walk there, up the stairs…now we’re “home”
7. The herd mentality. “Just keep walking…I’m sure someone knows where we’re going.”
…nope…we’re definitely lost and these bags are heavy and I’m tired…ugh…
6. Public defecation. If I never see random strangers poo or pee again I’ll be happy.
5. Always making at least one other person come with you anywhere…ugh…safety…
4. WAITING. Hurry up and wait is the key phrase in travel. Run to the train station, whew we made it! … then sit in the waiting room for 5 hours until the delayed train arrives…never fails.
3. Keeping Finances. “Can I have some money for food? Are we getting reimbursed for this? Is this on team?” Not sad to see this responsibility go.
2. Traveller’s Diarrhea. ‘nuf said.
1. Squatty potties for above mentioned reasons. Blech!
SQUATTIES ‘ROUND THE WORLD
And just for some added fun, I thought I’d give you a tour of the squatties we’ve seen on every continent!
Utupampa, Peru
…yep, that tarp with huge holes is the door! fun fun!
Mozambique, Africa
an even closer photo would show the maggots going crazy at the bottom of this long drop! mmmmm….
University in China
yes, those stalls are only 4 ft. tall–say hi to your neighbor! I say that if you’re going to make the step up to a porcelain toilet you might as well have a seat on it…come on people!
Well, that’s it! I hope you enjoyed the tour!
Now do you see why I’m excited for home?!
Only a few more days and I can’t wait! Yay!
