So…there is another side of me besides being a self proclaimed ‘bad girl’. This is the high maintenance, diva side of me. And the thing is, it is common with bad girls to have these traits as well. I have been known to spend over 2 hours straightening my hair. Or buying clothes that sit in my closet for months (or even years) before I wear it. I have even bought an outfit for a night, wore it, and returned it the next day.
If that isn’t high maintenance, then I don’t know what is. I say that to say this, the world race came as a shock to me.
I knew some things would be different. I have heard stories of squatty potties and ice cold bucket showers. I’ve heard about being constantly sweaty and wearing the same outfit for days at a time. But somehow I thought I was going to avoid all of this.
I convinced myself that those were just scary stories that world race alumni told to scare the newbies, sort of like you would do to a freshman in high school or college.
In month one, we slept in tents during the rainy season of Guatemala. During month two, we had a concrete hole for a toilet that was filled with cockroaches. For showers, we would get water out of a basin and take a bucket shower. One morning, there was a dead frog in the basin. This month, one hostel we stayed in was in the red light district. We were in a room with a bunch or middle aged men who slept all day and went out at night. Did I mention that they hung out in their underwear and smelled bad too?!
Many crazy experiences have happened. That being said, I survived. I even laughed about it, many times.
The world race wants you to be uncomfortable at times. This is so you can grow by learning what is important and what is not. I am slowly learning this as well. I don’t need a hot shower everyday or to spend hours doing my hair.
God loves me evenif my hair is a mess and my clothes are dirty. He loves me even when I am stinky and sweaty. I love not putting on make up every day and not caring. This is one reason I am thankful for the world race!
