Today was incredible! Please note that not all days on the race are this jammed packed. But since SO much happened today, I wanted to write it down to give you a glimpse into some of the many things we get to do here. (Pictures Included.)
Journal Entry: 30 May 2014
- Wake up at 5:30 am. Do Yoga on the balcony.
- Review new budget for Month 6. Update spreadsheet for finances.
- Meet contacts at burger joint next door at 8:00 am.
- Quick orientation of Burma and break-down of the day’s schedule.
- Walk a couple blocks to catch a “songtao” (taxi) to the Burma/Thailand border. Wipe sweat from forehead before it drips into your eyes.
- Cross the border into Burma! Passport stamped! Country #6!
- Cram 10 people into a van to go to a brick-making village.
- Arrive at village. Receive hugs from several kids. Hand out fruit.
- Pray for woman who is currently sick with a fever.
- Spend the morning coloring pages with kids. Tip: sit on Chaco’s to avoid sitting directly on the dirt.
- See “sick” woman up and walking around with a smile on her face, feeling better.
- Leave village and go to lunch.
- Eat authentic Muslim food. Drink Burmese tea. Question why they drink hot tea in hot weather.
- Walk several blocks to a village were lepers live. Wipe sweat from forehead.
- Spend the afternoon sitting with a sassy great-grandma who has leprosy, communicating through a translator.
- Sit on a set of make-shift stairs, helping a local woman bundle up kindling to sell for $0.13 per bundle.
- Find a baby chick. Name it Joe.
- Leave village. Walk several more blocks to a temple. Finish the last drops of water in your Nalgene.
- Find the temple that looks like a crocodile. Walk around the temple and learn about the life of Buddha.
- Sit outside the temple, in the shade, and pray for the country and the people.
- Walk back to the border. Wipe more sweat away.
- Thank God for helping get the visas renewed for 30 days (instead of only 15 days)!
- Stop at local cafe. Drink a bottle of ice cold water.
- Grab another “songtao” to Casa Mia for dinner. Have great conversations with World Race alumni.
- Eat Burmese Tea Leaf Salad and Yellow Curry Pumpkin and Chicken dish. Drink a gallon of water to douse the spice.
- Walk a couple blocks back home. Shower is required at this point.
- Go downstairs to the bike shop where there is live music, played by local bands, hosted by your ministry contacts.
- Meet awesome people from around the world while listening to music sung English, Thai, and Burmese.
- Hang out in the local burger joint, Famous Ray’s, with squad mates that are passing through on their way to Burma.
- Watch 2 squad mates complete the Monster Challenge (burger with 3 patties, onion rings, fried pickles, and milkshake) under 15 minutes.
- Head upstairs to write a blog about one of your most favorite days on the race.
