Ive been told I have a new vocabulary known as “world race lingo” Here’s a little bit of what I mean when I say words now have a whole new meaning:
“I’m going to take a shower”- pour buckets of water on my head, run in the rain with shampoo, use massive amounts of baby wipes, spray yourself down with axe (not just for 7th grade boys)
“My clothes are clean”- they pass the smell test, been rained on, didn’t spill food on them, aired out on a clothes line
“Dinner”- a meal in the middle of the day consisting of whatever you can find ex-rice and spaghetti sauce, rice cake with peanut butter also see “cooking”
“Cooking”- sitting around a pot over coals on the floor because you’re out of propane, a jar of Nutella and a spoon.
“I’m doing okay”- I do not have malaria, I’m only sweating a little bit, I’m in between mental breakdowns
“Are you sick?”- have you thrown up in the last hour? Have you passed out? Is your fever over 102? No? Then you’re fine.
“I look good today”- refer to “shower” and “clean clothes” also the possibility of brushed hair. Wearing someone else’s clothes and feeling like a super model
“Quiet time with the Lord”- I am putting in my headphones so create the illusion of solitude. Taking a nap (#HolyRest #AsleepInTheFathersArms)
“Team time”- cry, laugh, nap, survive.
“Bed”- nothing more than a place to lay your head temporarily, but really close your eyes. Being horizontal is not a requirement (whaddup bus naps, that window seat though)
“Dishes”- spork, spork, spork. And if all else fails, use a knife or your finger
“Laundry”- fill a bucket with water, stick clothes in, congratulations you have clean clothes. Because your “soap” is what you use to wash your dishes, your clothes, and yourself.
“How’s the bathroom?”- does it have toilet paper? Does it have a toilet seat? Does the toilet flush? Do you flush it with a bucket? Can you flush your toilet paper? Is there a sink to wash your hand after?
“Travel Day”- when your day lasts 48 hours and you’re on a bus for all of it. Make sure you pack your own toilet paper
“Do you have any Advil?”- no but I have cipro, anti-parasitic, and malaria meds.
“Language barrier”- if you can do charades, you can make it just about anywhere. (I don’t even know how to say, I don’t know how to speak French) No problem, no problem.
“Shopping”- trading dresses with your teammates so you don’t wear the same thing every day. See “market shopping”
“Market shopping”- whole chickens, heads included. Vegetable selections limited to onions. Flies everywhere. Hanging dead cows. Being pointed at and pictures being taken of you because you’re white (kinda feel like a celebrity, kinda feel like you’re being stalked)
