In my last blog I shared pictures and a video about my day trip to Budapest, Hungary. That was definintely not a “normal” day on the Race, though that term is held very loosely these days. Just when you start to get into a “normal” routine, it changes.
Daily plans change.
Expectations change.
Routes change.*
So, in an effort to balance the two, here’s some normal, yet not-so-normal daily activities on the Race in Romania:
Laundry. Clothes inevitably get dirty and you should wash them but Racers tend to wait as long as possible before doing laundry (especially if it costs money). This month I kept all of my dirty laundry in a drawer to contain the stench.
"Dirty" laundry drawer.
In 4 weeks, I did laundry 1.5 times. Yep, that’s right. I washed my clothes half way through the month and shared a load with a teammate at the end of the month. How did I manage that? Well, if everyday you wear the same outfit to work (pants and a sweatshirt), to exercise (shorts and a t-shirt), and to lounge (sweaties), then you don’t dirty very many clothes. Dressing up consists of jeans and a black t-shirt; extra dressy is when you put a scarf on.
You may think that’s gross but when everyone else is doing it, you tend not to notice. Actually it’s quite nice to not have the focus be on appearance.
Although, I have been turning some heads with the latest World Race fashion statement.
Purple pants.
That’s right. The washing machine here in Romania has been pumping out some odd colored clothing. Though my jeans have been washed multiple times with my red Puma hoodie, it decided to stain my jeans a lovely reddish-purple hue. Since they’re my only jeans, I’m now sporting some sweet pantalones.
Though it's hard to see in the photo,my only pair of jeans now has a purplish-red hue to them. Gracias laundry machine!
Milk. That’s the next normal, yet not-so-normal daily activity that I’d like to share with you.
Every day one of our team members walks about a quarter mile to the milk house. There they fill up two 2 L bottles of 4% milk. That’s right, 4% milk!
Nicole on a milk run.
Because I want to share all of my experiences with you, I made a video of a normal milk run. Why not? It’s entitled Moo Juice.
What would a milk run be with out a tractor ride?!
Finally, I would like to introduce you to Sphynxie. He’s been my pet lizard for this month.
My pet lizard, Sphynxie.
We found Sphynxie at our work site a few days after our arrival. I wrapped him in some extra toilet paper (a Racer always carries some) and nestled him into the pouch of my hoodie. He was so cold he could barely move. Nearing his deathbed, I nursed him back to health and kept him in a Tupperware container in my room.
Buddies.
No, this is not normal, even for a Racer. Some of my teammates were thoroughly disgusted and think I’m strange. But he brought plenty of joy and entertainment during the 3 weeks he was with us. Did we make a video about him? Yes, yes we did!
My squadmate, Emily, shared my excitement in having a pet lizard.
So there you have it, 3 sort-of normal things from my time in Romania.
*We were just informed that our last country will not be Vietnam as we originally planned, but Malaysia. I’m excited!
