Let me preface this with– please don’t freak out.
When walking around and riding the local public transportation, we are told to be careful about the things we carry. For the first couple of weeks I took nothing with me, but after a while you realize that if you’re going to be gone the entire day, you’re going to need your stuff.
To make a long story short, the other day our contact Joseph protected us from some guys who planned to take some of our stuff from our bags in the matatu, a van crammed full of people and a guy who hangs out of the door yelling and taking your money (because you’re paying, not because he’s stealing.)
So after Joseph yelled at the guys who had bad intentions and they got off at the next stop, Aubrey and I kind of laughed the situation off considering World Racers carry some of the most useless stuff (to others) in our bags.
Last month I started a feature in my journal called “What’s in my bag” to be able to look back and look at the necessities we have on the race that we don’t necessarily have at home.
There are the basic necessities that never leave the bag, such as–
A Bible
MP3 player (I am pretty sure I’m the only racer out right now who doesn’t own an Ipod. I know, I’m old school, but I like myself that way J )
Pens
Sunglasses
Camera
Wallet
Truth journal (full of bible verses that tell me who I am in Christ and who God is. Ex: I am redeemed, chosen, a co-heir with Christ, etc. He is good, awesome, my creator, etc.)
A blank notebook
Regular journal
Hand sanitizer
Then there are the things you’d never carry at home, which I hope you think are funny. I do. Just a side note…I don‘t always carry these, but I have at some point since I‘ve started the “What‘s in my bag” feature” —
Headlamp
A pair of wet socks and underwear
Cord adapter
Reader’s Digest (that I found in Turkey for the bargain price of $35 million. Just kidding, but it was expensive)
Cold medicine
Christmas gifts for Jodi, Colin, Robin and Aubrey (it’s the race, of course that many gifts fit in a purse—they were bought at the Lira store [Turkey‘s dollar store]!)
Postcards
Benadryl
Bottle of black currant Fanta (with about three sips left)
Deep Woods OFF!
Robin’s and my nametags
Matt’s copper bracelet
Someone else’s headband (never found the owner)
Matt’s earring
All of that to say that I’m glad we didn’t get pick pocketed, but if we had, the assailants would have had a good dose of truth, wouldn’t have suffered from allergies, would have been able to see in the dark, and definitely would not have succeeded in stealing a lot of money from this mzungu…
On that note, I’m not really sure how I feel about being called a mzungu, the term for white people. I realize I’m lighter skinned than Africans are, but it’s the first time I’ve ever been considered white. So when people yell mzungu as we’re walking down the street, I still don’t know if they’re talking about me or if there is a term for someone who is brown, not white. I don’t think there is.
Anyway, since being on the race, it’s been interesting to hear what people think I am. I mean, first and foremost I’m a person, but anytime people ask where I’m from and I say “Texas,” “America,” or “the United States,” it’s usually followed by something along the lines of, “But you look different.” I then explain that I was born in the U.S., but my parents are from Mexico so I’m Mexican-American.
It’s been fun hearing the different guesses concerning my nationality/ethnicity. So I’ve also started the “You look different” feature in my journal. I thought I’d share with you the list of places people have guessed where I’m from.
Interestingly enough, nobody has correctly guessed my ethnic background.
Romanian gypsy
Philippines
Thailand
China
The Middle East in general
Pakistan
Israel (this one is a popular one here in Kenya)
Japan
Asia in general
India
Brazil
I’m sure the list will continue to grow…I can’t wait to hear what people in Asia have to say!
