While in many ways the World Race may seem like a rugged, adventurous trip that girly-girls shouldn’t participate in, there are definitely ways that our girly side has been revealed on the race.
Even though I only brought three shirts with me on the race, I have had the opportunity to share clothes with my new roommates, as well as shop for new clothes at a fraction of the price of American clothes. There’s a touristy area in Kathmandu, Nepal, and our team has been able to bond through shopping in it.
When we left for the jungle, we really had no idea what we were getting into. It was definitely very difficult because of the heat; I literally didn’t stop sweating for 17 days straight. While this situation doesn’t sound enticing, or even acceptable, to a normal American girl, we were able to turn it into something fun. Instead of taking showers in the outhouse, we had spa day! We would gather our shampoo, conditioner, soap, and razors, and meet up by the hand pump. There, we took turns washing each others’ hair. After our hair was all clean and our scalps massaged, we would sit around the pump and wash off our arms as some other girls shaved their legs. To take it a step further, some of us even put on nail polish. Josi had me color her hair and give her a haircut, too!
Now that we’re back from the jungle, we have had many opportunities to feel like girls again.
Since we’re not sweating here in Kathmandu, we started wearing makeup. It’s so strange to see myself and others in makeup after we haven’t worn it in two months. Along with that, we were able to have a ladies night at the resort.
All five ladies from my team got dressed up in the last of our clean clothes and walked to the resort. As we walked past the iron gates and up staircase after staircase, we couldn’t help but say that this place was fancy. We felt underdressed in our mismatched outfits and chacos. We made it to the restaurant and were seated at a table. I know that doesn’t sound like a lot, but going to a restaurant where someone waits on you after you haven’t been for two months is really a luxurious experience. We sat around the table eating ice cream and drinking milkshakes. We shared all different kinds of desserts and sipped our loose leaf tea. We talked about boys and shopping and laughed so hard. Josi showed us how to make farting noises with straws, and we sneak attacked the boys with our straws.
It really has been so great growing as a family together with the girls (and boys) on my team. It is so comforting that we are all in this together, and despite our diverse backgrounds, we have all learned how to live below the poverty line and find joy in the small things in life.
