I’m taking a break from my Distraction series. Not because I’m bored of it, but because I feel like I need to give you guys some variety every now and then.
World racers all know the pain of travel days. One “travel day” between countries can sometimes actually look like three to five consecutive days. On my team’s way to Peru, we rode one bus for 9 hours, sat in a bus terminal for 5 or 6 hours, then rode another bus for another 19 hours. All in all, not really a terrible amount of time. We arrived on Sunday, but other teams on my squad won’t arrive to their final destination in Peru until tomorrow, I believe. Almost a full week of travel for them. So many hours can sound like torture, but today I’m gonna tell you all why sitting in a cramped bus/plane/terminal/airport with the same people for 40 hours doesn’t have to suck.
1) You can people-watch in an environment unlike any other
This is kinda weird, but you definitely are able to watch people in a setting you don’t normally see them in. It gives you a bit more insight into the people you live life with. You can also people-watch strangers at the terminal, that’s pretty fun too. Humans are fascinating. Catching a joyful moment when I know nothing about the context always makes me smile. Just to think about each individual being in the room and about how Jesus is doing things in their lives even if they don’t know it amazes me.
2) There’s usually access to coffee/snacks at some point that aren’t available day-to-day
This travel day we got Dunkin Donuts coffee and KFC for lunch. Woah. Can we just…let that sink in for a minute. Talk about holla fo a dolla, am I right ladies?
3) Time to rest and unwind
While you’re sitting in whatever kind of seat provided for you have so much time to just sit and think about where you just came from and where you’re going and how you’re gonna enter this new part of life. Make some new goals! Evaluate what God has done in you in the past month or so, and try and implement the things He’s taught you into the coming weeks. And…just take a nap. Or two. Or three. The sky’s the limit on travel day, for real.
4) Intentional time with people
Travel days are a great time to corner people and talk to them when they can’t escape. Been trying to talk with someone for a month and haven’t found the time? Go sit next to them in their row, ask them some questions, check in on them. It’s the perfect time.
5) Potential to meet new people
You never know what’s going to happen when you’re just chilling in an airport or a bus terminal. On Saturday, my team became friends with this teeny lil’ girl who just hopped over to our area and decided to hang out with us for an hour or so. It brought us a lot of happiness on a slow day, not gonna lie.
6) They’re just cool
Travel days are so dope! You’re literally moving between towns, cities, countries even! In a matter of hours! Modern transportation is so crazy, and the opportunities we’re presented with because of this blows my mind.
I honestly think God blessed me with the ability to adjust easily to&enjoy some things that other people just kinda hate, and travel days may be one of those things. Something about them, even if I’m sleep deprived, makes me so happy.
Anyway, I’m in Peru now! Living in a town called Placasmayo, which is a pretty small town right on the coast. We’re working with our hosts to help out their churches and their after school program. This is going to look like cleaning, painting murals, teaching English lessons, evangelism, and whatever else they may need! Stay tuned to my blog, my instagram, and my facebook to see more details along the way.
Everyone! I am LITERALLY less than $800 away from being fully funded. I know I say it every time I do a fundraising update, but I really am just in awe of how God has used you all to provide for me. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. My Adopt-a-Box fundraiser is still going on, and there are 24 boxes adopted so far! Only 16 more boxes need to be adopted until I’ll start putting names in a drawing to win souvenirs from each country I’m going to! I bought the souvenir from Ecuador a couple weeks ago, and it’s preetttty cool if I say so myself! If you’d like to adopt a box, please comment or message me on social media! The goal is to be fully funded by Christmas, which is totally possible. Thank you for your support, everyone!
BONUS PICS
The little playground at the after school program we live and work at for the month.
Riding in the van from our hosts’ house back to where we stay
The Pacific Ocean! Heyoo
