On April 16th we reached the one third mark of the race. At times it barely seems possible we have been here that long. Then I look back and realize that being in New Zealand feels like a lifetime ago. Time is a funny thing on the race. It speeds by you and at the same time can feel as if it is dragging. Still, at this point in the race there are some things I have learned and become use to that wouldn’t be the case if I were living back in the States. So here is my list, some are funny, some are serious, but all are so true.
Sweating is just a way of life when you are chasing summer around the globe.
Nowhere on earth is as hot and humid as Darwin, Australia in February. . .at least nowhere I’ve been yet.
New Zealand is the most beautiful country I have ever seen and I’d gladly go back again.
Not smelling pleasant is also a way of life, even if you do take two or three showers a day.
Taking two or three showers a day helps keep you cool when it’s ridiculasly hot outside.
Washers are a blessing, dryers are an extra blessing.
When going to a place they filmed a movie, it won’t neccasarly look like the scenes from the movie. . .for instance Isengard from Lord of the Rings was a Frisbee golf coarse and we didn’t see much resemblance to the actual movie.
Wearing the same clothes three days in a row is really not such a big deal and espcailly common on travel days.
Sleeping in an airport is surprisingly common place.
I prefer sleeping in the airport. . .that way I am already there at whatever insane hour we are leaving and I don’t have to worry about getting there on time.
You’re flight is cancelled and you are spending the day in the airport is no big deal.
Travel days mean you can get some good food as the team has left over cash that has to be spent before leaving the country, or some generous person gives you money just because.
The ocean is not always safe. . .sometimes crocodiles will eat you if you get in the water.
Don’t expect to see much milk that is like ours in the States, it’s a rare commodity.
Oreos are everywhere, so is Coke though it doesn’t taste the same as back home.
Asia loves karaoke and even has whole TV stations devoted to it.
When you have to carry all you own on your back, you really begin to think about whether or not you really need that many shirts, or the extra hat and gloves you brought for the last few months.
There is no such thing as your own room anymore, you share with at least one other person and more commonly four other people.
Alone time means you have your headphones in.
Your teammates literally become your family in a few short months.
Teaching English is tough, even if you’ve spoke it your whole life.
When an adorable two year old Filippino boy wraps his tiny arms around your next and hugs you tight your heart melts.
When you say good-bye to the kids who touched your life for five weeks your heart breaks.
A surprise birthday party with pizza, cake, a movie and your teammates equals one fantastic birthday.
You learn to trust your teammates quickly when they are your eyes and keep you from getting hit by cars while you ride a bike through the city.
It isn’t easy to find cake, candles, and balloons for a surprise birthday party in Kampong Cham, Cambodia.
A small handheld fan would have been a good investment and use of pack space in retrospect.
If you are a future racer and your route doesn’t bring you through anywhere cool or cold don’t bring a sleeping bag, save some weight and pack a blanket instead. I’ve not found a need for my sleeping bag yet.
There are amazing people all over the world doing God’s work and bringing Him glory everywhere.
God is super faithful and amazingly awesome. He blesses us more than we deserve and loves us so much all we have to do is trust that He knows what is best and follow Him, even if it is scary.
Walk slowly through the crowds, you don’t want to miss anyone who you could reach out to.
I’m sure there is so much more that I have learned, but for now this is the list. Expect updates to this at other benchmarks in the year.
