This is the classic, "You know you are on the world race when" list. While some things may seem exaggerated, I assure you that they are not. And this is the short version.
You Know You're On The World Race When…
1. You use your shadow as a mirror because you haven't seen a real one in five months.
2. Ants in your toothbrush are no longer a reason to stop brushing your teeth. If they know what's good for them, they'll jump ship.
3. You can't remember what the month you're in is referred to. They are all either a number or the name of a country.
4. You buy the sparkly pink berry shampoo because it's the cheapest and promises to be "2 in 1 shampoo and body wash".
5. When asked where you were last month, you have to think about it for a minute.
6. Jet lag is a foreign concept because you never really leave that state.
7. Despite what your mom told you, you take food from strangers all the time.
8. You fight over the fruit garnish in a drink because you can't waste food.
9. You don't even blink when chickens and other small animals run through the house.
10. Walking down the street and passing cattle and oxen on the sidewalk is normal.
11. Due to the dirty water you've been bucket showering with, a doctor mistakes the dirt on your neck for a skin rash and keeps asking you if it hurts.
12. You name your parasites because, like it or not, you're in this together.
13. Getting thrown up on, peed on, or stepped on are all possible outcomes of a Nepali travel day. Or, all of the above.
14. You are appalled at what the moto taxi driver wants to charge you because you're white. You get the price down to what it should be and later realize that you fought him over 60 cents.
15. Sometimes you get better results by diagnosing yourself and telling a doctor what tests you need.
16. It takes five different trains to get to your ministry for the day in India and you have no idea where you actually ended up.
17. The concept of home has a whole new meaning now.
18. You go Christmas caroling in a tuk tuk and have family night at the arcade.
19. Hearing someone speak English startles you.
20. It's been eleven months since you've had luxuries like face wash, stick deodorant, hot water, and clean feet.
21. Cooking eggs in the microwave for the first time changes the way you view the world.
22. You intentionally dehydrate yourself on travel days and long ministry transportation scenarios so that you don't have to pay to go to the bathroom.
23. You have an almost frantic hoarding mentality about saving and stashing tissues, napkins and anything else that might be used as toilet paper.
24. You barely hesitate now when you find dirt, hair, or bugs in your food.
25. Getting a new shirt from a thrift store is like Christmas morning.
26. Sometimes a smile and a hug express more than words ever could.
27. Teaching an English class at month ten actually improves your own ability to speak the language.
28.By month six, the resolve to shower every day breaks.
29. You splurge on a special occasion and spend $4 on a meal. Later, you chide yourself for being too extravagant.
30. You make friends with the bugs in your room and treat them like pets.
31. It takes five days and five buses to arrive at your location in Africa. 109.5 hours to be exact.
32. No matter where you're from, you learn the true meaning of "humidity" while in Asia.
33. You're fine with living anywhere. House, tent, construction site. Whatever.
