- A washing machine vs. doing laundry by hand
- Real flush toilets vs. squatty-potties, outdoor latrines, or toilets you flush with a bucket
- Sewer systems that can handle toilet paper vs. having to throw it in a trashcan
- Real showers (running water) vs. bucket showers
- Hot water vs. cold
- Sleeping on a real bed vs. a mat on the floor
- A physical space to keep belongings vs. a mobile backpack
- A bedroom [with a door] vs. living in a community space (or a tent) without privacy.
- Mobile access to internet vs. walking or driving at least a half hour to an internet café (I think this one is both a blessing and curse ;-))
- A wall mirror somewhere vs. using a meniscal travel-size (or none)
- Brushing teeth with tap water vs. using bottled water
- Ice for drinks vs. none
- Real brewed coffee vs. 3-in-1 packets (instant coffee, creamer, sugar) or Americano’s
- Milk and cheese vs. none
- Forming my own schedule vs. following another’s direction
- A home vs. moving every month
- A bathroom cabinet/closet/shelf vs. a shower bag
- Refrigeration vs. none
- A real pillow vs. a travel sized (and the associated neck stiffness)
- A means of personal transportation vs. depending on others. For everything.
But there are plenty of things here that I’ll miss when I get home. So, I’ll live in the moment here and now: making the most of opportunities within the local community and my team, embracing the challenges (and subsequent growth), and I’ll take the same opportunistic approach when I get home. At least, that’s my goal.
