It’s kind of ridiculous the things that become “normal” while on the World Race. Especially things that you learned were socially unacceptable your entire life.
For example, wearing the same outfit three days in a row. At home, not okay. Here, perfectly normal.
Not showering everyday…or even every three days. At home, gross. Here, normal.
Cramming way more people than possible into any sort vehicle. At home, heck no. Here, typical travel day.
Laying in bed, realizing there are ants crawling on you. At home, I would run and grab some sort of spray. Here, I just roll over and fall asleep.
Standing outside while bats fly about 3 inches over your head. At home, I would have run away. Here, I don’t even duck.
Sleeping with a mosquito net every night. At home, I’d buy a new screen. Here, I’m being protected from malaria.
Hanging your clothes outside to dry. At home, I need to buy a new dryer. Here, well, I don’t think dryers exist outside the US…
Living with 5 people you met about three months ago. At home, sorry, I don’t want to be on the Real World. Here, you just get used to it because they’re not going anywhere.
Having people yell “white people” at you everywhere you go. At home, someone would be in trouble. Here, you pretend you’re a celebrity and continue on your way.
Cooking meals without any seasoning. At home, you would run to the nearest store and buy some. Here, you deal with the fact that seasonings are out of our budget.
Riding in the bed of a truck on a bumpy dirt road, up some random mountain. At home, I’m pretty sure riding in the bed of a truck is illegal. Here, it’s my favorite part of the day.
Getting told you’re going to be preaching at church this Sunday. At home, I would say, “umm, no thank you.” Here, I say, “sounds good.”
Having a time basically everyday where you sit down with people and give them positive and constructive feedback. At home, that seems absurd. Here, normal and necessary.
Getting thrown out of your comfort zone, put into a place of serious spiritual growth where you have to humble yourself before God, be vulnerable with the people around you and love and serve everyone you meet. At home, that sounds like a lot of work and knowing me, a lot of crying. Here, well, that is the definition of here.
Needless to say, the World Race has changed my definition of normal. Right now I have a gecko living in my bathroom. I named him Alfred. The big one in our living room is Herman and I haven’t gotten around to naming any of the others, mainly because I don’t see them every day. At home, I would probably scream if I saw any sort of lizard in my house. But here, I’m just thankful they are eating the flying malaria (aka mosquitoes).
After this month I will sadly be half way with my route. I’m excited to find out all the other things that will become normal to me. And I wonder what my “normal” will be when I return to the states?
