Life on the race is not made with built in alone time. For 11 months, you are surrounded by a minimum of five other people. Right now, our entire squad is together so I’m surrounded by a minimum of about 50. As someone who gets reenergized by alone time, this was a huge worry of mine…
This month in Haiti, our day off is Monday and we are not allowed off the compound (except to sit on the beach or swim in the ocean that is right outside our compound). So, that day consists of 40some Americans, 1 Canadian, and some Haitians spending time on the compound or on the beach. Needless to say, not much privacy or alone time possible.
This past Monday, our squad leaders planned a day trip to a beach about two hours away (two hours by car, without stops). It wasn’t required, but everyone decided to go. Well, everyone except me and my friend/squadmate Christina. So when everyone grabbed their suits and hopped onto our old school bus at 8am, Christina and I sat in hammocks in the shade and read.
Christina and Me
While everyone was…
…on the bus from 8am-11:45am, we were reading, relaxing and having great conversation.
…exploring the beach and renting surf boards, we were writing blogs and emails to post/send the next time we got the internet.
…eating lunch made by locals, we were eating lunch made by other locals just for us.
…learning to surf and buying bracelets, I was playing guitar, doing my laundry, cutting Christina’s bangs, and enjoying our alone time.
…riding the bus back from 4:30-8:00pm, we were watching a movie and eating dinner without the distraction of 46 other people.
…just getting back to the compound, exhausted from a day in the sun and in the ocean, we were fully rested and enjoying the nice ocean breeze…
I’m not saying people didn’t have a great day at the beach, I’m just saying I had an amazing day at home. God knew I needed my time alone and He gave it to me.
Life on the race is not made with built in alone time. But God knows what we need, He is good, and He always provides, even in the chaos.
I had about 12 hours alone (with one other person is as alone as you can get) so hopefully that will last me another two months!
