Going to so many places on the race that your not familiar with ,you notice cultural differences very quickly. Some are very obvious and others take a little more time but either way you find yourself in situations you normally wouldn’t back in the states. Yes they can be awkward most of the time but I ve learned how these differences can ignite growth and realize what an abundance of everything I had back in the states. So here is a list I put together of what I took for granite back in America.
1. A bedroom with a bed in it. On the race my bed is an awesome air rail mattress pad from REI which I am truly thankful for,and my quarter dome REI tent is my bedroom, also very cozy.They have the same purpose as a bedroom and bed but yet it’s not the same,same same but different! On the rare occasion I get to sleep in a bedroom with a real mattress I don’t want to leave the bed because it’s such a treat!
2. Bathrooms! Everything about a bathroom back in America is luxurious,sinks, toilets and showers with hot water and faucets ,seem fancy comparatively.Bathrooms are much more basic most of the places on the race. Yes you can still do all the same things but just differently, again same same but different! Here is a shower,toilet and sink In Asia!
3. Foooood! In America it’s easy to drive down a popular strip in the city and find a dozen different options. In other countries you do find some very westernized cities where this can also be the case but more likely than not in smaller areas you have street vendors and local delicious cultural cuisine. The food is usually very good but the options can be very limited. So rice and veggies may be your option for awhile. It’s also something not a lot of people have much of in some countries, so making good choices is important. But Sometimes you just really crave some pizza and fries which can be found if you search a little ; )
4. Clothes! Ok I’ll admit I may have overpacked coming on the race but in comparison to my closet I’ve seriously downsized and still see myself realizing I don’t need something’s. I can remember looking through my closet and never touching certain sweaters because I had so many to choose from and same goes with my shoes. I find my favorites of things and keep them in rotation, and just forget about the extra and think one day. Perhaps that’s the cue to donate, either way I never found myself without what I need and honestly I ve only ran into that a few times on the race where I could use clothes I don’t have. But what I have seen is numerous children naked or wearing the same clothes for numerous days and think how much more I need to think about my needs differently. Is it truly a need to have an abundance? It can be healthy to go without what you may need for a time. I believe I will appreciate it way more once I have only one of it!
5. Communication! It’s so easy to give someone a call, send an email or Facebook MSG whatever is your go to and it’s done in a moment back home. Yea that doesn’t happen as quickly in other countries without a cell phone. Wifi is a hot commodity and not always easy,It’s usually a journey a good 40 mins to the one coffe shop with wifi which may or may not work that day.But man do you utilize it when you get service, you FaceTime everyone and mass email the crew. Its taught me to have much more meaningful conversations whenever I get them because it might be weeks until they happen again.
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Finances
My final deadline is a little over a month away and I’m currently $5,000. from meeting the goal. Prayers,donations or spreading the word about my journey would be most helpful, wherever you are led. Donations can be made on this site or by sending a check. If you have any questions please email me at [email protected]
thanks for reading all!
