Life around the World.

I can’t even count the number of times I’ve had to sleep on the floor this year. Thank goodness for sleeping pads! I have ‘making my bed’ down to a science.

I drink ALOT of water, and most countries do not recommend drinking strait from the tap. For some reason I’d always be dying of thirst when security would make me dump my water in an airport, or the water tank would run out in Africa. Don’t worry, I just took a series of de-worming meds.

So if it’s not enough that we had to filter and boil our water, most people in Africa have to walk miles and miles to get water from a well. We helped pump and carry water all one day… notice I didn’t say two days. That’s hard work!

Walls.

Alot of the schools in Asia are so poor that they have numerous classes in one room. It’s extremely loud, but they make it work- Just face different directions. In Nepal, we lived for a month in a ‘treehouse’ room with paper thin floors and walls that didn’t even reach the ceiling. If you stood up in the squatty potty bathroom all the way, you could see right into our bedroom.

Furniture.

I’ve lived almost en entire year with my pack serving as my ‘closet’. I’ve managed just fine using bags for ‘drawers’. Nightstand? Unheard of this past year… And possibly the piece of furniture I miss most.

Vendors in Asia have this thing with putting ur drinks in baggies. It makes sense I guess, but I burnt my hand numerous times with hott coffee bags. Nothing beats good mug handle.

Seats.

You name it… I’ve probably ridden on it this year. Pretty sure America is the only nation with transportation and occupancy laws. Seat belts & Personal space? What’s that?

Ladders.

For some reason, I did alot of painting this year… and alot of chair stacking. Only fell once. =)

Garbage Cans.

Lots of Asian countries throw they’re trash on the ground… especially India. I’d say it was hard for me to do, but it was actually fun. Done with your water? Throw it out the train window. Done with your candy bar? Throw the wrapper over ur shoulder.

So we were given some big tasks this year, and no equipment. Where’s a Home Depot when you need one? I was whacking down entire jungles of vines in Thailand, installing flooring with safety scissors in India, and swinging shovels to cut bushes for burning.

Hot showers. Any Shower.

True Story. I was d-i-r-t-y this year. dumping cold water on your head with a cup doesn’t exactly count as a legit shower.