So since I’ve been gone, I’ve learned a lot. The world and your experiences are constantly teaching you; it’s up to you if you want to observe and learn. These are 11 truths, observations, lessons, whatever you want to call them that I’ve gleaned from the race so far ranging anywhere from sisters to soda.
- Squatties get a bum rap (I’m actually hilarious and punny…try to keep up). Seriously though, squatties get a lot of hate. People seem to picture the worst kind (hole in ground) but honestly they’re pretty great. It’s more efficient, you get out of there quicker, and anthropologically speaking it’s the way we were designed to defecate…. This month we’ve had English toilets in our house and I’ve experienced a bit of reverse culture shock. My thighs hurt from sitting on the toilet after getting used to squatting… Is that a third world or a first world problem or a weird combo?
- Coca-Cola is NOT the same everywhere. If you knew me in the states you know that I would have a Cherry Coke almost every day (shocker that I’ve lost weight on the race). In Africa the Coke was less fizzy and it made my heart sad. I’m happy to report that Asian Coke is pretty good; I even found Vanilla Coke in the grocery store!
- Eating with your hands is super fun! Growing up, you were told not to play with your food. This is basically an open invitation to revert to your childhood while enjoying deliciously flavorful and spicy Indian food.
- Dove pomegranate body wash is superior. This month my team made that glorious purchase and I think it’s one of the best decisions we (I #treasurerperks) have made. After using bars of soap on the race thus far, this body wash reminded me that the small pleasures of life are really what keep you going. That the world doesn’t have to be a cruel place. That you can in fact feel clean after a shower.
- American healthcare is overpriced. While I’m sure that we have great qualifications, superior medicine, etc. It’s so much cheaper here! In Nepal, I went to the hospital. We took my $4 ambulance ride to the hospital where throughout the course of spending the night I received 6 IVs for a grand total of… $36! I spent more on my tax return.
- Wifi is the drug of choice in the 21st century. I’m not condemning any of my squadmates who read this because I am equally as guilty. It’s consuming. This is the first month that I’ve had internet where I’m staying. It’s so easy to fall back into habits. I find myself checking Facebook 5 minutes after I closed it. That’s actually ridiculous.
- Living in 24/7 community is pretty great. Shout out to RaeLynn and Carly for trekking through this with me since Day 1. Disclaimers: 1) Now I’m not saying that I want to do this forever. I’m pretty pumped to get my own apartment upon returning with maybe one roommate and time to myself. 2) Living in the right community makes a difference. Surrounding yourself with people who are going to raise you higher is the way to go. Obviously living in a brothel or a drug den is technically community but I’m not advocating that!
- Our bodies are much more capable than we givethem credit for. Example 1) I’ve white water rafted the Nile, gone paragliding, trekked and forded rivers in Nepal and I’m still totally alive! Example 2) I’ve only gotten seriously sick once which is more thanI can say for living in America.
- It’s so easy to fall in love…with children. Don’t get any crazy ideas about blossoming romances. Babies and kids have a way of stealing my heart away. There’s always going to be that little one that you want to take with you.
- Living with 6 other girls basically means that your wardrobe has expanded six-fold. We all bought dresses at the Russian market the other week. Good luck figuring out based off of Facebook pictures which dresses belong to which girl
- Life doesn’t have to be stressful. No huge explanation or disclaimer with this one. I’m still a long shot from a go with the flow type B personality but I’ve learned that I’ve brought a lot of unnecessary stress on myself. Why do it? Let go and let God.
Thanks for reading my 11 things that I’ve learned on the race so far! I’ve learned countless lessons and I’m sure I’ll learn many as I continue on this race.
Running with endurance,
Katie
