I think it’s good for everyone to travel to a different country at some point in their lives. Sometimes we forget how different the world is out there. It gives us appreciation for what we have and understanding for people who are different from us. Here’s 11 very different things they do overseas that wouldn’t fly in the U.S.
1. Using the bathroom on the side of the road (or in a trench)
In Africa there were no bathrooms on the long distance charter buses. We would just ask the bus driver to stop. The men would stay near the bus and us women would trek into the woods, sometimes in the night and go wherever we could find a spot. There was a time at a bus station where we went through a narrow walk way to find a concrete trench. After looking around confused for a moment, the local ladies showed us how it was done.
2. Transportation drivers stopping to get gas or pick up personal goods to transport home.
This happened regularly in Africa. We’d get on a charter bus or in a van and then drive to a gas station to get gas. This happened in Indonesia as well with our Grab(Uber equivalent) drivers. In Africa, we also would stop on the side of the highway to pick up boxes of stuff the driver would want to take home. Sometimes it took up extra space that we had paid for and then had trouble loading our things. Once we also picked up an evangelist and drove around for an hour while he preached. Then got gas… We left really late that day. Very interesting experience though.
3. No apparent traffic laws
This happened in Africa and again in Indonesia. No one stops at traffic lights and you can create a third or fourth lane if you like. Go ahead and pass on the highway when a car is coming. They’ll just use the shoulder. Kids don’t ride in car seats and people ride with babies on their backs or in their laps when riding on Motos(mopeds/motorcycles). It seems to work for them and may be all they can afford. So many people do it, that it’s not strange around here.
4. No running/hot water
In Africa, we did find running water, but it was never heated. In Cote d’Ivoire, our water would shut off in the evening, so some of us would shower with a bucket of water collected earlier in the day. In Ghana, it was only bucket showers and we flushed with a bucket of water. We had a big tub in our bathroom that we refilled every afternoon by running back and forth from the well to the house. Thailand and Malaysia were the only two countries with running, hot water. What a treasure.
5. No A/C
So here’s the thing. Before the Race began, I asked God for one thing, AC. I knew it was unlikely, but I just don’t function well when it gets really hot and I pretty much turn into one big rash (you’re welcome for that fun info). So I prayed for it. Nothing’s too big or too small, right? Our first week in Cote d’Ivoire we stayed at a wonderful woman’s house until our hosts could find us a place to live. There was no AC, but we got fans. It was hard, but it was doable. Sleeping was rough, but you get used to it. After we moved though, we got an apartment with AC. It was still a little warm during the day because the windows didn’t close well in the kitchen, but at night we slept like angels. My team got AC in every country after that I still pray for it, and I won’t let anyone make be feel bad for it. ??
In all the countries we’ve been to, we have been asked to turn off all electricity including AC when we weren’t home and sometimes we were given time limits. In Togo we were only allowed two hours a night in each room. This was the same when I lived in Japan.
6. Let’s me take a selfie
This happened a lot in Africa and has happened a lot in Indonesia. People want to take pictures of us and with us. I imagine this is what it’s like for movies stars, and I can understand why it gets a little tiring. My teammate Christine keeps saying, “You know we’re just average in America, right?” We’ve taken photos with men, women and people hand us their children. We’ve even taken pictures with the police shaking our hands. Our Grab (local car service like Uber) drivers often take pictures. The hardest is when people don’t ask. They video us and take sneak photos often. We go to the mall and get stopped at least 3 times each trying to buy groceries. I’ve tried to be understanding. It does seem to give them a lot of joy, but sometimes we just keep our heads down and opt for the secret stairway at the back of the building instead of the escalator.
7. Don’t use your left hand!
If you haven’t heard this already, the left hand is notorious for being the poop hand. You know, before toilet paper, people often used the left hand and ate with the right. For that reason, in a lot of third world countries it’s offensive to use your left hand whether it’s for a handshake, a high five it just handing something to someone. One time in Ghana, I saw a woman support her left hand with her right to hand something to someone because her right was dirty and couldn’t be used. I’ve had people look at me confused because I was handing them money with my left. They were trying to figure out how to take it from me. Thank goodness people are really understanding. We usually get away with this stuff because they know we aren’t from around here. A lot of grace is given.
8. No shoes in the house
I’m sure you’ve already heard of this one. Maybe you don’t wear shoes in your house anyway because of that light colored carpet or you’re just tired of constantly sweeping, but most Americans will wear shoes in their houses. When I lived in Japan, I got used to not wearing shoes in the house and actually preferred it. I didn’t know that a lot of West African countries practiced this as well and if course Asia does too. I have indoor and outdoor shoes just because the bathrooms are often wet from the shower not being separated from the toilet. Another thing you find a lot overseas.
9. Tro-Tros and Peet-peets
In West Africa and in Indonesia there’s no local bus. There’s vans with anywhere from 8-13 seats that drive around and you just hop in. It works a lot like a bus but at first it seems really sketchy if you aren’t familiar with it. It’s like hopping into a strange van and paying the guy to take you to the mall. No special uniform for the driver and sometimes no one speaks English. Good luck.
10. Where are you going?
Something we’re often asked in most places we have been. Often it’s by a driver wanting our money and other times it’s just by people wanting to know where we’re going and where we live. We don’t usually tell them because you never know, but it is something we are asked often.
11. Paying to use the public bathroom
We ran into this a lot in West Africa and also Asia. We’re at a bus stop or a public place and have to use the restroom but it isn’t free. Sometimes I’ve forgotten my wallet on the bus or another girl with us has and we have to haggle on the price. Remember that trench I mentioned earlier? Paid to use that. Yep. Also, don’t forget to carry your own toilet paper! None of the bathrooms have it.
Our time overseas has been wonderful and difficult at the same time. It’s hard being so far from the familiar, but it’s been an interesting experience leaving us with a lot of great memories. We’re not here for comfort anyway. We’re here to be stretched so we can grow. We’re here to help others and share the love of Jesus with those who are forgotten or lost. I’m excited for the crazy unexpected things to come and for more adventures!
*Hey friends, I’m $2,375 away from my deadline coming up on the 30th of this month. Please consider partnering with me and make a donation to keep me on the mission field. I’m excited to take you along with me on this cool adventure and show you what your contribution is making possible, so I’m asking you to help me fill up all the letters in the photo below to help me make it to the Philippines! Just donate one of the amounts below and I’ll fill it in. When all the letters are filled in, I’ve reached my goal and I can continue on the mission field. I’m headed to Bali for Debrief, so to say thank you, anyone who donates over $100 will be added to a drawing for a really cool souvenir from Bali!
2 – $500
7 – $100
9 – $50
7 – $25
