My awesome squadmate Kursti and I wrote this while enjoying the South African weather! I hope you enjoy reading it in whatever weather you're in!
This is the beginning of the end.
It's all down hill from this moment.
I have made it to the end of month 6 which also means that I have made it past the half way point.
I started this crazy, radical thing 6 months ago
As I am writing this I am sitting outside watching my teammates and other squad mates:
relax in the small hammock community in the trees
cook on the fire
& mop with the water from the spicket outside
I am looking at:
laundry hanging from any board or hanging place outside,
the tent village that we have created
& the forrest that is behind the place we have called home for the past 3 weeks.
THIS is the World Race.
THIS is my normal.
THIS is my life.
- I have forgotten how to live without at least 1 person beside me all the time
- I don't remember the month it is, only the country I am in
- I rarely ever remember the date or the day of the week
- I find the cheapest thing on the menu just so I can use the internet at the cafe
- It is expected of me to share my feeling anytime anyplace, and I will gladly do it
- Hammocks have become my couch
- Driving myself anywhere is not an option anymore
- I don't have an apartment, just a tent
- It is now understood that getting from point A to point B will take at least 3 days
- Only spending 10 hours on a bus is exciting
- Not showering for 3 days is normal
- I am now able to sleep: On a train, on a bus, on the floor, on top of bags, at the bus station, at the airport and sitting upright
- I am amazed at the food we can make without an oven or a stove
- I can now pack all of my belongings in less than 30 minutes, including my housing
- Cornflakes for breakfast and peanut butter and bread for lunch are the routine
- Mirrors are now a luxury, because I only see myself in the reflection of the window glass
- No matter the season my wardrobe does NOT change.
- I've become a math whiz constantly figuring out exchange rates to see if the coke is worth the price
- Bug spray and sunscreen are valuable commodities
- "Going out" now means going to the nearest gas station, convenient store or tienda
- I haven't had an address in 6 months (in fact I currently have no idea where I am)
- When I say "thank you" to someone it comes out in multiple languages
- I have forgotten what my life was like before the race
- I am AMAZED at how much love my heart can hold for the beautiful children and the new relationships I have made around the world thus far
THIS is the World Race.
THIS is my normal.
THIS is my life.
