That was one of the most miserable nights I’ve ever had. Usually, the power comes on around 9 or 9:30. That results in the fans coming on and my sweat level decreases dramatically. What you have to understand is that no matter what time of the night or day, it is always around 90 to 100 degrees here. Well, the hope that we have in the fans let us down last night. The fans didn’t come on until 12:11. I would know, because I didn’t sleep one wink until then.
Sticking to my sleeping pad, tossing around in my sports bra, being attacked by malaria-ridden mosquitoes, and hearing chanting outside my window all played a toll in my challenging night. There was no comfort and no release. I shut my eyes and thought of home. Of AC. Of a place where I don’t get eaten by bugs and a place where I don’t constantly pour sweat out of every gland of my body. I tried to sleep without an air mattress. I tried listening to my music and then an audio book. I tried going outside. Finally, I laid on the floor and had a mini temper tantrum. This consisted of the following: I blared my music, kicked my feet, and cried. Exhausted, sweatier, and now snotty, I retreated to my air mattress as the power came on and I was able to sleep.
This was my journal entry this morning.
Nepal has been rough for many reasons. I think a lot of it had to do with my expectations.
When I stepped off the plane five days ago, I was so excited about the mountains and the cool temperature outside; I was ready for a month of not sweating. My relaxing time in Kathmandu did not help me prepare for what God had in store for me. I would have never guessed that in Nepal I would have the opportunity to sweat more than I did in India.
Here are some interesting comparisons I’ve already seen between India and Nepal.
In India, we lived by mountains – In Nepal we live in the jungle
In India, everything seemed to be about a half hour late – In Nepal things are pretty prompt
In India, we had a farm with chicken, cows, and dogs – In Nepal we have pigeons and a rice farm
In India, it was hot during the day – In Nepal it’s hot all the time
In India, there were people chanting at night – In Nepal there are frogs and loud bugs as well as chanting
In India, there were ants and bugs in the church – In Nepal there are mosquitoes and rats in the church
In India, we eat rice, chipote, and egg – In Nepal we eat rice, vegetables, beans, and roti
In India, we had one indoor shower and bathroom – In Nepal we have three outside stalls and a water pump
In India, we ate on the floor with our hangs – In Nepal we eat at a table with silverware
In India, we had tea in bed at 7:30 – In Nepal we have tea at the house at 6:30
I have been challenged over and over again with my expectations. While many things have been difficult, I think giving up my expectations has been the biggest hurdle.
These are the day-to-day struggles that we never have to deal with in America.
