Today after school on the bus (yep, the teachers take buses to school just like the kiddos because we live pretty far from it. Mine is about a 45 minute ride.), we pulled over on the highway to wait for two teachers who had missed it to take a cab to where we were. When I say we pulled over on the highway, I mean we were in the middle of the highway stopped and waiting. You see, driving here is a very different thing from driving in the states - four-lane highways become five and six lanes at high traffic times and blinkers are quite optional; if you want to change lanes (or several), you simply change lanes. No warning needed. So, while traffic buzzed around us on all sides, I sat on the bus surrounded by people from the US, Great Britain, Ireland, and Egypt while Michael Jackson sang "Smooth Criminal" on the radio. I thought, "I live in Cairo, and this is my fantastic life." It made me smile and hug myself with the wonder of it. I actually live in Cairo.
This is my 25th day here, and I am blown away by the changes, both big and small, that my lifestyle has undergone in that time. I wake up at 5 AM and walk 25 minutes to my bus stop. This former road-tripping and drive-just-to-clear-my-head queen has no desire to get a car. Absolutely none. I'll save that for when I visit the states. I work until 5:20 PM when I catch the late bus home. And I work the entire time I am at school with very little socializing or visiting. That isn't to say my colleagues are unfriendly, they are incredibly outgoing and warm, but I am so busy working that long lunches and visiting on my planning hour are things of the past. I eat cereal or peanut butter and jelly for dinner most nights (okay, that's not a change) on my balcony and just look at the view. The girl who used to have so much restless energy sits for an hour or two just gazing at the lights and listening to the sounds. It's my new meditation. Most nights, I grade and answer emails and read. Television is pretty rough here, so I read more than I ever have, and I go to bed by 10 PM. Now bedtime that early is a huge change!
On the weekends, I walk a lot and explore and people-watch. I also hang out with friends and socialize, but I have more alone time than I've ever had. It makes one confront oneself in some spectacular ways, and I am learning new things about myself daily (one lesson learned: any fear or trepidation I have had since I've been here is about my lack, not the external world's. I've only been scared when I couldn't communicate effectively because I don't know the language [to catch a cab or find my way home]). I also think about my family and friends and let myself miss the fabulousness of them. I am blessed to have such love and support in my life. That's another thing, I am more grateful than ever for the incredible people in my life. I'm overwhelmed by gratitude at times. It's a great feeling!
Other changes include being caffeine-free for over three weeks, going without texting for days at a time, walking to get everything (which makes a person really evaluate what a "need" is), having a limited number of clothes (two skirts and 6 pairs of pants - seriously!), and only having eleven pairs of shoes.
And you know what? I just hugged myself with wonder again.
This is my 25th day here, and I am blown away by the changes, both big and small, that my lifestyle has undergone in that time. I wake up at 5 AM and walk 25 minutes to my bus stop. This former road-tripping and drive-just-to-clear-my-head queen has no desire to get a car. Absolutely none. I'll save that for when I visit the states. I work until 5:20 PM when I catch the late bus home. And I work the entire time I am at school with very little socializing or visiting. That isn't to say my colleagues are unfriendly, they are incredibly outgoing and warm, but I am so busy working that long lunches and visiting on my planning hour are things of the past. I eat cereal or peanut butter and jelly for dinner most nights (okay, that's not a change) on my balcony and just look at the view. The girl who used to have so much restless energy sits for an hour or two just gazing at the lights and listening to the sounds. It's my new meditation. Most nights, I grade and answer emails and read. Television is pretty rough here, so I read more than I ever have, and I go to bed by 10 PM. Now bedtime that early is a huge change!
On the weekends, I walk a lot and explore and people-watch. I also hang out with friends and socialize, but I have more alone time than I've ever had. It makes one confront oneself in some spectacular ways, and I am learning new things about myself daily (one lesson learned: any fear or trepidation I have had since I've been here is about my lack, not the external world's. I've only been scared when I couldn't communicate effectively because I don't know the language [to catch a cab or find my way home]). I also think about my family and friends and let myself miss the fabulousness of them. I am blessed to have such love and support in my life. That's another thing, I am more grateful than ever for the incredible people in my life. I'm overwhelmed by gratitude at times. It's a great feeling!
Other changes include being caffeine-free for over three weeks, going without texting for days at a time, walking to get everything (which makes a person really evaluate what a "need" is), having a limited number of clothes (two skirts and 6 pairs of pants - seriously!), and only having eleven pairs of shoes.
And you know what? I just hugged myself with wonder again.
Okay...caffeine free Heather??? I'm not sure I can even imagine that. A caffeine free Heather who can't text????? I'm not sure I want to imagine.
ReplyDeleteI am also amazed at just *how* small you've made your wardrobe.
Oh, heck...I'm just amazed by you altogether. And I love you, lady. Ketchup!
After this weekend, I should be able to text! But I will still be caffeine free. When I ran tonight at the gym, I felt the difference not drinking soda makes on a body. It's good! But I admit to missing Diet Mountain Dew and that fabulous burn as it goes down. :)
ReplyDeleteI love you, too, wondrous bfff. Relish!!