to Kalimantan. Hearing about their experiences reminds me of
highlights that I encountered just 1 month ago.
At 4am, Rudy would wire a small fluorescent light to a car battery.
He would turn on the keyboard, and with the adjustment of a few
buttons, an entire band would be playing. Slowly, members of the
household would awaken and arise.
At the time, 16 people lived in this small house. Sure, there were 5
"bedrooms" and 2 bath, but it's probably not exactly what you're
picturing in your mind. One common roof, where the top of the closed
walls ended just above the doorway. You could hear a chorus of
snorers or conversation all at once.
The generator for electricity would go on at 5 and off at 11.
If you needed to use the restroom, you'd go to the outhouse.
Literally, outside the house. 2 bathrooms: 1) the outhouse and 2)
under the stars, 1 side of the house and 3 sides of corrugated sheets.
We'd go up the river to visit villages. Parts of the river would be
no more than 6 feet wide. We'd duck through the trees of the jungle,
where, yes, a snake or monkey could be hanging at any given moment.
But we just didn't think of those things. You're surrounded by this
grand beauty to behold. It's simply captivating.
A library is being built. And for only $1,100, they can tile the
entire building and provide the books! The thirst for knowledge is
amazing. And how amazing to take clean water for granted. When I
first arrived nearly 3 months ago, I had to brush my teeth with
bottled water. When I returned from Kalimantan, I could enjoy a
shower with slightly brown water. A shower of totally clear water
was definitely a privilege.
Tonight, it was good to be reminded of that. How much I'd almost
forgotten.
And how spoiled I am! After nearly 3 months, I finally had Baskin
Robbins ice cream tonight - Mint and Chip. Mmmmm. C; It's great to
know that the pleasures of life really can be simple things.
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