Just a Regular Day
I was reminded this week that it is fun to hear about the “little things” that go on here…just daily occurrences. I thought about that and realized that virtually everyday I have a fun story to tell. Jodie and I often entertain ourselves just by talking about the everyday things that take place. So I have decided that while I like to write about the kids and the happenings at the orphanage I will sneak in a story here and there about my everyday life…just for fun.
I have a very good friend in California that I like to email, Instant Message, and talk to on the phone with. We don’t talk on the phone too often because it is expensive. So Instant Messaging is the next closest thing to talking on the phone. She will wake up at 3:30am sometimes so we can “chat” for a couple of hours. Over the past month we have not had a lot communication with each other, so last week when she was on Spring Break from teaching we were able to IM together. We were trying to squeeze in a month’s worth of activities that had taken place in our lives. We were doing a pretty good job with catching up when I noticed the time. It was close to 6:40pm. The sun begins to set right around 6:40pm. Sadly I had to say goodbye and pack up my things to leave. But leaving the orphanage is not as simple as running out the door. There are children that love to hug and play and hug and hug even more…leaving takes a little bit more than just a few minutes.
Once I got out the door I knew it was going to be a race to see if I could beat the darkness…and the rain. It was beginning to sprinkle. Then it hit me that I had left my bicycle at the orphanage. I ran over to my bike and tried to get on as fast as I could, but I was wearing a skirt and it wasn’t one of those flowing skirts that allow you to easily ride a bike. It was a skirt with slits on the sides and it was slightly fitted. So I hiked up my skirt and headed out as fast as I could…mind you the road to my house is all dirt and it has been raining everyday for the past month so the road is one huge muddy mess…walking to the orphanage and back home is often quite an adventure in the muddy road.
As I began to ride my bicycle the rain began to fall…not drizzling anymore. I had a hard time seeing with the darkness on the winning side in my effort to get home while I could still see where I was going. It was quite a challenge riding my bike, holding onto the items I was carrying, keeping my skirt down, watching the road, trying to see with the rain now falling at a steady pace and darkness on my heels. I heard lots of comments from all the Africans walking and riding their bikes. Most of the comments involved laughter and lots of apologies to me for my “difficult situation.” I even got one comment from a man regarding my skirt and all the effort I was putting into keeping my legs modestly showing without crashing.
By the time I got home I was in need of dry clothes and a blow dryer. My guard told me how sorry he was for me about six times and Jodie asked, “What happened to you?”
I made it home and it wasn’t completely dark!!!
It was a good day. I was able to IM with Freya for a LONG TIME and catch up on life with her…just one of those regular days!
I have a very good friend in California that I like to email, Instant Message, and talk to on the phone with. We don’t talk on the phone too often because it is expensive. So Instant Messaging is the next closest thing to talking on the phone. She will wake up at 3:30am sometimes so we can “chat” for a couple of hours. Over the past month we have not had a lot communication with each other, so last week when she was on Spring Break from teaching we were able to IM together. We were trying to squeeze in a month’s worth of activities that had taken place in our lives. We were doing a pretty good job with catching up when I noticed the time. It was close to 6:40pm. The sun begins to set right around 6:40pm. Sadly I had to say goodbye and pack up my things to leave. But leaving the orphanage is not as simple as running out the door. There are children that love to hug and play and hug and hug even more…leaving takes a little bit more than just a few minutes.
Once I got out the door I knew it was going to be a race to see if I could beat the darkness…and the rain. It was beginning to sprinkle. Then it hit me that I had left my bicycle at the orphanage. I ran over to my bike and tried to get on as fast as I could, but I was wearing a skirt and it wasn’t one of those flowing skirts that allow you to easily ride a bike. It was a skirt with slits on the sides and it was slightly fitted. So I hiked up my skirt and headed out as fast as I could…mind you the road to my house is all dirt and it has been raining everyday for the past month so the road is one huge muddy mess…walking to the orphanage and back home is often quite an adventure in the muddy road.
As I began to ride my bicycle the rain began to fall…not drizzling anymore. I had a hard time seeing with the darkness on the winning side in my effort to get home while I could still see where I was going. It was quite a challenge riding my bike, holding onto the items I was carrying, keeping my skirt down, watching the road, trying to see with the rain now falling at a steady pace and darkness on my heels. I heard lots of comments from all the Africans walking and riding their bikes. Most of the comments involved laughter and lots of apologies to me for my “difficult situation.” I even got one comment from a man regarding my skirt and all the effort I was putting into keeping my legs modestly showing without crashing.
By the time I got home I was in need of dry clothes and a blow dryer. My guard told me how sorry he was for me about six times and Jodie asked, “What happened to you?”
I made it home and it wasn’t completely dark!!!
It was a good day. I was able to IM with Freya for a LONG TIME and catch up on life with her…just one of those regular days!
posted by Lydia | 1:37 AM
2 Comments:
Great story, Lydia! I could almost picture it. God's blessings to you! I should get IM for the sleepless nights! ha ha Hugs, Gigi
Hey Lyd,
Loved the details!
Freya
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