middle of nowhere.

We’re here: in the middle of nowhere, where time seems to stand still.

It’s been three days and feels like two weeks.

We have internet access at certain times of the day, namely, when we have electricity through a generator. There is a sudden rush to send off needed emails, charge the computer for our work, and attempt any research on questions asked in class through the day.

This time on the internet baffles me: I am irresolute between two worlds. One that seems so structured around the sun, the jobs to be completed for survival, and study. Study, study, study: languages, Bible, life skills. They are focused on each task and each day with quiet, strong determination.

And the other world, full of photos and stories. Every time I open email or Facebook, it just feels so fast: so much has changed, there are so many big events, and deadlines to be met. The focus is so much bigger, faster, and full of zeal.

I try to present those equally. I don’t really believe one is better than the other; each has its beautiful qualities and its horrid faults.

I simply mean to emphasize that they are just so different.

And to be caught between both is a little nauseating, to be honest.

Either way, we are happy to step into this world for a short time. The icy cold showers are refreshing; the glorious roaring of insects at night is beautiful to sleep to. The stars are breathtaking. And there are many things to be taught and learned.
I found my first leech on me, which left a little to be desired. I also came within closest contact of a snake, found about an inch from my exposed foot. I turned in time to calmly inform Stephen behind me, I saw it slither past his foot.

I’ll freely admit that both the leech and snake were small, but disconcerting all the same.

My wake-up call each morning has been icy cold drops of water falling to my exposed face. We’re not certain, but I think it is condensation gathered on the tin roof, slowly compiling overnight and dripping through a ceiling joint between the early hours of three and four. Somehow, they always land directly on my face, even when I shift to the right, left, or down.

And it’s cold. 

But even the cold is quite refreshing, namely because it doesn’t happen very often in our lives! It’s feeling just a little bit more like the holidays, which are coming faster than I know what to do with, at least on the other side of the world.

So here we are.