mother teresa and other thoughts
Monday, July 20th, 2009only 36 days until we leave! our flight leaves at 8am on tuesday august 25th. as it approaches, it is starting to become more real to me that we really are going for a long time. 9 months is no short trip. i am going to do more reading about culture shock and adjusting to actually living abroad. i already know that the first few weeks are an elated high in which you feel excited about everything that is new. then this slowly goes down and there is a period where most things irritate you and you long for the comforts of home and the way you used to do things. but for the traveller that perserveres through this phase, her irritation will gradually lessen as she becomes content in the new culture with a more lasting happiness than the initial excitement. it is in this phase that positive life changing things happen. i made it some of theway through this cycle the last time i was in ecuador. i remember about 6 weeks in to my trip for a few days there was in a lull where i was discontent and irritated. there were roaches in the bathroom at night when i would turn out the light that would scurry away and hide. the eating of so much rice started to get old, the showers felt especially cold, among other things. but i do remember this lasted only a few days then i was not so discontent. i am trying to prepare myself the culture shock that will happen this time.
Why do I want to go on this trip?
1. I loved Ecuador the last time I was there, and have been seeking out a chance to go back and experience so much more.
2. The last time I was in Ecuador for 2 months and by the end of it I felt like I was just getting used to it and adjusted before I had to return to the US. There is so much more I want to explore, see, experience that I did not get to do last time both in Ecuador and the other countries (Peru, Bolivia, Chile?)
3. When I travel, the independent, adventurous part of me comes out. I become like a sponge taking it all in, and then I journal about it and reflect on it. It provides me with endless ways to grow and learn more about myself and then I get to see those changes happening within myself.
4. When I travel I am in the mindset of exploring and am not afraid to try just about anything. I feel so alive.
5. I want to whole heartedly give of myself in service to the poor. I want to live among the poor in the non touristy areas and do as the natives do. south quito here i come!
6. Right now there is an opportunity for al and i to travel for the year and we have money saved up enough that if we are frugal, we can make it work. if we wait until later, we may not have this chance. so we go now while we can.
I was with al and his parents at a thrift shop in ellicottville and after looking at the clothes briefly i inevitabely ended up at the books and found a book by Mother Teresa and copied down a few quotes i thought were meaningful.
“Let us do something beautiful for God by giving whole hearted service for the glory of God and the good of our poor.”
I could not have said it better. It still surprises me to know that she went most of her life giving in service and all the while struggled to find God’s presence with her.
annieandal