Before I got here, I said that I hope to have a different understanding of the world. I knew it would happen, I just didn't expect it to happen so soon. Ever since being here, I realize how truly privilege I am. I am so thankful for everything I have, especially my family. I truly relize how lucky I am for the life I live in the United States. I can say that this sometimes makes me nostaligic for Washington D.C.
Just being here for two weeks has made me thankful for little things we in developed countries take for granted. I feel like it's thanksgiving everyday because I find myself giving thanks for everything I have in Zanzibar and back home.
When you go to the bathroom in the United States, you just expect to have a western style toilet and you don't think twice about having toilet paper. The first time I went to the bathroom at my school, I found a hole in the ground and no toilet paper. I was very shocked, it hit me that not everybody has a flushing toilet or even running water for that matter. I can truly say, I am very thankful for the life I live. I will never take the little things for granted again.
But you know, not everything that is different here is bad. Being without wifi, my laptop, and Iphone has also slowed down my pace of life. I truly am able to enjoy the company of my roommates and also truly take in everything around me. I didn't realize how plugged in I was. Looking back, I was truly addicted to technology, I don't know how I enjoyed the little things in life. For example, since none of us have our iPhones or constant connection to the internet, we sit around and actually talk and get to know each other. I think my generation has lost the ability to carry on conversations face-to-face. This trip is helping me apreciate the little things.
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