More and More Like my Dad... sort of...

8.Jan.2011

So, for Christmas and New Year’s, I spent the time on a beach. Yes, it was just SO tough…being able to swim everyday, seeing the sun rise over the ocean, laying in a hammock to read, all really difficult things to do… And to top it off, I look tan! J

Okay, don’t steal my thunder here! (I know a tan for me isn’t necessarily all that dark when you look at my Nurrenbern side of the family!) My Granny tans so easily, my dad, my uncle…but not me. I may look like my dad, I may even have a lot of similar traits as my dad (at least I like to think I do), but I don’t have his skin. As my grandma in Namaacha said, I turn into a tomato when I’m in the sun. Not this time! This time I got tan! I haven’t seen my dad’s tan in a long time, but looking at the contrast on my own skin, I’m amazed! J I’m not going to give away my whole secret, but it has something to do with sunscreen and not tanning oil, and the African sun. Just sayin’…

I do find myself reminiscing about my father (as one would) and I don’t mean to compare my life to his because they are definitely different, but at the same time, similar. For instance, my dad was not much of a traveler and I, obviously, am. But at the same time, my dad had a mind of his own and spoke it and did pretty much anything he set his mind to. And in that, I’m trying to follow his footsteps. I would like to say that I am at least a little like that…Okay, this got a bit deep for a blog, let me get back on the right track I was meaning to go….

Life in the bush in Africa I find can be very similar to life on a farm in the US in the 50s/60s. Granted I did not grow up on a farm in the 50s/60s, but I’ve heard some stories here and there. J

USA: Outside latrine for bathroom

Africa: Outside latrine for bathroom (my house is exception to the norm…I just have to fetch the water myself to flush it)

USA: kill chickens yourself for the meal

Africa: kill chickens yourself for the meal

USA: Prepare every meal from scratch (for the most part)

Africa: Prepare every meal from scratch (for the most part)

USA: Wash clothes by hand

Africa: Wash clothes by hand

USA: No running water – pump it or manually get somehow

Africa: No running water – pump it or manually get somehow (may even be a mile away, and may be a well where you lower a bucket down to get the water)

There’s probably more, but that’s what I got right now. And definitely correct me if I’m wrong. I’m not going to lie, all my life I kind of wanted to experience that lifestyle…one that my dad grew up in. America’s become such a fast-paced society, we kind of forget some of the simple things in life and kind of lose that appreciation.

I was actually ready to dig a hole to make my “fridge” and use a charcoal stove to cook on. Go figure I’m a volunteer who was provided a fridge and gas stove… And, yeah, I know, in a year (more or less) I’m going to appreciate the gas stove and fridge…J And technically I could “ignore” that I have them… but… I’m not right now…

So, in essence, what I was getting to with this blog is: I look like my dad even more now because I have a good tan. That’s it. J