Hot, Wet, Stanky, Garbage

April 10, 2009

I would like to take a moment to talk about garbage disposals, which are basically the most amazing invention in the world, and I might miss them more than I miss my own family right now. In my house here in Fatima, the fact that garbage is only picked up once per week means the garbage in the garbage can is only taken outside once per week. This mode of thinking, combined with the fact that EVERYTHING goes into the garbage, means the entire house smells for the majority of the week. Perhaps even more disturbing than the ever-present stank is the fact that heat exudes from the can every time you open it. It is a hot, stanky, mess. I’ve offered to take the garbage outside but my host mom’s response is that the garbage is only picked up on Wednesdays, so it would naturally be silly to take it out any other time. The garbage situation is also McNasty because the only other garbage can, which is in the bathroom, is also only taken out once. This would be perfectly normal except that here we cannot put our toilet paper in the toilet, so…I don’t think I really have to explain that any further.

Here are some other things I am missing right now:

1. Choosing the food that I eat

2. Running, Swimming, Cycling

3. Spending time with people I know really well

4. Coaching soccer

5. Going to the gym

6. Sushi

7. Libraries and bookstores

8. Clean dogs

9. My Blackberry (I may be shallow, but at least I’m honest)

10. Hip Hop dance class

11. Putting my toilet paper in the toilet

12. Stores that have everything I need, for cheap (stuff here is expensive, especially when you don’t get paid for your job)

Ok, now that I’m thoroughly depressed, I’ll list some things I don’t miss about the States, which make me happy to be here:

1. Individualistic culture

2. Wasting food, materials, energy, and space

3. Living more than walking distance from family/friends

4. Not appreciating everything in the moment

5. Having more clothes and possessions than I know what to do with

There may not be as many of these, but I would argue that they are slightly more profound than the items on the first list. The stuff I miss is nice and all, but I can get along just fine without it for a couple of years. Who knows, maybe I’ll find a way to make some of those things a part of my life over here as well.