Bucket Baths

It seems kind of silly for me to take the time out to write an entire entry on bathing, but I feel like it's necessary because it’s just that spectacular. Lol.

As all of you know I live in a cute little hut at the end of the village next to my new family. Huts don’t have plumbing so I do everything outside in my backyard or latrine. Every morning I wake up to the usual rooster crowing, birds chirping, and now the cows mooing, and then go outside in the morning sun and bathe. It’s so refreshing to wake up and go outside to smell the clean air and hear all those now familiar morning sounds and then bathe in chilled well water.

The morning baths are great but the night baths are magnificent. My first 3 days at site it had been raining so the sky wasn’t clear, but last night was beautiful. I’m usually as little hesitant when I walk back there at night because I can’t see well and I’m always fearful that there’s some animal lurking in the darkness. Two days ago I saw my first snake slither by me right before I squatted to use the bathroom. Anyway, last night I turned on my flashlight and did the usual check before stepping outside, and to my amazement realized I didn’t really need it that night. I could already see. I looked up into the sky and could see the moon glowing just above my head with a slight haze around the curve to brighten up the sky a little more. Every single star that exists in our galaxy was visible. In some places it looked like someone has taken a handful of dust or glitter and thrown it into the sky when in actuality it was hundreds of thousands of stars. It’s like being in a planetarium. Lol. I don’t mean to sound corny but it was one of the most beautiful natural sites I’ve ever experienced. After I finished bathing I stood there in amazement for about another 10 minutes taking it all in. Then I went back inside to read for a little bit and came back to check to see if it was the same. Lol. It was. It’s a sight you don’t see that often in the states because it’s either hindered by lights or pollution, or we just don’t take the time out to look. That’s what makes it so special.

Anyway, that’s all I have to say about bucket baths for now.

However, I do want to give a special thank you to everyone that has been keeping up with my blog, sent packages, and kept in contact with me since I’ve been away. It’s a blessing to know that I have a great support system back home. It’s comforting. It can get a little tough out here sometimes.

And for those of you that have tried to call and can’t get through, I apologize. My phone service hasn’t been that great since I’ve reached site. Sometimes it’s necessary to try multiple times before getting through. If you like you can send me an email or facebook message and let me know when you would like to call so I can go somewhere where I have service.

Anyway. I hope to have some more interesting things to share in the near future. I start teaching October 15th, so wish me luck.

Once again, thank you all so much. I love you and miss you all a bunch.