This afternoon as I sat my desk working on one of my
assignments I looked up in the corner of the large window facing out to the
balcony and exclaimed, “Alas! I've been expecting you!”
To give you a bit of background, over the course of the 3½
months I’ve lived here I have had my fair share of bug infestations. Spiders
happened to be highest ranking on the leader board of creepy visitors and I
have taken to naming them so as to keep track of them. This particular spider
went by the name Karl and he was the son of Simon (the only spider I befriended
who tragically died). Karl had been making me quite anxious and as made his
home on my balcony, where clothes hung to dry. Fearful that he would either hide
in my clothes or make his way inside, my trips out the balcony were brief in
nature.
So as I sat there, staring at the silhouette of Karl, I had
been long awaiting this moment for him to encroach on my sovereignty and thus
convict himself to death. So I grabbed the broom from the kitchen, put on a
pair of hard-bottomed shoes, and sang my best version of the Survivor theme
song as I sent Karl to a “better place” (aka not in my apartment).
I’m tempted to say that life is hard here. But the truth is
that life is inconvenient. I am used to the luxuries of hot water,
heaters/air-conditioning, spider-infestation free living and a particular
amount of certainty in the way food is handled. But these are just
that...luxuries. Every moment I am frustrated by the speed bumps of no
electricity, internet or water for a day or more or by sickness from the water
or food, I am reminded that I have no right to these things.
Back home I have a sense of entitlement. I live by the basic
American principles that every person has the right to life, liberty and high
speed internet. Thus it’s easy to get frustrated when I find myself coexisting
with spiders or the reality that dryers do not exist in this whole town. I am
learning to appreciate things here—to enjoy the speed bumps and slow moments.
When my electricity goes out it is an invitation to spend time with friends
outdoors. When I kill the multitude of spiders it is an opportunity to grow in
my swiftness, ability to sing Survivor, and bring me one step closer to my
dream of becoming Indiana Jones. These moments help me to see myself in a
proper way: wholly undeserving of luxuries, conveniences and even to have
today.
