I sit here staring at my computer screen searching for the right word for how I’ve been feeling since I arrived back in Vegas. I was really feeling it this morning as I pulled out of my three car garage, drove past all the fairly large houses in my neighborhood, pulled onto the four lane freeway and drove past more businesses than I could count. Cruising down the Las Vegas Blvd in all its grandiose and over indulgence when only a week before I was in a third world country where people are really struggling.
I’ve never really thought about how lucky I was to have running water and not have to walk a half a mile or more to get water from a dirty looking pond. I don’t think I’ll run my washing machine without thinking of the woman washing their clothes in the river, or turn my stove on and not think of the woman gathering sticks so they can cook their food. In Africa, the woman work and work and then work some more.
Sometimes when I’m watching the news I’m not “really watching” the news. The injustices that are happening all over the world just seem so far away and I feel so far removed from them. I think we all sort of feel like that way. We’re all so busy just living our lives in a sort of isolated cocoon, well at least I feel that way sometimes.
Thank you Africa for broadening my mind, making me more appreciative for all I have and opening my mind to some of the injustices that happen everyday around the world. I’m not sure how I can help but maybe just spreading the word and starting a conversation is a start.
Sandy, I feel the same way. What about the children that were no more than 5 or 6 that we saw in charge of a “herd” of goats, tending to them with sticks that were longer than they were tall? You couldn’t help but think of what their future was going to be like. These were the boys, I am sure the girls were learning the art of all that their mothers do. We are truly both blessed and spoiled by our lifestyles.
Sandy so true we don’t appreciate all we have just expect it to be there. When the power goes out we go out of our minds that our life has been interrupted. We have it so easy and yet want more.
Sandra, traveling is always a big eye opener. Unfortunately, we can’t always afford to visit these far off places. I want to see more of this country. That’s why I’m going to the southwest in a couple of weeks.
Sandy from these pictures you could be a photo journalist. I’m so glad you had this chance to see all this. What ever you don’t do go to India. Just sayin………