one hundred

Once upon a time I had a warm bed to sleep in and a clean shower with ample hot water. I also had a wardrobe that included pants, shirts, dresses, shorts, jackets, sweaters, scarves, shoes, socks, and underwear all in a variety of colours, patterns, and sizes. I had easy access to all of the the products that a girl likes to use on a daily basis to maintain an acceptable level of personal hygiene. And, once upon a time, I was bursting with excitement, energy and enthusiasm to meet new people, see new things, and explore the world!!!

And then I stepped on a plane.

Today is day one hundred. My head hurts, I can only faintly remember ever having the ability to breathe through my left nostril, I haven't had a hot shower in a week, I don't remember the last time I met a heater that worked, all of my clothes have holes in them, I've worn the exact same thing for three days straight and everything I own smells like second hand smoke. I'm sick, I'm tired, I want to come home.

In reality things aren't that bad, I am in the holy land after all. But, a string of colds, flues, bugs, and other sucky things have left me feeling anything but wonderful for the past few weeks. Add to that equation the disgusting weather we've had lately and I'm pretty sure you can cut me a bit of slack for being a whiny compliney jerkface.

Things aren't exactly what my pre-travel, Lonely Planet induced dreams had imagined "way-back-when". I don't frolic in the ocean on a daily basis, drink beers and nap in the shade of ancient roman ruins or run carefree through mountain meadows while children sing merrily and birds chirp. Quite the opposite. But, one hundred days ago I had an empty passport, couldn't point to Syria on a map and didn't fully comprehend the "developing" part of the term "developing world" (I'm still not sure that I do, but each day I get a better idea of it).

I don't dream about a beach anymore, I dream of a clean hot shower... and that's something I might actually be able to get... one day.