So apparently, I’m a terrible blogger. Let’s move on. Many of you know that I’ve left the cozy environs of Europe for a much hotter and desolate location this summer. Since I’m living on base, I’m being overly cautious about my specific location. It shouldn’t take a rocket scientist to get the general gist of where I am in the world: desert and over 100 degrees. Every. Single. Day. I’ve never been more grateful for Air Conditioning even if it can barely hold back the tide of those 120 degree days. Since I’m not traveling much, other than for classes, I thought I would share a few of the pictures I’ve taken to try and capture this unique landscape. Eventually I’ll break out the “real camera” and take more than passing shots. For now, here are a few details of my summer life.
One of the many homes I see on my drives each week. They raise sheep, goats, and camels.
I teach four nights a week. I drive to three of the four locations. Each drive is at least an hour in one direction. The drivers here see rules as basic guidelines they can break when they’re in a rush. Case in point, last week I took a two-lane exit to turn onto the second freeway on my drive. Two-lane exit I repeat. There were four lanes of traffic all attempting to make the left hand turn at the green light as SUV’s, the predominate vehicle here, drove up the exit’s hill to “merge” onto the paved road. On the right hand side, other vehicles straddled the curb and drainage ditch to gain a couple car advantage. And mind you, no one drives slowly.
This should be a two-lane road; however, the wind brought the desert into the left lane a bit.
Water. Water gets trucked in to homes and communities. That water stays in giant plastic tanks somewhere in the sun (keep the temperature in mind here) while waiting for you to use it, which creates interesting realities. First, there is no such thing as a cold shower. I only use the “cold water” and it’s often hot. Second, and I’m a little sorry for the TMI, toilet water is hot. It took me a couple of trips to the restroom to realize that no, my butt was not sweating before I sat down. Instead, the water is so hot in the bowl that my rear end had condensation on it. I am not a fan. Third, yes to those who know how little water I drink, I’m staying hydrated.
One of the places I drive each week involves a long a$$ road into the middle of nowhere…..at least the sunset is pretty.
More of the same sunset.
Strangely, time seems to pass pretty quickly. Teaching four classes helps. While none of my classes are particularly large, the prep, grading, and feedback time fills up my days during the week. I spend a lot of time reading and I’m grateful to have more time to read without feeling guilty that I’m not spending my time in other pursuits. I have a general routine that keeps the days from blending together. In fact, the Indian gentlemen who staff the local coffee shack express their concern if I don’t show up in my normal window. As soon as they see me coming, they start getting my large iced coffee, with only a little milk, ready. They are on a mission to get me to visit India and they now use my love of mangos as enticement citing the low cost, multiple varieties, and easy access. I’ve tried to tell them that visiting another country simply for mangos seems a bit ridiculous, they don’t agree.
One of my classrooms.
The students I get to work with are overworked, hot, and very dedicated. I’ve often said that I would rather work with a motivated student than a naturally gifted one. These students take motivated to a new level. They are challenging me to be a better and more engaged teacher. I like the challenge. The staff who run the Education Centers here are fantastic. They are energetic, dedicated, and funny. I enjoy working with these folks daily.
Food and dorm life…..let’s just say, I feel too old to relive my college days. Yet that’s exactly what it feels like. The food is fine, but institutional. I eat a lot of chicken, rice, salad, and fruit. I rely on lots of Tabasco sauce and I’ve figured out a way to make jalapeno, chicken quesadillas, the world will keep on spinning. The coffee is every kind of terrible so I rely on the coffee shack and the Starbucks Via Iced Coffee packets Julie sent. Thank heavens for family! As for dorm life, I’d gotten pretty used to living alone for the last 8 months so sharing a room with someone challenges me. In addition, running into students in the shower creates unique experiences for me regularly. I have opportunities to grow and find gratitude daily on this front “:)”.
All in all, life is fine. I get to do what I love in very interesting places around the world. That’s enough for me.