As the end of 2004 quickly approaches, I find myself reflecting on the events of the past year. Many of you have read about my work here, but you may not know that I've also learned a few lessons along the way. Here's the Top 10 Lessons I've Learned in 2004:
1. Never ride a donkey cart in front of a high school just as school lets out or you will be mocked forever and go down in the history books as the only white person ever to take the "poor man's" transportation.
2. Never trust bureaucrats or government officials in developing countries.
3. No matter how long you bargain for the "real" price for goods, you will almost always end up giving up and still paying more than you know you should.
4. Shoving at least 3-4 people in the front seat of a car and 4-5 in the back is never comfortable, especially when your fellow passengers are sketchy men who "accidentally" rub up against you and fat women who easily take up 2 seats just for themselves.
5. Weekly anti-malaria pills may seem like a smart idea, but they really just make you slowly go crazy as you hallucinate about pink elephants or millions of poisonous ants attacking your body.
6. Moving thousands of miles away from family and friends can actually make your relationships stronger and your connections closer.
7. When you give an inch, people will definitely take a mile and continue to harass you until you either give in or stop taking their calls.
8. Even if you don't speak the same language, children can instantly recognize when you are hurt or upset and without realizing it, they always know just what to do to make you feel better.
9. Locusts are never a good thing, especially when they destroy all the crops and eat through the power lines leaving you with rolling blackouts for months.
10. Having hours and hours with nothing to do but think doesn't necessarily mean you will figure out what your next step in life should be. In fact, it usually just creates more questions than answers.
Here's wishing you all a healthy, happy, and prosperous 2005.
Janine
