I have a kindle. This kindle holds a charge for a remarkably
long time, so it is relatively immune to power outages. However, this is one of
those kindles that is not back-lit, so it needs some source of illumination.
When the power is out, light bulbs are also, so the next line of lighting is
headlamp, which has a shorter charge than the kindle. On more than one occasion,
I found myself wanting to read my kindle, but the only lighting option was a
candle. I find this hilarious – my books are electronic, but my illumination is
not? Oh world, you are a tricky little thing. One night, I was reading in bed
with my “Kandle” set-up and the candle fell over and spilled wax everywhere.
Yargh.
When I lived in the States, I had a dumb phone, a computer,
and a USB flash drive. Here, I have all those things, plus a blackberry and a
modem that both take mini-SD cards, I have a universal charger, and an external
hard drive. I feel I've jumped 10 years forward in technology, and 50 years
back in most other things.
On my volunteer stipend, it is worth it, financially and in
terms of time/effort, for me to pay a laundry lady, a garden guy, and water
luggers. 1 person, 1 house, many helpers.
I am not a hipster, and never have been. The other day, I
found myself cycling home at sunset on my gears-less bike with a yoga mat
strapped to the back, and I felt like a hipster. But it’s because I can’t have
a car, and there are really only two kinds of bike sold in this district;
neither have gears.
Life is funny, twisted, darkly-humored, and playfully
jestful here in Mandimba. Really, very few days are ever dull, and it throws
routine life back in the states in an absurdist, aqua-checkered light some
days. Absolutely, some days here seem to roll out under flashing disco ball of
ridiculousness as well.
9 more weeks, Mandimba! I can do it.
