A New Luxurious Normal
I don’t necessarily consider myself super “high-maintenance.” I mean, for half of this year, I had knives so dull that they bounced off vegetables, I had mattress springs that poked me at night, I couldn’t flush my toilet paper down the toilet, and of course, I had many little insect friends visit my apartment… I lived in Guatemala, a “developing country.” As a lot of people say, “I roughed it.”
But, despite the fact that I lived in a place that creates images of children’s snot covered faces and over-bloated bellies… I also lived comfortably. I went out to eat, I paid for taxis, I traveled all over the country and I ate meat almost everyday! I had access to luxuries that many people, even the average-middle-class Guatemalan did not.
Basically—there were some things I did have to adapt to (like the incredibly low and not always hot water pressure in the shower), but also I had access to a lot that many did not. My “luxuries” here were things I used to see as “normal” back in my life at home.
For example:
1. Diet: I bought cheese every week (Yep, dairy products are not super common here)! I loaded up on veggies instead of carbs! I occasionally bought brownie mix to have a taste of home! I had access to luxury food items that would be “normal” to find in my refrigerator at home.
2. Health: I went running about 3-4 times a week. I chose to pay a little bit more, and live in a safe environment where I can run outside. I was not locked in an area where I was forced to stay inside for safety reasons.
3. Transportation: I did not take the chicken buses within the city (this is the most common form of transportation and goes all throughout Guatemala. However these buses are frequently held up because of thieves or gang related activity). I had a choice to pay more, to be safe, when many others did not.
4.Disposable Income: I traveled on the weekends. I could do fun things like, eat out, go to the movies and travel! I had extra money to do “the normal weekend thing.” Yes, Guatemalans do go out occasionally, but not as frequently as would seem “normal” at home.
I lived relatively comfortably here… I did things like a “normal” gringa would. But, I also do not want to forget—that for most of the world, the things that I used to not even think twice about, like pleasantly strolling in a park or taking public transportation without fear—is a luxury that most of the world does not have. My eyes have opened to a new reality that was different from the previous one I lived in.
I do not exactly know how to translate this experience back to the States… Obviously, I do not want a re-play of a bug-infested house where exterminators come three times in one year… But I also do not want to lock myself in a bubble and live in mere comfort, where I forget. I do not want to forget that the “normal” and “natural” standard of living that I will go back too—is not at all “normal” or “natural” for the majority of the rest of the world. I do not want to forget that being able to stay healthy with my dietary and exercise choices are a luxury. I do not want to forget that being safe is not a normal reality for many here.
I am not trying to come off like I am making a “spectacle out of poverty” or using someone else’s situation merely for my own “spiritual growth,” but I as I think about returning, getting a real job, getting married and learning to budget-- I do not want to forget how I lived here, nor how I saw others live. I want to live on what is necessary, and not stay stuck in a bubble of comfort. I had enough—more than enough in fact. And even though the selfish human part of me will always want to go out more, travel more, eat more and buy more--I want to avoid the trap of feeling I want and "need" more to make me happy. I want to learn to be content with what I have, know that it is enough, and remember that Jesus is my ultimate provider who commands us to live generously and freely.