Catastrophe on the Sea

I am watching the news this evening  and this is the headline for the lead story of the day.

"No Air Conditioning, Hot Food or Swimming Pool." 

No swimming pool?! Can you believe that? Sounds absolutely miserable. This is the story of a cruise ship losing power and having to be towed in for 2.5 days. The story contained interviews of the passengers describing how miserable and terrible the ordeal was. How they would kill for a cheeseburger, couldn't wait to charge their cell phone or how this ruined his birthday booze cruise. Obviously a Titanic-like ordeal.

I immediately reflect on the people I stayed with in the African village in August. Never having running water, cell phones, TVs or even knowing what a swimming pool is. Further, while they get hot food by starting fires, they do have the hungry season to worry about. When you consider this perspective, the reaction from the passengers and media is more disgusting and unbelievable than the conditions they endured. I would be completely embarrassed watching an interview of myself saying some of these things.

From their perspective, it is difficult to have something taken away versus not ever enjoying it. A bicycle is a great form of transportation, but once you have ridden in a car, it is miserable. We all become spoiled and expect certain luxuries after we have enjoyed them for a certain amount of time.

Just last week I noticed myself finally starting to take things for granted again after the Africa trip. I was very pleased that for two months, I would reflect on Africa every time a meal was prepared, I used the refrigerator, flushed a toilet or got water from the tap. Hopefully this insensitive news story will be a nice reminder of how spoiled we can act.

Africa has also made me less tolerant of complaining in general. When people complain about tests, the weather, working until dark or endless other examples, Africa makes me want to point out the other perspective. While I am just as guilty as the next person, I am trying to complain less and so should you. If you are reading this on a computer in a temperature controlled room, you are probably doing okay.

On a final note, this story was the lead story on Veterans Day. The day we honor those who have served, died or are currently living in Afghanistan and around the world under the constant fear of mortar shells and snipers.