Day 2: practice and San Antonio

For the project we are only allowed two sets of clothing. Lucky for me I have disc practice on Tuesday and Thursday of this week. So I am basically confined to one set or clothes to wear for everyday activities, and one to wear for practice. It’s surprising which things give me the most trouble. Not showering has not been and issue. I don’t shower much anyway. But not having any caffeine has been hard on me. I have a headache right now and a strong desire for a Coke.

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During the day I find myself thinking a lot about the differences between poverty in the Sates and poverty elsewhere. In the United States poor people are not starving. Some are hungry, but starvation in some third world countries is a MUCH MUCH different thing. I have had experience with this distinction. In San Antonio I worked at a homeless shelter. Our guests (anyone who needed a meal) were actually pretty well fed (I ate the same food as the guest for a year). There were no requirements to eat, no shortage of food. On the other hand I have been to India and also Zimbabwe. Although I never saw first hand anyone dieing from hunger, poverty in those places is of far greater concern. Also poor people in the United States have access to far more resources. Think about a couple things that would be unheard of elsewhere:

A drinking fountain – free running water that is safe to drink. It is worth repeating. We have access to free running water that is safe to drink.

A public library – Free access to books, computers, and the internet. All of the information on the internet can be tapped into by anyone who goes to a public library.

Obviously there are many more differences, but these are the two that I was thinking about today. I could write more, but I am getting sleepy. I have a big night ahead of me. Will it rain? Will I be able to sleep? Will it stay warm?

We shall see,

William Hawk