Childhood memories of poverty

(just a note guys, the house that I grew up in had running water, electricity, [dial-up] internet, and phone. We were in no way living in poverty, nor extravagance, but we were still rich compared to the average guy over there.)

Well guys, if you're reading this, you should know that this summer (July 8th, specifically) me and my father will arrive in Niamey, Niger for a long deserved visit. Unless you've been in our situation, you can't come near to understanding the...need that we have to see the place where we grew up. Lately I've had many people asking me if I'm "excited about the trip," and as I answered, "yes!" I analyzed my facial expression and thought that maybe I wasn't showing quite what I was feeling. Unless you yourself have been homesick, you probably don't understand what it's like to have to learn how to drown out your feelings (if only so you don't bust out crying), and after 5 years of having to do that, it becomes hard to turn off. I am more excited than you could possible imagine! I can't wait to see the places and experience the memories that I've been drowning out.

I am of the opinion that everyone should experience a foreign culture at some point in their lives. It is such an eye-opener to walk down a street and see groups of children doing whatever they can to get some nourishment. It really makes you consider how truly fortunate we are to live in a country which in the peak of it's "economic down spiral" would be richer than what these people live out every day. Imagine what you've heard of the Great Depression, and apply it to every day rather than just a short period in time, imagine people starving everyday, seniors and children alike. Some of you might point out that starvation happens in America too, and it does. Take the starvation factor in America, and multiply it by X, and you've begun to get an idea of what it's like where we are going (not to mention concentrating the national number of deaths by starvation in America, and concentrating them to one city). That is the place where I grew up, I love it for it's simplicity, and hate the poverty that so entangles it.


Peace guys, enjoy!
Phil