Reasons I un-loved my trip. (Hate is too strong of a term.)

I really could turn the stories below into positive adventures. I could say they made me tougher or introduced me to something different. But I won’t……because I remember my thoughts in the heat of the moment. And so, I present to you…..the reasons I un-loved my trip:

A 12 hour bus ride. With 24 students. To and fro. “I have to pee” and “I am hungry” and “Ahmed smells” and “how much longer” and “Mohammed keeps putting his feet on me” and “Omar stole my iPod” and “I want to sit next to Halifa”…...AY, AY, AY!

Staying at an ecolodge with the spoiled…NEVER AGAIN! The juice boxes weren’t the right brand. There was insufficient lighting for makeup application. There was no hot water for showers….and the pressure of the cold water was inadequate. The toilet seats were too low. Daily requests to stay indoors all day because of the flies. No junkfood? No pop? “This place is a rip off.” The complaints were endless!

Excursion attire? Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Lacoste…..These items are completely appropriate for rolling in sand, collecting water from springs, and touring an old city made of salt and clay. “Can we sit out for this activity?” BAHA. NO.

The cold. This one had nothing to do with the students :) I froze the ENTIRE time. All day long (even in the “warm” periods), I sported at least 3 long sleeve shirts and a coat. There were even times when my coat was un-do-up-able because of all the layers! However, I must say I was lucky - fires and tea were made in my honour! Thank you Aly!

Responding to the same frustrating question after every introduction: ANNOYING. “Aren’t you too young to be a teacher?” or “Do you think the students really see you as their teacher?” I wonder how “old” I have to be before people believe me. And also, I have learned that being young is my greatest strength when it comes to teaching high school. Just ask the “old” teachers :)

Okay – enough negativity. (I will find the positive in these stories later!) Onto the GREAT! :)