On Thankfulness

If you’ve been reading Oaxacaborn for any length of time, you know that I haven’t lived in the US my whole life. (I mean, you should know that just from reading the title of this blog, right?) Well, I really believe that everyone should travel abroad at least once in their life. (And sorry, I don’t quite mean to an all-inclusive resort in Cancun, although I’m sure it’s a lovely vacation ;-)

Spending two weeks outside of the US has a way of altering one’s perspective in ways that are truly life changing. Necessities like toilet paper, clean water? We don’t give them a second thought, but they aren’t a given everywhere in the world. And those little conveniences like Ziploc bags and breakfast cereal — you know, those things which annoy us if we forget to pick them up at the grocery store — well, those are unheard-of in so many places.

I’m not trying to be holier than thou, or say we should feel guilty for what we have. I just think it’s super important to be aware that we have so much more than most of the world. I need the reminder myself just as much as anyone.

And so, since it’s Nakate fundraiser week here on the blog (just $491 more to go!), I wanted to share some photos my dear friend Shanley took last time she was in Uganda. I don’t know about you, but I instantly feel more thankful just by looking at these.