I remember once as an eight year old my family went to a place called "Museum Village" and one of the tour guides made a comment about what life would be like without electricity and technology. He was trying to make us imagine how hard and challenging life was like back in the 1800's and I remember telling him that I wouldn't mind. I don't remember why I said that...maybe I really wouldn't have minded.
Living in Africa has brought that memory back to me several times...especially since I've begun a long distance relationship with Chris! It seems that the power, or the internet, or the phone service, or all of the above are constantly going out, and so many variables need to take place in order to have a successful Skype conversation!
This past week, for example, we didn't have internet access for the entire week, and in the middle of that week we also lost phone service for two days! It definitely made me realize that I depend on these things far too much!
At the same time, in spite of all these communication challenges with the outside world, I realize how lucky we are! I've read a few books since coming here about the missionaries who came out to this area over a hundred years ago. They had it rough! They could only take public transportation until a certain point (about eight hours by car from this area) and then they had to walk the rest of the way! Communication obviously took way longer with the only form being snail mail. In the not so distant past (about a decade or so ago) the missionaries had to communicate by radio. They had certain times of the day where all of the mission stations would get on the radio and any information that needed to be communicated was done with everyone else hearing. I'm sure there were some nice elements to the radio, but from what I hear any long distance relationships had to be done with everyone else listening in!!!! Oh, Chris and I are so lucky!!!
When the internet finally made its way out to Sakeji (somewhere around 8-10 years ago), there was only one computer on station, and any emailing had to be put on a floppy disk and given to the secretary to send out for you....if you received any emails they were printed off (by the secretary) and passed on to you.
So many changed with the times, now everyone had their own laptop and cell phone. Things like Skype, emailing, blogging, etc. keep communication with the outside world relatively easy, and definitely allow for more privacy, and easier for long distance relationships! It's crazy to think that one can have a free phone over the internet (however poor the quality can occasionally be), and although I'm thousands of miles away I can still make phone calls and even send texts!
All this to say, as tough as I once thought I was at the age of eight, I now realize that no, I wouldn't have wanted to live in the 1800's, and yes I am SO grateful for technology, and so thankful that I live in the 21st century!
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