In late April I traveled to Guatemala for a missions trip and then stuck around longer for a bit of sightseeing. While I was in the jungle using my Palm Pre to connect wirelessly to the internet, I couldn't help but contrast that with Sierra Leone.
Soon after my arrival in Mattru, Jong in 1988, I was introduced to radio check. Twice daily we'd connect with the other UBC mission outposts, "Bumpe, Bumpe, this is Mattru..." If we missed the scheduled time, we wouldn't have a chance to connect until the next radio check.
Radio check prepared me for the 3 phone conversations I had with my parents during the 18 months I lived in Sierra Leone. Making a phone call meant going to a central office, giving the clerk the number I wanted to call, paying up front, and waiting to be told that I could enter a booth to complete the call. The connection was so poor that in order to avoid speaking over each other, we would make a statement and finish with, "Over," just like on the radio.
The final, vital, means of communication were the letters. In the evening by the light of kerosene lamp I'd pen tales from the day, then fold and seal the aerogram (I've learned that today no one has a clue what that is). I'd number them so my parents would know if any were missing. On Sundays, my parents would take turns at the typewriter and their aerogram, one of them starting and the other completing the weekly letter. Mom and Dad saved my letters...I wish I'd saved all of theirs.
Eight years later I found myself on the Anastasis in Madagascar and South Africa. I'd forced my parents to get an email address, adding them to my account before I left. As a result, there were a few moments when I could send unadorned, text only emails for 50cents each. I'm not much of a talker, so I didn't use the phone except for a single call toward the end of 5 months.
Fast forward to Tikal, Guatemala, April 2010. I paid $5 for internet access for the duration of my stay there (in Guatemala city it was free in the hotel). As a result, I could use my phone to send emails multiple times per day, letting friends and family know when I was heading to explore the pyramids, complete the zip line canopy tour or just relaxing in the hammock with monkeys playing in the nearby trees.
We've come a long way. We've gained something, but perhaps we've lost something, too. Moments of quiet, moments of escape, moments of reflection. Easy opportunities to just be without having to be in touch.
Chronicles of a nurse moving from a charity working in Africa to an urban hospital in America...formerly the adventures of an American nurse serving in Africa with Mercy Ships
Jean with Aminata in N'Zao
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About Me
- Jean
- After serving more than eleven years with Mercy Ships, spending time in 8 West African coastal nations plus South Africa and Madagascar, I've moved on to the next adventure. I love to travel and have made it to 49 of the 50 US states, 7 Canadian provinces, and more than 40 nations. One of these days I am going to go to Alaska and probably try to catch a few Canadian provinces at the same time.
Disclaimer
This blog represents my personal thoughts, opinions, and experiences and in no way represents official Mercy Ships views or positions.
5 comments:
Yes, I think something that we gained that we should probably lose is the urgency, the NOW, the need to have things immediately.
Of course in emergency situations this is a good thing, and its great to have these options just for enjoyment.
On the other hand it has increased our demand to be satisfied now. Its a 'Burger King' world...'your way, right away'.
I suppose everything in moderation but I feel this has increased peoples inpatients & stress. Rush, rush, rush...
It pushes everyone's needs into 'quadrant 1' (remember 4 quadrants in the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People?)when normally they are probably about a 3 or 4 for us. Sigh.
I guess I have wrote a book...but that reminds me, for now I can still read and enjoy a physical book. If its longer than a blog post its hard to enjoy a screen.
Great post Jean.
Tyrone, it amazes me that anyone even reads this! Thanks for weighing in. I agree, the urgency of the now is something I have not quite managed to conquer. I get dozens of emails daily and end up feeling guilty - or made to feel guilty - if I haven't answered each of them within a day or two. Snail mail had something going for it...not least of which was eagerly checking the mailbox. I used to subscribe to magazines while with Mercy Ships so that I would be guaranteed to have something at mail call! I love the anticipation and I confess I don't have that with email.
I still have a couple of your aerograms in my possession as well! I have been making a concerted effort to spend less time on Facebook, my iPhone, etc... I have actually read 4 books in the last couple weeks :)
Nice Blog. It is amazing how easy it is to stay in touch wherever you are. Guatemala was the first time I was on a trip that people brought laptops to the dinner table with them. Not sure if it is good or bad.
I know what an aerogram is:) Im amazed at how much change has come over a simple task like writing letters. In my first year in high school (boarding school) receiving letters from my family was the highlight of my week. Email has certainly spoilt the delight that accompanies receiving a posted letter. Great post.
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