Fresh Smoked Babies
Day 9 - October 20, 2021
The twisted weirdness of my title today cracks me up. Talk about click bait.
Have you ever been in weather conditions that felt like a massive dog had just covered your whole body in slobbery wet drool?? Well I hope you haven’t but I am presently feeling that way. The humidity today is doing the most. The absolute most. It is foggy and sticky and thicc. The widows are open and the fans are trying their best but it’s just not possible to escape the rampage that humidity has decided to go on.
Meanwhile my friends are sending me sweater pics and notes of how crisp the air is feeling in the delightful fall weather. Pumpkin spice anyone? Fall is my favorite season and I am spending it by falling on the cool tile floor and rotating every few minutes. You know what makes it even more interesting? The culture is incredibly modest so I am wearing PANTS AND A SLEEVED SHIRT. It’s a vibe.
Also, let us address the cliff hanger from yesterday. When they wash the baby in this house, specifically when they wash his hair, they then "smoke" the baby. I didn't take pictures so this is going to be hard to explain. Basically they wash the baby like normal (bucket of water, soap, towel dry) THEN they take a ceramic bowl...basin...something and fill it with coals which they light and let get red hot. Once it is smoking a little bit they dump a powdery substance on top of it and this joker billows a thick, scented smoke that they then proceed to waft toward the baby. By this point the whole room is hazy so really the wafting isn't necessary but they waft and also put their hands near the coals and then pat the baby down from head to foot. I am completely bewildered by this whole process which is apparently normal because unlike me, the baby is super chill about the whole thing. After asking some questions and receiving some vague answers I have concluded the following.
- The smoke is first and foremost to dry the baby fully so he doesn't get sick from being wet.
- The smoke contains something that opens the airways and promotes deep breaths like a diffuser would do in the US..
- Basically they create a baby sauna, which to be honest is kinda cool and very odd to me.
In the US we tend to lotion our babies after bath time but we also live inside closed homes and it's relatively dry in our homes even in the Deep South. However, here you wake up and open all the doors and windows to let in the above mentioned thick wet of the world so instead of adding moisture to your baby you dry the baby out and then LITTERAL MOMENTS LATER the baby is sweating and slick from the humidity.
Another thing I learned today is that because the roads are so bad, when it rains we do not go anywhere. So today we stayed inside for the most part.
To get back to the daily recap....I spoke with my host today about all the upcoming projects from now until the end of the year. Between weddings, holiday parties, and weekly events I will be a busy girl. I am so excited for everything that is upcoming and how God will work in and through me while I am here. We looked through photos of previous events that they have worked and there were so many amazing moments! From kids and women, to parties and large events, they capture it all and I am so privileged to be able to do the same over the next few months. They are also renovating a space to be able to host events and from floor to ceiling the building is WHITE! That may sound boring to you but as a photographer I was elated. It can be completely dark outside and this space will allow the images I take to be bright as day. Shoutout to whoever made that decision because it was a good one!
On the way back to the house I asked my host what his favorite thing about his wife was and after a quiet moment his response was "She is my strength and my confidence. With her I can do anything." He spoke for a few minutes about her character and her value to him. It was so sweet! I genuinely appreciate my host and his family because they have chosen to be honest and vulnerable with me from day one. For me, that is a HUGE comfort zone. Wait what? I know! It seems odd when I say it like that but when people are open in communication it allows me the opportunity to be the same. All the cards are on the table and it becomes a safe place. They have been upfront about everything: family, wardrobe, work, money, friends, and themselves. You know how every person on the planet talks about other people that they work with and do life with? Well my host family does the same thing. They even discuss areas with deep hurt and conflict. However, NOT ONCE have they spoken poorly about the character of anyone else. They actively honor the people they speak about while still being honest about the facts and feelings that were present in whatever situation is being discussed. Every. Single. Member. Of. This. Family. Lives by the same honor code and it is amazing. It also brings me comfort knowing that even if we have struggles while I am here, I can expect the same kind of talk "behind my back" and feel no discomfort about what is being said. I LOVE THAT! I hope that my life reflects the same and if not I hope that I will grow to that place.
There are so many moments with this family where I am able to clearly see Christ in their lives. It isn't that they talk about Jesus all day long or pray every hour on the hour, but the way they speak, the way they honor each other, the way they care for literally everyone, and their selflessness is so blatant that it can't be anyone but God in them. Isn't that cool??
To end the day we went to a few places to get groceries. We started at a place like a small CVS and picked up packaged items like lentils, soups, and ice cream. Then we went to a fruit stand and picked out blueberries, oranges, kiwi, grapes, and limes. Our fruits cost us in total about 12 US dollars. I was told that it was a little expensive but out of convenience we were willing to pay more since it was already late and we didn't take the time to go to the bigger market. We did the same thing at a vegetable stand and purchased potatoes, onions, eggplant, alma, tomatoes, cauliflower, and cucumbers. After that we went home and concluded our day!
Fun Facts:
- When asking for something in this culture, ask for the bare minimum because they will ALWAYS give you way more than you ask for.
- Example: If you ask for one scoop of ice cream they will give you two scoops. Ask for two scoops they give you four. Etc. Etc.
- Food shopping here is like going to the open farmer's market...everywhere. I'm still getting over the hanging raw meat in the open air but it is fresher and if you cook it its okay, right??
- I haven't gotten sick at all which is new for me because usually I am throwing up by day 6. A Blessing!
- I finally reached the time zone. Another Blessing!
