Ready for a Roller Coaster Ride??? ...NO!
Do I have my jacket? ...Check... Do I have my wallet? ...Check... Do I have the keys?... Check… My helmet? ...Check… Mask and gloves? ...Check… Hand Sanitizer? ...Check… Half a world away from where I grew up, I’m now 30 and this is what goes through my mind every time we’re about to leave. I’m closing the gate of the house, walking to get on the back of Ashraye’s motorcycle, double checking that I’m prepared, and praying for safety as we’re out and about.. It’s not quite the routine I foresaw when I moved here seven months ago. Yes, I knew about riding a motorcycle, but that’s about it. The jacket is to prevent sunburn in the 100 degree weather, (a more cultural solution than sunscreen, and recently a relief from random rain downfall as we enter the monsoon season). Masks and gloves were completely off my radar, as those only applied to me for snow gear. Hand sanitizer?? Yeah ok, that was usually stuffed in a bag somewhere. Yes, it’s been seven months of adjustment for me,...