It was a busy week at the office hammering out details and plans for the rest of the summer, drafting proposals, and training a new volunteer – which we are very grateful for! Wrapping up the week and having a day off was certainly welcomed.

Sunday is the one day off in the week and I decided to take advantage of it by doing some laundry. I set out on this sunny, muggy morning to find a clothes drying rack to hang my clothes on. I found the bucket and soap at the local grocery store and with the neighborhood jam packed with various shops surely this pursuit would be simple.

I walked around for almost two hours, encountered many – many people, numerous dogs and even more cows. Horns honked constantly as hundreds of cars, motorcycles, tractors, rickshaws, and bicycles whizzed past me in every direction. The intense heat and traffic had me a little overwhelmed and dizzy but I kept walking, taking close note of each turn I took.

In my quest I found every kind of shop, store and office you could possibly think of or need. Cafes, juice stands, fruit vendors, snack stands, office supply store, cell phone and electronic store, broom shop, the salon, a tailor, cement shop, tire store, a pharmacy, a real estate office and dentist office – just to name a few.

Searching for the clothes drying rack, which I still have not found, turned into a small adventure which helped (forced) me to get out, explore and feel comfortable in the neighborhood. I also now know where to find almost anything one could possibly need!