Africa, Part 3: Cleaning Dirt
One of the chores I watched the kids perform in the morning was that of sweeping dirt. I’m not talking about sweeping dirt from concrete in this case. I’m talking about sweeping dirt outside on top of dirt. I pointed this out to someone, and they noted how nice the dirt was after it was swept. You know, the dirt. I had to admit. Yes, the dirt was much better after being swept.
I also watched them mow the lawn. Without a lawnmower. Not even the manually-powered lawnmower of own. The lawnmower was powered by a boy, and the cutting instrument was a long piece of metal. On the way back on the plane, I was watching a movie set in the 1800s, where they were cutting grass the same way.
I remember when I was in New Zealand several years ago, and was informed there was a washine machine for clothes, but no dryer. I thought to myself, “Well, then how am I supposed to dry my clothes.” I had actually forgotten that there was other ways to dry clothes, like on a line or drying rack.
The dirt of Africa made it’s way onto my clothes while there, and still pervades my sandals, which were the footwear of choice. If the dirt wasn’t swept, there would be more dirt to cover my clothes and sandals, right? I didn’t miss a beat this time though. I grabbed the basins, filled them with water, and washed my clothes. Then dried them on the clothesline. Wait, did I miss a step? Next time, I washed, then rinsed, then dried. Washing by hand to remove dirt can take a lot of rubbing and twisting. Maybe I should buy a bin, in case someone else is using the washer (a very real possibility in an apartment complex). Too bad I left my flex-o-line clothesline in Africa. Will have to buy another.
Civilizations advances, and we forget how to do the simple things sometimes, like washing clothes without a mechanical washer, drying clothes without a mechanical dryer, and cutting grass without a lawnmowing machine. And I forget that dirt can be swept, until I go away to remember. Realizing what I have forgotten, I suddenly wonder what else there is to remember.
August 1st, 2010 @ 6:58 am
I have never had the opportunity to travel. But it seems like we should be watching how others get by on such a small carbon foot print. I no longer own a dryer and I dry everything on a laundry drying rack. I also ride my bike or walk to work when it is nice enough out. I ride the bus when the weather is too rainy their is ice or snow. I can still sweep my house with a broom and I can put in a screw with an old fashion screw driver I do not need to plug in my electric one.
The list goes on and on. I think not only would we be saving energy and money. But I am sure that are health will improve if we are a little more physically active.