they're shy + quiet
+ they always look a little dirty
we're driving down an unpaved country road pocked w/ potholes, dusty + bumpy + noisy + uncomfortable. in the back of a songthaew (a converted pickup truck) w/ our backs leaning against a thinly-padded railing. once in a while, we hit a jarring bump + passengers in the back hang on for dear life. or the driver brakes suddenly + everyone slides on top of each other. it's 90% humidity as usual + the sun is out. water buffalo crossing randomly. it smells of musty swamp, chicken poop, outdoor vendors (over)grilling meat. without warning, a motorbike roars past + orange dust is flying everywhere
one of the little kids has to take dramamine; last time she threw up mid-ride. the kids are hot + tired, sleeping in awkward positions on people's laps. not enough room, so one girl is asleep on the metal truckbed, bunched over a backpack.
i can't help but think, these poor kids. if they were in America, they'd be in a clean, air-conditioned, leather-upholstered SUV, dozing off to a Brahms lullaby in supreme comfort. instead, they're bouncing around a junky pickup w/ bad shocks, cracked padding, + an open back that gets sprinkled with fine dirt particles everytime a motorbike flies by. a little girl is eating a banana with one hand, and covering her mouth with the other to keep the dust out.
no A/C
no DVD player
no Ninentendo DS
no leather seats
no clean, quiet cabin
it's saturday
the parents are out visiting some new friends in their "village"
instead of sitting @ home, bored, playing w/ the same toys
they're out getting their hands dirty w/ their parents
learning to live + to love
i felt bad @ 1st because i thought they were suffering
but i shouldn't have
they're the ones who are really living
building dirtcastles with their Father
