Comfort Relativism

Crossing into a place where you are out of your comfort zone and into unknown territory is a feeling both familiar and unsettling. No, not the ‘too close for personal space’ or the ‘get up off me’ feeling. What I’m talking about is the core, what defines who you are and how far you will go for what you believe. At what point do you stop stepping outside of that box and quiver a bit before stepping back in? I suppose you never really know the answer until put into a situation. People seem so impressed, enthralled and taken back that I would spend two months of my life in Pakistan. But what they don’t realize is that I’m not very far out of my comfort zone. Sure, they is a slight fear that the windows of this Marriott are going to blast through any second, but I am in luxury hotel. I am in a luxury hotel while working on a project for people who can’t return to their homes, with people who are afraid every time they step outside, with people who march for justice, but could be shot at any second. When we think about comfort zones we think about them in a personal comparative context. But compare my zone to that of the millions of IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons), doesn’t seem so bad. Heck, I’m living like a queen. Speaking of living like a queen, you know I like to throw in my awkward stories, because, well, it’s my life – so here goes the latest. So, as you know, I’m staying at the Marriott and it has been bombed twice, therefore the staffing and security are ridiculous. The staffing ,I would say, is about 20 to 1. Yes, 20 staff members per guest. This is not an exaggeration, I’m friendly, but I feel like Mr. Roger’s walking out my room greeting the staff in masses. Anyway, because they are over staffed they have different people for each task. Someone to change the mini bar, someone else to fluff the pillows, someone else to bring the newspaper, someone else to clean the shower, ok, you get the idea. Well, I arrive at 4am and tough through it all, go out to lunch with a co-worker, go to the market and return back to my hotel to work a bit. I’m spent, so I lay down to take a nap. After having gotten up two times to answer the door, one for fresh water and one for a new flowers, I assume the brigade that is the Marriott staffing unit has done their duties for the day, so I rest. As I doze off, I hear a noise. Keeping in mind that I have dead bolted my door, I lay back down and assumed I’m just jet legged and over tired. Nope, not true, I lift up my sleep mask (that’s right, I own a sleep mask), and there is yet another Marriott staff member, he nearly throws the plate of fruit in the air as I scream in shock. I am in my dress from the day (which is not appropriate for any man to see me in by cultural standards). When going out I wore the dress, which I am currently laying in with pants and a scarf. “Sorry, ma’am, ah, sorry, sorry”, he says backing out into the door as I ensure my WHOLE body is covered. So, needless to say, I was awake after my encounter with the Marriott man. This is about the equivalent of the repair man catching you coming out of the shower. Oh, don’t worry, that has also happened to me. Now, you might be thinking ‘so, your deadbolt doesn’t work’, yes, I am thinking the same thing. I am meeting with my security director and the manager tomorrow, mean while, I have an escape route planned through my window … kidding. For now I have put the “I like thinks in place” sign outside my door. No, that is not a typo on my end, it is really what the door hangie says and I am assuming it means do not disturb. I thought about writing that on it, but didn’t want to get the wrap as the sassy girl on my first night. So there you have it, a bit of food for thought from me and as always, an awkward travel story. No worries, I’m sure there are plenty more to come, as I tend to thrive in awkward situations. Like today when we were meeting with a Commissioner and his two puppies were licking my crotch, yes, just another day in the life of Anna. No, but really, it is those moments when you are outside your comfort zone, outside what you know to be true, walking down a new path, it is those moments when you learn the most about both yourself and the world. Here is to a new journey and hopefully stepping outside of what I know to be true.