Finding a happy place in a very unhappy country

Some of the things I value, especially after spending a few months over here, are privacy, silence and relaxation. Living in a bay with 7 other people and working in a compound with dozens of rowdy boys means that there isn't much to go around. In order to keep my sanity, and my temper on occasion, I searched for a way to unwind and take my mind off of work, rocket attacks and the layer of dust that is everywhere. 

What I found was a way to clear the dust, drown out the background noises and wash away my work-related thoughts. Literally. 

This is the shower closest to my room. What does it remind you of? I'll tell you what it reminds me of- a spa or a sauna! Obviously the metal walls would never be found in a spa that would attract many clients in the US, but the wooden floors offer just enough material for the imagination to build with. 

I put my things in a cubby and pretend that instead of being in the middle of a war-ridden desert, I am at a spa tucked away in the woods. I take long showers whenever I can, and I try to let the hot water trick me into feeling like I'm home. I also peek over at the vent and pretend that the one tree I see through it is actually one of hundreds! 

Never mind the grime in the corners and writing on the frame. You just have to see past them and focus on whatever it is that helps you forget that once you get out you'll be heading back into sand storms, 80hour work weeks and zero privacy. 

It's worked for me so far :)