This post is about a time warp, about the incredible pace of change in communications technology, and about the love between a mother and her daughter.
So why does it contain an image of Martin Sheen?
It's a slow Sunday in Sefphofe, and Dia is looking for something to do with her down time. She's fed the puppy that she takes care of. So she sent her Mom a message on What'sApp suggesting that they watch an episode of the West Wing together. This happens every once in a while, when we think she might be getting a little bored or homesick.
Dia has downloaded the entire series on her laptop, which, among other things, makes me hope that NBC does not have copyright lawyers in Botswana or who are paid to scour obscure blogs written by Peace Corps parents.
Mostly it makes me amazed that Dia and Ellen are watching the same TV show simultaneously and texting one another about it as they do. Almost as if they were sitting next to one another on the couch.
Decades ago, the first time I moved overseas, I spoke to my family on Christmas. The phone call took days to arrange and cost more than two hundred dollars. It was the only phone call, the only communication we had besides letters. It's a new world. I'll get used to it eventually.
I remember too making arrangements for a once a month phone call home from Bosnia. From Kosovo. Even early days in Afghanistan. Waiting in a long line at a phone booth to use a prepaid phone call or using a satellite phone...and now with technology, you are so right. Just Skype. Or Whats App. Or Facebook. To watch a TV show together? Such a great idea! But here's my dirty little secret. Even with the technology I wouldn't call home, even though it was easy & cheap - because the sound of a loved one's voice tore me up.
ReplyDeleteLoving your blog. It also inspires me.