Back in the early 90s, I was a musician in a missionary group (which is sometimes called being a "musicianary"). My electric bass and I traveled throughout North America and all over the world.
The region that impacted me the most was western Africa, in spite of the harsh traveling conditions. We had a bus with no A/C in the Equatorial heat. The drinking water had parasites. We often slept on the ground. Bathroom conveniences were few. The Malaria medication gave us awful headaches. We didn't have an adequate diet and we all lost a lot of weight. At a border crossing, the guards seized our bus and wanted a bribe to give it back.
You can see pictures of the Third World but living in it first hand for a period of time makes it real.
Fast forward and I now work each day helping Californians buy homes and agents market properties with lots of amenities. I think back to western Africa housing, particularly in the rural areas, at times. Well and septic inspection? Not on the radar. Home inspection? Most people there don't have plumbing, electrical, HVAC or foundations. Lead paint? Not a consideration in those rural mud huts. Pest inspection? Mosquitoes...every where. Water features, Berber, stainless appliances, jetted tubs, pools, formal dining rooms, cherry cabinets, security systems, HOAs and quality schools were completely unknown to them.
It's always enjoyable in the mortgage business to help someone get into a nice home. But I came home from Africa with a different view of housing in the Golden State. If I have clean water, indoor plumbing, insulation, utilities, windows, walls and a roof, that's plenty.
(Photo taken February, 1990--Ivory Coast)
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