Food for thought.

Finally, I have been able to celebrate Thanksgiving! Prior to this year, my only knowledge of it was from watching 'Friends' episodes and dashing around Tesco's with an American student a few years ago looking for 'pie crusts' to make apple pie (they don't sell them by the way).  I had lots of great food (my personal favourite was the sweet potato & marshmallow dish - yes that is right they are served together as one rather fabulous accompaniment to the turkey. I also got to play in the snow in Oregon and meet even more very welcoming Americans :).

When I was about 15 someone told me about a piece of research called 'The Global Village' where they had reduced the world's statistics to a village of 100 people. What was I thankful for this Thanksgiving? I will let this speak for itself!

If the world was a Village of 100 people...

• 1 would have a degree 
• 14 would have access to a phone.
• 7 would have a computer
• 33 adults would be unable to read.
• 24 would have no electricity.
• 80 would live in substandard housing.
• 50 would be malnourished.

It's hard to believe isn't it! Apparently, those of us who have food in the fridge, clothes to wear, a roof over your head and somewhere to sleep are more comfortable than 75% of the world.

I can remember reading those facts at 15 changed my perspective of 'normal' . Now being in California and regularly hearing people's experiences that are so different to my own (e.g. people at school with me who used to be homeless and some who were cocaine/alcohol addicts) and also hearing different guest speakers who have spent their lives working with orphans, prisoners or recovering heroine addicts - my perspective of normal is continuing to change!

Cheesy shot of me and the dessert -pre-pie crust!

Sweet potato, cranberries, marshmallows and pecans...looks a bit grim, tastes fabulous :)

Official information about the Global Village stats: http://www.odt.org/popvillage.htm