Welcome my wonderful readers!

I've been away from my home country of the U,S, and roughin' it in a Third World country for 12 Christmas seasons now. This story(along with the other chapters of my life) is told in my autobiography(https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...) to be released in February.

Since there's 12 days left until Christmas I thought I'd give my own spin on the 'ol 12 days with the top 12 inconveniences of living in this underdeveloped nation that I find myself in. Not to be a downer or anything, but as an FYI for those who have never expeirenced such hardships. Like an insightful book that can inform you about less than ideal places in the world. All while keeping you in the comforts of your own home.

So here we go. Drumroll...

1.) Disaster Prone - Every country is subject to Mother Nature's wrath, but some are better prepared than others. And many disasters are man-made due to hardheadedness.

This was the case in 2009 when we lost over 90% of everything we owned due to flooding. A powerful typhoon hit our area, and because the local authorities did not properly maintain a nearby lagoon, as well as residents being irresponsible with trash, our apartment was completely submerged under water! (Pics will be in the autobiography).

2.) Brown-outs - Again due to man-made idiocy, we sometimes have to deal with the highly-inconvenient situation of having no electricity. Doesn't matter what kind of weather is going on outside. They'll flip the switch with no notice, blaming it on financial problems. Apparently unable to figure out that there can be other, more wiser solutions in managing power supply.

3.) Pollution - I'm not sure if they have anti-pollution laws in these parts, but if they do it's obvious that they don't give a damn about enforcing them! What could be a beautiful mountainous city is suffocated by the willful ignorance of its community as they refuse to clean up their act.

If you take the primary mode of transportation, by the time you reach your destination your face will be covered in a coat of smog, while being able to taste its poisonous compounds as it fills your mouth and heads down into your lungs. Yay!

4,) Happy-go-lucky to an extreme - There's nothing wrong with someone choosing to live a happy-go-lucky lifestyle, unless it directly affects others!

Unreliability is a huge factor, which is why these parts remain under Third World status. If a country wants to be primitive, that's their right, but if they claim to want to be First World then they have to really be willing to do what it takes, including being responsible with their words, actions, etc.

5.) Generic meds - Some say countries like the U.S. are too reliant on medications, and they very-well might have a valid point, but when you find yourself in a part of the world where they don't use anesthetic for things like root canals, pill-poppin' Americans don't seem that crazy after all!

6.) to be stared at, to be treated differently, just because you're not a native. Where I'm from we call this discrimination!

7.) It's been over a year since I last had a glass of milk. Back when I was in the capital of this country, since this was the only location you could find U.S. milk. And given its high import price, I was only able to savor a half gallon.

American food in general is scarce here, so when I do happen to find items from back home I treasure them!

8.) Artificial Christmas - From the trees to the spirit, it's been so long since I last experienced a real Christmas!

9.) Amenities - Like to bake? Me too, but having an oven over here is a luxury! Like the convenience of going to your kitchen sink and simply turning the faucet on to have instant hot water? Here it's just a dream!

10.) Unlike most of the hardships on this list, weather is not a choice. The climate is so awful in the rest of the country that it's nearly impossible to concentrate on something like writing, which is why we have lived in this mountainous area for so many years.

11.) Customer Service - I happen to come from the land of customer service, so to live in a place where their version is not that much more than "sir" and "ma'am", it can be quite frustrating!

Try to special-order something, like milk, or anything else for that matter, and it's like you're asking for miracles to be performed!

12.) Lack of Diversity - I sure do miss going outside and seeing a rainbow of cultures and people.

And there you have it. I usually keep my discomforts to myself, but occasionally they'll slip, and sometimes when they do I'll get a reply from an ignoranus like, "Why don't you just go home then?" Yep, rather remain stubborn and defiant instead of changing for the better so as to really become a reliable First World society.

Oh what a sacrifice I've made to be with my wife! This is why those who support my literary works are my heroes, because eventually I'm going to earn enough to get us home!

See you tomorrow:)

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