Of the 13 volunteers, it turns out that the black sheep of this family could have been me!
Last night’s campfire chatter turned to the subject of group travel. We shared comical stories of bad experiences from the past, but equally remarking how well – despite our age/experience gaps – we were all getting on. Our overriding compatibility- we agreed- was love of travel, adventure and elephants.
It was as the conversation swung to the scourge of social media that the guy next to me, who I have grown to like, respect and admire confessed that on first meeting he had the thought, ‘she is not the type of person to do this type of work’
Oh my. Considering my earlier post about difficult people who spoil the group dynamics. Could people have thought me the most likely candidate? Me? Is it the way I look ( I still have my florescent pink summer painted toenails), my body language or is it something I said?
I pushed for his reasoning. Stressing that first impressions were important if I was to do Anthropological fieldwork in future and that I needed the honest open feedback to impact change.
Alas this feedback was not to come. Not finding the right words, he only said that he had been wrong in his assumption. Realising quickly this after I had mixed my 3rd lot of cement and volunteered for extra camp duties.
I know that it is not what I said that gives the wrong first impression. I have very quickly become the butt of the jokes (my snoring, my burnt toast), the one to ask ( where is my head torch? do I have any burn cream? how do I find a nice boyfriend/ career?). Bridging well between the Gen Z crowd who call me ‘something’ Kate in each conversation : great Kate, late Kate, wild Kate, and the mature set who cover: politics, places travelled, careers and family.
I surmise that the comment was about my physical prowess, or lack of it. It’s right that I’m short and carry too many kilos, but I’m as strong as an ox, resilient and determined. Of this I am proud.
Footnote : please my dearest women friends don’t be upset by this post. I’m not 🙂
Comments
5 responses to “The black sheep of the family?”
Oooo someone put a ❌ on your top RH corner 🙈.
Sounds like it’s now changed to a ✅
😂
X
Funny Geddes :))
Love it
So what does Kate think of Kate during this experience with others out in the middle of “Knowhere?” Is she experiencing herself differently? Will she feel herself different when she returns to her own abode? Are there new questions she’s asking herself?….
What an adventure!❤️
Determined Kate! Definitely! I’m left wondering who was the difficult person on that trip in your 30s…? 😳
A story for a glass of wine 🙂