Diverting thoughts of hunger

Raw cabbage for a snack, anyone?

It's Day 4 and my stomach has been growling constantly since mid-afternoon. I ate my same old pap and cabbage for lunch (with seasoning :) ) at around 11:30 and by 14:00 my apple for the day was devoured. I'm so glad we managed to leave some small treats to comfort us later in the week. We have that extra apple to share between us after dinner tonight. Somehow that's not so comforting at 4pm. My mind in consumed with thoughts of food. Which brings me to today's subject: diversion.

The night before last Miri opted to go to bed early so she could stop thinking about her hunger. I tried to convince her otherwise because I had done the same the night before, and sleeping early just meant I accomplished even less in my day. We're already functioning at reduced capacity during school or work. Focus takes a little longer. Walking goes a little slower. Instead last night we both found ways to busy ourselves: Miri at a concert and I at an art opening. Although going out can be more challenging because there aren't a lot of ways to be entertained without involving food. Miri was surrounded by others enjoying the delights of a stadium event, and I was teased by the free sushi and wine in which I could not partake at the opening. 

I suppose there is good and bad to these teasers. I feel good in the sense that I have set my mind to the task. It was actually not as difficult as I thought it might be to turn down the free food that others enjoyed, and the art was a welcome distraction from my hunger. I also felt proud of Miri that she too at a young age has felt strongly enough about the challenge to resist opportunities to 'cheat' throughout the week. And yet the darker side comes in when I consider that our success is largely due to an ability to say "only two more days and I can enjoy a hearty breakfast and latte." Not exactly a level playing field to those who actually experience living below the line. Even the ways that we were able to distract our minds away from our hungry bellies were not options open to the disadvantaged. Firstly, I was driven to the art exhibition, as was Miri to the concert. We could never have walked to these locales or even taken a train if we were living below the line. Even if someone were living nearby the art gallery, I am sure someone living below the line would have been kindly escorted out of the event before enjoying a glass of wine and some tapas. It really is incredible the layering of disadvantage that poverty brings. I wonder what those below the line do to distract themselves from the hunger, and what they do to keep getting up to repeat the process day in and out. 

For now I will sign off and treat myself to a free walk up and down some stairs to try to brighten my mind and quiet the hunger pangs... all the while knowing that in just over a day this difficult experience will no longer endure.