How Vain Are You?

Would you be able to live in a house without a mirror?  Think about how often you look at yourself in a mirror.  After you brush your teeth, you look at yourself to make sure you don’t have toothpaste on your face; when you put your contacts in your eyes; when you brush your hair; when you put on makeup; when you shave your face, when you tweeze your eyebrows; all of these daily activites typically involve looking at your reflection in the mirror.  And don’t forget the quick glance in the mirror before you leave home to make sure your tie is on straight or your hair is styled correctly, or when washing your hands after using the restroom.  So, do you think you could break the habit and live without a mirror? Or at least go about your daily life without the use of a mirror for just one month?

I’m sure some people reading this will respond “yes, I can live without a mirror—I have done so when camping”. But can you really imagine yourself living the same life you have right now and still answer “yes”?

Well, I’m facing this situation right now.  The human resources director of the hospital on Santa Cruz Island offered me a room in her home over the course of my one month stay on the island.  Her home is an average home on the island but would be considered very humble in the eyes of any North American.  And within this home, I have yet to find a mirror; that’s correct, not even the bathroom (which is outside) has a mirror.

I think this is quite common.  My first residence in Quito also did not have a mirror in the house.  The lady of the house used a pocket size mirror that she kept in her purse when applying makeup.  This was one of the many reasons I moved to a new location for my one month stay in Quito.  Also, very few public restrooms or restroom in restaurants have mirrors.  I’m not sure why mirrors are so rare to find.

….. Well, after 40 hours of living without a mirror, I purchased a small handheld mirror at a local shop for $5.  I suppose I’m calling myself vain or at least I’m admitting I like to see my reflection each day.  This one little luxury is a wonderful aid in my daily regimen and is greatly improving my stay on the island.  J