I’m going to New York City. This trip came up rather suddenly and has sparked a flurry of questions.
What airplane ticket, what hotel, what is the schedule of the main event, what time will I schedule all the meetings, how do you use cell phones in the US, how on earth will I survive a flight all the way to NY without children, why didn’t I train for the New York City Marathon, will Tom and Lucy be okay without me?
And one of the most urgent questions: What am I going to wear?
Three women are going and while our men laughed, we all had the same question. What are we going to wear?
I own sandals and running shoes. So do I freeze my toes off or tromp around in flourescent yellow tennis shoes while wearing a black dress?
I am heading into year number 2 of no shopping, of washing clothes in salty water, of sweating yellow stains into every armpit, and of burned out elastic bands. Year number 2 is a rough one, fashion-wise, in Djibouti. Because we have one long warm season (12-months long), wearing clothes for one year is the equivalent to wearing them for four in Minnesota. With that in mind, I’ve been wearing mine for 6 years.
The other day I went out in something and was so embarrassed when I caught a side glance of myself in a window that upon returning home I took the clothes off and immediately dropped them into my toss-it pile. Those were some of the better clothes.

Its hard to wear such awful earrings and be so shiny and wear such an ill-fitting shirt…ahem…I mean, its hard to look so good
So…what am I going to wear?
Blue jeans? It is hard to know whether or not jeans still fit because in the bloated, swollen, sticky-skinned season which is 12-months long, like I said, jeans are hard to pull on.
I could wear the shirt with the coffee stains on the front or the one with the missing buttons or the one with the stretched-out neckline or the one with the crow poop from hanging on the line. I could wear the pants that give me mom-butt. I am a mom and while I have a butt, I prefer to keep the two as far apart as possible.
My hair is in dire need of a hairdresser but I’ve been saving up for a Curly Cuts day in Minneapolis. Haircuts here are expensive so this means I’ve gone six months of no haircut and no hair color. Things are looking gnarly. I didn’t plan on a trip to New York.
I have one fleece jacket that I bought in 2002. It has served me well these past 11 years (since I wear it only while traveling it has seen approximately two-months worth of wear) but I don’t think it was designed to keep people warm at movie premieres.
Because that’s why I’m going. Enough about clothes, this is the important deal: The Runner’s World and Saucony film featuring Girls Run 2 is premiering the weekend of the New York City Marathon. One of the coaches, one of the founders, and I are heading to New York.
Returning to the US is something I like to ease into. I’ve never been there, straight from Djibouti, without my mom or dad’s face being the first thing I see. Familiarity. The grass and lakes of Minneapolis. The house that smells like my childhood. Now it will be one straight thrust into all that is good and overwhelming about American culture without my reliable protection of family and a box of clothes from friends who know I’ve been lost for two years down the fashion no-man’s hole.
Excited. I will bring a box of Kleenex because I know the movie will be stellar and I know the girls will look beautiful and inspiring.
Sad. That Tom and the kids aren’t coming, I’ve never traveled so far without at least one of them along.
Eager. I am planning meetings with other amazing people as well, not all related to the film.
Hopeful. Can’t wait to see what possibilities this holds for the running team.
Foreign. For some reason I really feel my expat-ness thinking about this trip. Maybe because it is taking me out of my Minnesota comfort zone or because I’m feeling culture shock already or because I’m nervous-excited about the implications of some of these meetings. On my last flight to Kenya a man sat next to me who had never flown before. I had helped him with everything from seat buckle to headphones to opening salt and pepper packets but before I could stop him, he ate the butter straight from the plastic pot, with his fork. I feel like I will be an airplane-butter-eater in New York City.
Nervous. Not that I’m this superficial, but okay, maybe I am sometimes. I just came out of the ‘I tuck my dress into my underwear‘ season and I don’t think that flies in New York. Although on the other hand, pretty much anything flies in New York. But still. You know how clothes help with confidence? What am I going to wear?
Advice?
Wonderful article. I have no advice. When I was a kid we took vacations on resorts on Minnesota lakes. You must have done something well in learning to be part of the culture in and near Djibouti. It sounds like you are now home in Minnesota or Djibouti but not in New York City. It’s so wonderful to read your stories. I look forward to seeing the movie. How many theaters will it play in or will it mostly be through videos. God bless you and your family when you are gone and you are such an encouragement in your writing and I am confident in your life in your second home in Djibouti. Thank you for an uplifting communique.
Could you order some stuff on amazon prime for delivery to your hotel. That is what I would do. I suppose I should has said something like clothes don’t matter but … well they don’t but I would still order off amazon!
Oh dear! You’re going to freeze, Rachel! What an exciting trip!
I like the Amazon idea, or just order from Target and ship it to the hotel. Can’t wait to hear more about it!
just cringe every time as we pick out our best, pack it in a few meager suitcases, think we actually look passable and then hit a western airport and wish we didn’t look like american refugees who’ve spent the last several years on the backside of the desert. and so true… having your kids does help buffer that feeling a bit.
when we flew in through montreal to take the train the rest of the way to michigan one time – right after our littlest guy was born – we had a trusted someone ship us some cold weather stuff – january in montreal is not for the faint-hearted or the fleece-jacket covered. 🙂 Not winter coats… but stylish stuff to layer, etc. could someone do that for you? and i was just told that a messy pony tail or bun is always in style… even when it isn’t necessarily “your” style. (with 8 kids… pretty much always messy like it or not!)
how does the rest of the world get to see the movie.
have fun!!!
I love this, Rachel. I can SO understand! When we came back to the US from Central Asia last summer, we thought we would leave again in August. Not so. We have almost no winter clothes with us and the cold hit early this year. The winter clothes I have in CA are virtually all Islamic, so there was no sense in bringing those home. Well, I’ve obviously had plenty of time to shop but have procrastinated and dreaded spending the money on a new wardrobe. Can you plan a day of shopping on the front end? I can’t imagine where you do affordable shopping in NYC. I like the idea of ordering some things and having them sent to your hotel. Happy travels!
Hi Rachel,
I wonder if your contacts at Runner’s World and Saucony could help outfit you? They should know people/companies who would be willing (and eager) to sponsor your wardrobe for the event.
Can’t wait to hear about the trip!
Or, cld you put out a call to friends, asking for any contacts in NYC that might have clothes your size?
Rachel,
Reach out to the SheLoves Community – we’ve got to have someone in NYC who can lend you all dresses and coats. If not, I live in DC and can mail you some options to your hotel, if/when you have a hotel. Email or DM me on Twitter (alanastrong) if I can help!
So so excited for you Rachel. You are going to have a blast. Get your fix of croissants and bagels down there!
Carbo Loading? 🙂
xoxox
Carbo loading for the 5k, that’s a thing, right? Ha. Am slightly bummed that I’m not marathon-ready, though getting marathon ready would probably have killed me in Djibouti. Literally.
I soooo get this! Growing up we would inevitably land (after 4 years away) on a Saturday night. My dad, being who he is, would have us up and out the door the very next day for CHURCH!!!! It was a TCK hell of sorts. When everyone else was wearing mini skirts, ours were to the calf. When everyone else wore bell bottoms, we had straight legs. It goes on and on. So I’m with Kelli – Amazon Prime! 🙂 Although NYC….Just head to around the Empire State Building and there is every store imaginable.
Your TCK hell comment was perfect, made me laugh out loud.
Wow…so exciting! How soon do you go? Can’t wait to hear all about your trip! When do we get to see the movie? I’ll be praying for safe travels and a fun trip! Any “book meetings”? 🙂
Yes…’book’ meeting on Monday.
Hi Rachel: I do have some winter clothes in Djibouti that you might want to take. Call me on 77055223 if you want. I am out of the country now but I will be back on the 4th of November.
Rachel, I know some TCKs in NYC that would be able to help you.
What a great community you have here!!
Clothes don’t matter and your girls are going to shine and people will be moved to help them to succeed.
But I think you have some great offers here and I look forward to seeing what God provides for you to wear :0) God bless.
Right on – clothes don’t matter and right on- these are amazing people!
I have landed in the US and am now checking these comments. Wow, you guys are amazing, I should have posted this earlier! I’m here already so no chance to mail things but what a great idea for in the future (if this kind of thing ever happens again). We do have two days before the planned events start up so shopping is on the list. Hopefully something affordable will fall into my arms. Seriously though, I’m so encouraged by you guys’s ideas and thoughtfulness.
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