I’ve been in Namibia for a little over 2 weeks now, and things are starting to settle down into a routine. Last week I moved in with a host family in town, and they’re great. I thought living with a host family was going to be one of the most awkward things about Peace Corps, but it’s really not so bad. I have a great Ima (mom) 4 sisters and a 3 year old nephew, and I get along with everyone really well. So my schedule for training is Monday through Friday awake by 6:15, training sessions from 8 to 5, dinner around 6 followed by quality Namibian TV, and in bed by 9:30. Wild and crazy adventures? Not yet. My life here is much more comfortable than I think most PCVs brace themselves for (hot running water, electricity, toilets, TV), but I guess I’ll live it up now since once I get to my permanent site up in the Caprivi I probably won’t have any of those amenities.
TV especially is one of the funniest things about Namibia. For one thing everyone in the country LOVES soap operas, which they call soapies, and the favorite one is called “Lorenzo’s Wife” which is a Spanish soap opera dubbed really poorly into English, and broadcast on network Namibian TV. It’s so random, but it’s great in a really terrible way. Right now my host family is watching Big Brother Africa, which is the big TV event. They have 14 contestants and one is Namibian. Tonight is the first episode and the lead in to the actual episode has been going on for 4 hours. Watching TV every night is probably not one of the things I was expecting to be doing when I joined peace corps.
This weekend we had a cultural celebration at the center, and each language group cooked traditional food over open fires, and trainers wore their traditional dress. We got there at 7 am to cook before it got too hot (it gets HOT by midday and it’s not even summer yet!) and each group cooked a few dishes. We got live chickens which we slaughtered (I didn’t participate in that part, being too close to vegetarianism) and we had goat heads galore. At the Silozi table we made 5 year vegetable which are kind of like collard greens, fresh river fish from the Zambezi, traditional porridge (pretty much every ethnic group in Namibia makes it: it’s ground maize meal, kind of like cream of wheat or polenta), roasted ground nuts, which were actually just peanuts, and sweet potato. We went down a line with our plates and got food piled on from each group and by the end I had a plate piled SO high with food I could barely eat a third of what I had. Some wondrous items that made it on my plate include goat stomach, lung and intestines, 3 different kinds of porridge, lots of beans…just a whole mess of food. I also tried traditional Herero sour milk which actually wasn’t as gross as I thought it would be. My favorites were the Silozi greens and fat cakes, which are basically fried sweet rolls…so good, but you can feel the grease sitting on your stomach after you eat one. I’m excited for my Caprivi diet: it’s much more fertile in that region than the rest of Namibia, so I’ll be able to keep a garden for fresh veggies. I’m also excited to start eating a little healthier, since I’ve found that Namibians are quite fond of mayonnaise and put it on everything.
Hmm, so, more about the training schedule. We start at 8, and we have singing and dancing for the first 15 or 20 minutes which is probably my favorite part of the day. After that we have language classes from 8:30 to 1. Uggh. I’m learning Silozi, which is not going so well. Trying to learn a language enough to become conversant in it in 2 months is definitely frustrating. We’ll see how much I know when I leave in October…hopefully I’ll be able to pick up a lot in my first few weeks at site. In the afternoons we have different sessions about health and safety and cultural integration so we can stay healthy and integrate into our sites during the next 2 years. Other than that I’ve just been getting to know the other trainees and training staff which has been a lot of fun. Everyone is great and it’s nice to have other people around to soak everything in with.
On Wednesday we find out our permanent sites. I’m one of the few that’s known what region I’m ending up in, because my language group is so small, but on Wednesday I’ll finally find out which village in Caprivi I’ll be headed to. We have it narrowed down to three, so it’s just a question of which of us are going to each village. My host mom told me today that she wants me to go to Bukalo because it’s closest to Katima Mulilo, the town in Caprivi, and I might have electricity and maybe even a brick house. My host fam is shocked that they’re sending me to a village, and I’m not sure they believe in my ability to handle village life. My host mom grew up in Mpalila, which is an island in the Zambezi that touches Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia, but my sisters grew up in towns so never had to live in a village. It’s definitely going to be an adjustment at first to get used to carrying water and living in a mud hut and cooking on a fire but I think I’ll get used to it pretty quickly. A PCV in Caprivi came to our festival on Saturday and gave us some good advice about getting used to village life, such as to hang up fabric to keep worms from falling through the thatch roof in the rainy season and to be careful when running because I might startle an elephant and it’ll trample me (don’t worry about anything happening to me while running though…I’m pretty sure that’s not going to happen in the next 2 years). I’m really excited to get to that part of the country though. I think it’s going to be awesome.
So all in all it’s been a pretty great 2 weeks and I’m really excited for the next two years! Exhausted, but excited. And hey, send me your address if you want postcards!
Mu siyale hande! Peace out.
Ps. So i have some really awesome pictures from our lunch the other day that I'm trying to upload but it's taking a reeeeally long time, so that might just have to wait. Sorry!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Caprivi Strip what!!!!!!!!
Greetings from Namibia!
(I apologize in advance for the disorganization and ramblingness of this post. My head is still spinning a little bit)
We’ve been at the training site since Friday, after a little bit of a hectic experience at the airport. Basically, we were supposed to take a 9:40 flight and some of us (the first 10 in the alphabet) got bumped to a later flight at 1:20. So my group arrived in Windhoek and the site 4 hours later than everyone else so we missed the original welcome song and dance which was a little disappointing. But, luckily we sing Namibian songs every morning, so it’s not too disappointing.
Right now we’re living in a hostel at our training site, and we’ve spent the last 3 days in preliminary training activities and lectures and our free time hanging out and getting to know each other. Even though it’s only been a week since staging in D.C. I can honestly say that every single person in Nam 30 is awesome. Everyone is so funny and open; it feels like being in college but being friends with every person in your freshman class. I can sit down and have a hilarious, honest conversation with anyone and find several things in common with each person. I kind of wish we could all keep living at the hostel during training, but on Friday we move in with host families in the area, in order to become integrated into the customs and culture of Namibia and to become immersed in our local language.
Tomorrow we start language training which is what I’m most excited about so far, partly because I’m extremely excited to start learning an African language, and also because this will be the first major indication of where in the country we’re going to be placed. PC/Namibia is changing the structure of the program this year in several ways. Firstly, in the past groups either went to the northern parts of Namibia, which is more homogenous and less westernized (i.e. less likely to have a western style house, electricity, running water, etc.) or the south, which is more diverse economically and in terms of race, and more “developed.” Since the last group of education volunteers went to the north, my group in the past would all be placed in the south, with maybe a few going to the Caprivi strip, which is the most rural you can get (the Caprivi strip is the little strip of land that goes between Botswana and Zambia along the Zambezi river). But, my group is being sent to all 13 regions, with a very wide range of accommodations. We have 18 English, 6 math teachers, 5 science teachers and 4 computer science teachers. Since there were so many English teachers our APCD read out the list of schools, what they were looking for, how big/small they are, how rural/urban the setting is, and what kind of accommodations we would receive. The other education sectors’ choices were mostly limited to urban or semi-urban areas, but for English teachers the choices were very diverse: some of them were schools in extremely rural areas where you live in a hut without electricity or running water, and some of them were in cities with internet at the school and full western style flats with electricity, shower, etc. Then, after hearing the choices we each wrote down 3 choices and then interviewed with our APCD about what we want, what our skills are etc.
So, I naturally picked the sites with huts, most likely no running water or electricity, and in the middle of nowhere (although hopefully only 20 ks from another PCV and the nearest town). I’m not sure if I’m going to get any of my choices but I’m pretty sure that would be awesome, although I’m not sure why. I would really be fine with anything, but I would rather be in a rural area where I would be forced to learn and use the local language and really challenge myself to adapt physically to my environment(although anywhere you’re placed in Namibia is a challenge and you have to adapt yourself in different ways.) I won’t find out what site I get until 2 weeks from now(!) but tomorrow at least I’ll know what language I’m learning so that will give me general idea of the region. We’re learning one of six languages: Oshindonga, Afrikaans, Silozi, Rukwangali, Otjiherero, and Khoekhoegowab (a click language spoken by the bushmen).
Sunday was my birthday, and I must say that I had a really amazing birthday thanks to my wonderful co-trainees. They even bought me a slice of cake from spar and sang happy birthday at dinner, and gave me wonderful Namibian gifts (such as meringue cookies and good pens from home. Which actually aren’t Namibian). The trainers sang me happy birthday in 3 different languages on Saturday too, thinking my birthday was that day, and then one of them sang to me in Oshiwambo at dinner on Sunday. I thought being away from home on my birthday might be hard, but actually it was fabulous. I love Namibia and I’m so happy to be here with all these great people. It feels like really cool summer camp. I guess we’ll see how it feels as training goes on…
Anyway, anyone at home who’s reading this…love ya! Miss ya! But probably not enough to ever come home…just kidding…
UPDATE
I found out what language I'm learning and it's Silozi, which means I'm going to the Caprivi strip, which is as rural as you can get! Basically I won't have electricity, running water and I'll be very very immersed in the culture. the culture is very different from the rest of namibia as well, and it's much greener and lush than the rest of namibia. There's also wildlife aka wild elephants roaming around and poisonous snakes which is kind of terrifying but oh well....
I'll update more later because for now I have to go. See ya!!
(I apologize in advance for the disorganization and ramblingness of this post. My head is still spinning a little bit)
We’ve been at the training site since Friday, after a little bit of a hectic experience at the airport. Basically, we were supposed to take a 9:40 flight and some of us (the first 10 in the alphabet) got bumped to a later flight at 1:20. So my group arrived in Windhoek and the site 4 hours later than everyone else so we missed the original welcome song and dance which was a little disappointing. But, luckily we sing Namibian songs every morning, so it’s not too disappointing.
Right now we’re living in a hostel at our training site, and we’ve spent the last 3 days in preliminary training activities and lectures and our free time hanging out and getting to know each other. Even though it’s only been a week since staging in D.C. I can honestly say that every single person in Nam 30 is awesome. Everyone is so funny and open; it feels like being in college but being friends with every person in your freshman class. I can sit down and have a hilarious, honest conversation with anyone and find several things in common with each person. I kind of wish we could all keep living at the hostel during training, but on Friday we move in with host families in the area, in order to become integrated into the customs and culture of Namibia and to become immersed in our local language.
Tomorrow we start language training which is what I’m most excited about so far, partly because I’m extremely excited to start learning an African language, and also because this will be the first major indication of where in the country we’re going to be placed. PC/Namibia is changing the structure of the program this year in several ways. Firstly, in the past groups either went to the northern parts of Namibia, which is more homogenous and less westernized (i.e. less likely to have a western style house, electricity, running water, etc.) or the south, which is more diverse economically and in terms of race, and more “developed.” Since the last group of education volunteers went to the north, my group in the past would all be placed in the south, with maybe a few going to the Caprivi strip, which is the most rural you can get (the Caprivi strip is the little strip of land that goes between Botswana and Zambia along the Zambezi river). But, my group is being sent to all 13 regions, with a very wide range of accommodations. We have 18 English, 6 math teachers, 5 science teachers and 4 computer science teachers. Since there were so many English teachers our APCD read out the list of schools, what they were looking for, how big/small they are, how rural/urban the setting is, and what kind of accommodations we would receive. The other education sectors’ choices were mostly limited to urban or semi-urban areas, but for English teachers the choices were very diverse: some of them were schools in extremely rural areas where you live in a hut without electricity or running water, and some of them were in cities with internet at the school and full western style flats with electricity, shower, etc. Then, after hearing the choices we each wrote down 3 choices and then interviewed with our APCD about what we want, what our skills are etc.
So, I naturally picked the sites with huts, most likely no running water or electricity, and in the middle of nowhere (although hopefully only 20 ks from another PCV and the nearest town). I’m not sure if I’m going to get any of my choices but I’m pretty sure that would be awesome, although I’m not sure why. I would really be fine with anything, but I would rather be in a rural area where I would be forced to learn and use the local language and really challenge myself to adapt physically to my environment(although anywhere you’re placed in Namibia is a challenge and you have to adapt yourself in different ways.) I won’t find out what site I get until 2 weeks from now(!) but tomorrow at least I’ll know what language I’m learning so that will give me general idea of the region. We’re learning one of six languages: Oshindonga, Afrikaans, Silozi, Rukwangali, Otjiherero, and Khoekhoegowab (a click language spoken by the bushmen).
Sunday was my birthday, and I must say that I had a really amazing birthday thanks to my wonderful co-trainees. They even bought me a slice of cake from spar and sang happy birthday at dinner, and gave me wonderful Namibian gifts (such as meringue cookies and good pens from home. Which actually aren’t Namibian). The trainers sang me happy birthday in 3 different languages on Saturday too, thinking my birthday was that day, and then one of them sang to me in Oshiwambo at dinner on Sunday. I thought being away from home on my birthday might be hard, but actually it was fabulous. I love Namibia and I’m so happy to be here with all these great people. It feels like really cool summer camp. I guess we’ll see how it feels as training goes on…
Anyway, anyone at home who’s reading this…love ya! Miss ya! But probably not enough to ever come home…just kidding…
UPDATE
I found out what language I'm learning and it's Silozi, which means I'm going to the Caprivi strip, which is as rural as you can get! Basically I won't have electricity, running water and I'll be very very immersed in the culture. the culture is very different from the rest of namibia as well, and it's much greener and lush than the rest of namibia. There's also wildlife aka wild elephants roaming around and poisonous snakes which is kind of terrifying but oh well....
I'll update more later because for now I have to go. See ya!!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
SA today, Namibia tomorrow!
Just a quick post to update since I'm almost out of internet time:
So far Peace Corps is awesome, Nam 30 is a group of 33 wonderful, funny, down to earth people...we possibly fulfill the peace corps stereotype but it's a good thing! We just got to Joburg today and arrive at Windhoek tomorrow afternoon! I can't wait to see what the training facilities are going to be like.
Ok, almost out of internet time, so I'll update when I can in Namibia!
So far Peace Corps is awesome, Nam 30 is a group of 33 wonderful, funny, down to earth people...we possibly fulfill the peace corps stereotype but it's a good thing! We just got to Joburg today and arrive at Windhoek tomorrow afternoon! I can't wait to see what the training facilities are going to be like.
Ok, almost out of internet time, so I'll update when I can in Namibia!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Remember that I love you
My flight to staging is in about 8 hours, my bags are packed (even though at this point I don't even remember what's in them anymore) and I'm going to enjoy my last few hours unwinding with Brian and a gin and tonic. I'm going through moments of panic and calm, mostly because it doesn't really feel like I'm leaving tomorrow. Most of the panicked moments come with trying to shove a few more things into my bags, which are just about 80 lbs (maybe a couple pounds over, but I'm hoping it won't matter too much...)
So anyway, the next time you hear from me I'll probably be in Namibia, but if I get a chance to post while still in the states I might. Folks from home, please send me your address so I can send postcards and letters. I'll miss you all, and I love everyone in my life so much. Leaving is so hard, but I wouldn't be able to if I didn't have the support of all my friends and family.
You'll be hearing from me soon. But for now, peace out.
So anyway, the next time you hear from me I'll probably be in Namibia, but if I get a chance to post while still in the states I might. Folks from home, please send me your address so I can send postcards and letters. I'll miss you all, and I love everyone in my life so much. Leaving is so hard, but I wouldn't be able to if I didn't have the support of all my friends and family.
You'll be hearing from me soon. But for now, peace out.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Staging updates and travel tips
Hey all,
I booked my flight to staging yesterday and now it really feels like it’s happening! Ahh commence nervous breakdown. No, just kidding. Actually I feel surprisingly calm and less freaked out than I thought I would. I still have 4 weeks for it all to set in though. I think at this point it’s Peace Corps or bust though, I’ve been talking about doing this for so long and been delayed enough. Nam or die!!
So, here are the details: I fly out of Burlington, VT at 7:17 am on Tuesday, August 18th, and arrive in Washington D.C., after a stopover in Philly, at 10:49. Staging is basically a one day intensive orientation where we become official PC trainees. Schedule for training looks like this:
August 18th
1:30: Registration, hand in 5039594 pages of paperwork I have to fill out beforehand (so far all Peace Corps activities have consisted of filling out paperwork. I might be in for a boring 2 years).
3-7: Meetings and info sessions, covering Peace Corps mission and background, anxieties and aspirations for service, risk management and reflection on commitment to service.
August 19th:
8:00: Checkout of hotel.
8:30: Go to clinic for vaccinations (not actually sure what shots I need for Namibia. I do think I have to take malaria pills for 2 years. I’m not sure what the side effects are for taking malaria pills for 2 years straight aside from the regular side effects of nightmares, sexy dreams and nausea/lightheadedness. While taking meflium 2 years ago I fell down the stairs at a hookah bar in Cape Town and then basically passed out on the street until my dear friends gave me a chocolate bar and a bottle of water. Side effect could also be due to not eating all day and smoking too much hookah).
5:40: Flight to Joburg takes off! The flight is 17 hours 40 minutes long. Yes, that is a very long flight. But I’ve already flown to Joburg twice, once when I studied abroad in ’07 and then when I went back after graduation in summer ’08. Actually this time it’s not so bad because we spend the night in Joburg and then fly to Windhoek the next day, as opposed to the last 2 times when we landed and I had to catch connecting flights, either to Cape Town or Port Elizabeth. Or my flight back to the US 2 years ago, when I had to do the whole thing in reverse with a wicked hangover. Try lugging 2 overweight suitcases, a laptop case and a ridiculously heavy backpack across half the world while trying not to puke up a R14 bottle of wine (approx 2 US$ aka NOT GOOD) and countless SA beers. Ha! This time I’m packing light.
Speaking of which they also included a packing advisory sheet which said not to bring more than 80 pounds, but I looked up the baggage limitations for US Air and it said 50 lbs per bag were allowed so I might risk it. Or not, since I have to lug those bags all over Africa (hopefully not hungover, but we’ll see).
I was told I need to have a going away party so it’s going to be August 7th in NYC, at an undetermined restaurant/bar. If you can make it, yay! If not, see you in 2 years. Or, better yet, come to Namibia. There are really cool sand dunes. And me! For the next 2 years at least…
I booked my flight to staging yesterday and now it really feels like it’s happening! Ahh commence nervous breakdown. No, just kidding. Actually I feel surprisingly calm and less freaked out than I thought I would. I still have 4 weeks for it all to set in though. I think at this point it’s Peace Corps or bust though, I’ve been talking about doing this for so long and been delayed enough. Nam or die!!
So, here are the details: I fly out of Burlington, VT at 7:17 am on Tuesday, August 18th, and arrive in Washington D.C., after a stopover in Philly, at 10:49. Staging is basically a one day intensive orientation where we become official PC trainees. Schedule for training looks like this:
August 18th
1:30: Registration, hand in 5039594 pages of paperwork I have to fill out beforehand (so far all Peace Corps activities have consisted of filling out paperwork. I might be in for a boring 2 years).
3-7: Meetings and info sessions, covering Peace Corps mission and background, anxieties and aspirations for service, risk management and reflection on commitment to service.
August 19th:
8:00: Checkout of hotel.
8:30: Go to clinic for vaccinations (not actually sure what shots I need for Namibia. I do think I have to take malaria pills for 2 years. I’m not sure what the side effects are for taking malaria pills for 2 years straight aside from the regular side effects of nightmares, sexy dreams and nausea/lightheadedness. While taking meflium 2 years ago I fell down the stairs at a hookah bar in Cape Town and then basically passed out on the street until my dear friends gave me a chocolate bar and a bottle of water. Side effect could also be due to not eating all day and smoking too much hookah).
5:40: Flight to Joburg takes off! The flight is 17 hours 40 minutes long. Yes, that is a very long flight. But I’ve already flown to Joburg twice, once when I studied abroad in ’07 and then when I went back after graduation in summer ’08. Actually this time it’s not so bad because we spend the night in Joburg and then fly to Windhoek the next day, as opposed to the last 2 times when we landed and I had to catch connecting flights, either to Cape Town or Port Elizabeth. Or my flight back to the US 2 years ago, when I had to do the whole thing in reverse with a wicked hangover. Try lugging 2 overweight suitcases, a laptop case and a ridiculously heavy backpack across half the world while trying not to puke up a R14 bottle of wine (approx 2 US$ aka NOT GOOD) and countless SA beers. Ha! This time I’m packing light.
Speaking of which they also included a packing advisory sheet which said not to bring more than 80 pounds, but I looked up the baggage limitations for US Air and it said 50 lbs per bag were allowed so I might risk it. Or not, since I have to lug those bags all over Africa (hopefully not hungover, but we’ll see).
I was told I need to have a going away party so it’s going to be August 7th in NYC, at an undetermined restaurant/bar. If you can make it, yay! If not, see you in 2 years. Or, better yet, come to Namibia. There are really cool sand dunes. And me! For the next 2 years at least…
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Packing List!
So, going against my very nature, I started the packing process for Namibia about a month ago. And by that I mean I typed up a packing list, bought a backpack and hiking boots at Campmor and haven’t had any time to think about packing since then. But now that I’m unemployed and my life has become infinitely more boring since I was coerced by my parents to spend the month of July in Vermont (hopefully with a week spent WWOOFing in Plattsburgh with Brian!) I’ll be getting into shopping and packing for my trip hardcore. So, without further ado, here is my rough packing list, as compiled from the advice given in the Namibia Welcome Book, stalking other volunteers’ blogs and advice from current volunteers in Namibia.
Packing List:
Clothes:
*Casual dresses for work: 2 or 3
Formal dress: 1
*Skirts for work: 2 or 3
*pants for work: 2
Jeans: 1
*Shorts/Capri to mid-knee: 2 or 3
*Blouses for work: 4 or 5
T-shirts: 4 or 5
Sweaters: 2 or 3
Fleece
Hat, scarf, gloves
Rain Coat
Casual sandals of good quality: 1
*Sandals, comfortable shoes for work: 1
Sneakers: 1
Hiking boots: 1
Flip Flops: (maybe)
Bathing suit and sarong
Pajamas
Sweatpants
Toiletries:
Sunscreen
Face/Body Lotion
Enough shampoo/conditioner, soap, toothpaste etc. for 5 weeks
Tampons
Deoderant
Nail clippers
tweezers
Electronics:
*Laptop
*USB port
Ipod
*Ipod speakers
*digital camera
*shortwave radio
Miscellaneous:
Batteries (AA, rechargeable)
*Solar charger
Duct Tape
*Watch + spare watch
*Swiss army knife
*Flashlight, extra bulbs
US stamps
Envelopes
*2 water bottles
Stationary
Converter
Books!
Candle lantern
Dvds
Pictures
Gifts for my host family
Sleeping bag
Backpack
*Daypack
Games: Uno, travel sized games, playing cards
Seeds (for a garden)
*Full size flat sheets
(The starred items are those I still have to get)
If any past or present volunteers in Namibia come across this post and want to help a sister out by giving some pointers I would be much obliged.
Packing List:
Clothes:
*Casual dresses for work: 2 or 3
Formal dress: 1
*Skirts for work: 2 or 3
*pants for work: 2
Jeans: 1
*Shorts/Capri to mid-knee: 2 or 3
*Blouses for work: 4 or 5
T-shirts: 4 or 5
Sweaters: 2 or 3
Fleece
Hat, scarf, gloves
Rain Coat
Casual sandals of good quality: 1
*Sandals, comfortable shoes for work: 1
Sneakers: 1
Hiking boots: 1
Flip Flops: (maybe)
Bathing suit and sarong
Pajamas
Sweatpants
Toiletries:
Sunscreen
Face/Body Lotion
Enough shampoo/conditioner, soap, toothpaste etc. for 5 weeks
Tampons
Deoderant
Nail clippers
tweezers
Electronics:
*Laptop
*USB port
Ipod
*Ipod speakers
*digital camera
*shortwave radio
Miscellaneous:
Batteries (AA, rechargeable)
*Solar charger
Duct Tape
*Watch + spare watch
*Swiss army knife
*Flashlight, extra bulbs
US stamps
Envelopes
*2 water bottles
Stationary
Converter
Books!
Candle lantern
Dvds
Pictures
Gifts for my host family
Sleeping bag
Backpack
*Daypack
Games: Uno, travel sized games, playing cards
Seeds (for a garden)
*Full size flat sheets
(The starred items are those I still have to get)
If any past or present volunteers in Namibia come across this post and want to help a sister out by giving some pointers I would be much obliged.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Less than two months
Less than two months. In less than two months I’ll be living across an ocean. I’ll be a 30+ hour plane trip away from my family and friends, the support system I was born into and have cultivated in my nearly 23 year existence. I’ll be living in a country the name of which many can’t remember or pronounce, on a continent that for many has only shady or romanticized meanings. I’ll be living without most of the amenities that I consider necessities in my daily life in the US. I’ll be striking out completely on my own, with only 80 pounds of belongings strapped to my back, and I won’t be coming back for 2 years.
Am I nervous? Well, yes. I’m terrified, thanks for asking. Even though I’ve read the blogs, read the books, read the 8 trillion pages of paperwork that came with my invitation kit (well, most of those pages…) I still don’t really know what to expect. I don’t quite know what I’ve gotten myself into. I had a conversation recently with a friend who got a tattoo and then later that night had a moment of panic thinking “oh my god, I got a tattoo! Why did I do that!!!” I’d be lying if I told you that I never had moments in the past month since I got my invitation where all I could think to myself was “Holy s***, you joined the f***ing peace corps!! Why the f*** did you go and do that?????” (those of you who know me might be surprised that my inner monologue is such a potty mouth) I have nights where I lie awake paralyzed by anxieties about everything from packing to what my site is going to be like and in those moments it’s hard to wonder whether or not I’m making a huge mistake.
But then again, there are nights where I lie awake thinking about how excited I am to learn a new language, thinking about the traveling I’m going to be doing, thinking about everything I already love about Africa, the things that exasperate me but that I grew to love and appreciate in my time there. I think about how 2 years ago I stepped off the plane from Jo’burg at JFK and all I could think about was how badly I wanted to go back. I think about the people I’m going to help and the good I’m hopefully going to do. And in those moments, I wonder how I’m ever going to get everything done in 2 years, how, when the time comes, I’m ever going to be able to get back on the plane to take me away from Africa, to take me home.
And yes, I worry far too much, but that’s the way I am, it can’t be helped. So yes, I am nervous. But I’m also so excited and so so happy to have the opportunity to do this. And even despite those moments of doubt I feel sure of my decision that I’m doing the right thing, that I can handle this, that I will learn how to do this. When I tell people I joined the Peace Corps many folks tell me that I’m doing something extraordinary, something that they could never do. Well, I’m not extraordinary, not in the least. I’m maybe a little crazy but hey, you knew that already. I’m just pretty sure I’ll be able to take what Namibia throws at me just as I’ve been pretty good at taking life in stride in the past. And so, if you were wondering if I’m ready to go to Namibia the answer is yes. As soon as I figure out what in the world to pack.
Am I nervous? Well, yes. I’m terrified, thanks for asking. Even though I’ve read the blogs, read the books, read the 8 trillion pages of paperwork that came with my invitation kit (well, most of those pages…) I still don’t really know what to expect. I don’t quite know what I’ve gotten myself into. I had a conversation recently with a friend who got a tattoo and then later that night had a moment of panic thinking “oh my god, I got a tattoo! Why did I do that!!!” I’d be lying if I told you that I never had moments in the past month since I got my invitation where all I could think to myself was “Holy s***, you joined the f***ing peace corps!! Why the f*** did you go and do that?????” (those of you who know me might be surprised that my inner monologue is such a potty mouth) I have nights where I lie awake paralyzed by anxieties about everything from packing to what my site is going to be like and in those moments it’s hard to wonder whether or not I’m making a huge mistake.
But then again, there are nights where I lie awake thinking about how excited I am to learn a new language, thinking about the traveling I’m going to be doing, thinking about everything I already love about Africa, the things that exasperate me but that I grew to love and appreciate in my time there. I think about how 2 years ago I stepped off the plane from Jo’burg at JFK and all I could think about was how badly I wanted to go back. I think about the people I’m going to help and the good I’m hopefully going to do. And in those moments, I wonder how I’m ever going to get everything done in 2 years, how, when the time comes, I’m ever going to be able to get back on the plane to take me away from Africa, to take me home.
And yes, I worry far too much, but that’s the way I am, it can’t be helped. So yes, I am nervous. But I’m also so excited and so so happy to have the opportunity to do this. And even despite those moments of doubt I feel sure of my decision that I’m doing the right thing, that I can handle this, that I will learn how to do this. When I tell people I joined the Peace Corps many folks tell me that I’m doing something extraordinary, something that they could never do. Well, I’m not extraordinary, not in the least. I’m maybe a little crazy but hey, you knew that already. I’m just pretty sure I’ll be able to take what Namibia throws at me just as I’ve been pretty good at taking life in stride in the past. And so, if you were wondering if I’m ready to go to Namibia the answer is yes. As soon as I figure out what in the world to pack.
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