I kind of sort of have internet! I bought an internet phone before we all moved and usually the signal strength isn’t good enough for it to work, but some days it miraculously does! And yeah, I’m a Peace Corps volunteer, living in a remote village and I have an internet phone. It’s what all the volunteers are doing. Go figure.
So, what’s happened since last I wrote? Well for starters we got sworn in and the Ambassador was there and we took an oath, like the same oath that members of Congress take when they get sworn in, and it was cool. And now I’m in my village. I’ve been here six days, and let me tell you, it’s been a really up and down 6 days. From my friend’s bag getting stolen in town, to the creepy family cousin trying to sleep with me, to Lesego, my host sister, getting beaten by the grandmother, to a learner from the middle school telling me all about her abusive relatives, and the teacher leaving after just one hour of teaching and the children pleading with me to teach them, and the Afrikaner lady, shocked that a white person would volunteer to do this, “I wouldn’t come live in no village”, with a sneer on her face…and trying, trying in the midst of all of this to be happy to be here and settle in, and find myself in this new environment…it’s crazy, this thing we’re all doing. The 41 of us crazy Americans…why are we doing this? Because, somebody has to see… somebody has to care enough…and it’s all a grand adventure, right? Surrounded by cows and donkeys and goats and sheep…and what do I want out of this experience? I hardly even know anymore. Survival, for starters. But it’s only been six days; it’s supposed to be like this. It’s supposed to be shocking and heart wrenching, and heartwarming, and frustrating and joyful all at once. Yeah, that’s what it’s supposed to be…
But there have been good things too, of course. Like finally being able to cook for myself again! In our training village we ate what our host families ate, and when the food ran out, we had to get creative. Oftentimes my meals consisted of bread and butter…so yeah, I think my body is starting to recover from survivalist mode and regain some normalcy. And I find myself doing things I would never have done back home, like keeping my cash and cell phone in my bra, being really lenient about my definition of clean, be it for myself, food, water, clothes, anything really, peeing in a bucket, and not using hair gel or wearing makeup. And many more things to come, I’m sure.
Opening up a P.O. box is on the agenda for Friday, so hopefully I’ll have an address to give you all soon you can start writing me letters again, because they make me super happy and provide bedroom decorations! Okay, I think my luck with the internet has been too good to be true, so I shall leave you all with those thoughts to ponder. Salang Sentle.
Hi Anna, I hope you are doing well! We are thinking of you often and pray that you are safe everyday.
Take care!
Sarah and Jeff
That sounds crazy intense. Loves you.
Gabi! I can’t believe how much living you are cramming into your life right now! The hardships and challenges and craziness all make you stronger. Just think when you get back… somebody will probably complain about how they hate when their calls get dropped… and you will just have to laugh.
P.S. Will a goat fit in a P.O. Box?
ok so you come home riiiight now!!! No, really, that is so heartbreaking that the teacher left and the students pleaded with you to teach. As for the creepy cousin, eeeuuu!… tell me he was just a little boy and not some hormonal type.
I guess bread and butter is ok if it is very temporary. Glad you can cook now. I’m so looking forward to your post office box since I got your letter (it took a month but I really enjoyed it.) And really, I didn’t think you would really use much hair gel after a month or so.
Dad is in Canada and Jon is driving to his concert in a cornfield today. Alvaro also has rented a car and is supposedly going to make it back to Ames from Jordan Creek Mall on his own after dark. I’ve got the annual meeting tomorrow. Very tired. Alvaro is a moody, good painter. He is a character.
so you keep your wits about you and take good care of yourself. Be careful: its a jungle out there. LOTS of love!
Miss you much.
love,
mom
ps
still no second bathroom…and mice are back. This too shall pass.
Wooooooow! you left out some of those stories on the phone today, love! I really am sorry this is so frustrating for you at the moment, but you are keeping such an amazing attitude about it all – and you are right. Things will eventually brighten, you will get used to some things (though I don’t know how to tell you to get used to children being beaten… that’s something I wish could be stopped), and the crazy stories you get will become just that – stories to tell people about your amazing time in South Africa; adventures, trials, triumphs, and a hell of a lot of fun! And oh so good for the soul of course!
Keep your amazing attitude and I will send good vibes to your village to be a bit more friendly and inviting! 😉
Thanks so much for calling! I can’t wait to talk to you again soon!
Love,
Stacy