For those
of you who don’t know Swahili (myself included but thanks to Google Translator
I can pretend), safari njema means bon voyage.
I have finally reached the part in this whole Peace Corps process where
I have arrived at my staging (pre-orientation) event in Philly, which means…
Goodbye America. Hello Uganda!
I never
imagined that I would start a blog; it’s kind of like writing to the
invisible. Truthfully, I am writing this
for myself and for my parents, to stop them from excessively worrying and calling
Peace Corps (PC) Headquarters every other day about my whereabouts. And then for those wonderful friends, fellow
volunteers, family, and others who have happened to stumble upon it. I had to Google search how to start a blog
and luckily I was guided to here. So... Here goes nothing.
I am
writing this first post in my hotel room with my wonderful roomie as I am
avoiding going through my entire luggage to find my pajama bottoms. So in a conscious effort to continue this
procrastination I figured I should start this first post sooner than later
because a: I know the time will fly by and I should start to reflect on
everything that brought me here and b: I sent my family and friends a goodbye
letter and included my blog address on it.
By this
point, my family and friends are aware that I have accepted an invitation to
serve as a Community Health Volunteer in Uganda. I applied for PC in March 2011, was invited
to serve in Guatemala at the end of October and accepted the invitation soon
thereafter. In December I had a going
away party and sold my car to then have the trip canceled due to safety issues,
but then I was re-invited to the Pearl of Africa right before we rang in the
New Year. I couldn’t be more pumped.
During the application process there was much more than a background check, essays, and an interview. I had to somehow convince three people to write me recommendations. Luckily some wonderful people stepped up to the plate... Brad, Emily, and
Lyndall. Without your support and time
to take to fill out those much-needed recommendations, I would still be back at stage one. You have all
provided words of wisdom and much needed support throughout years. To my 5th floor
Sutter residents. You were all there
when I was started this adventure, dealt with my increased stress levels
when I thought I would never make it, and were there to
celebrate with Chiptole when I found out I got nominated. To my Peace Corps recruiter,
Placement Officer, Medical Nurse, and other professional staff members who
answered my (and my parents) endless list of questions about the application, the medical
packet, and so much more. And finally to
my family. Without your continued
support I would not have made it this far.
My parents have had my back from the day they found out I was interested
in Peace Corps as we all sat in the living room discussing my future. They continued their support by financially helping me from dental visits to purchasing the
necessary necessities. My parents
deserve much greater thanks than this but I hope they know how much their support
means me! My sisters have been there
along the way and have always been patient when conversations at dinner and
run-ins with friends always seemed to be centered on this whole PC deal.
Enough sentimental stuff and onto today. I feel like I have successfully completed a major task in the PC process. I made it from the airport to the hotel, in one piece, and
managed to carry all my luggage without looking like a total fool. During the 90-minute trip to get to my hotel
I realized a couple of things...
- If I can handle the shuttle driver’s driving and
crammed seating then I think I will be prepared for transportation in Uganda
- If the other 44 volunteers are anything like the 5 I have met then we
will have an amazing time!
- Everyone will know who I am (in addition to the other volunteers) because the first thing the shuttle driver said to me was, "Peace Corps ehh?!" I think the 4 bags and helpless look on my face gave it away...
Well I am sure my fellow Trainees and I will encounter some awkward moments together but will grow to become one close
family over the next 2 years. This is
officially happening. Get ready world!
