Went to check out houses for the next volunteer. It's crazy because I find myself jealous of the new person...like I wish I could do another service. Kind of that feeling you get when you see freshman starting college. I am setting this next person up with great living arrangements, a good community, and tons of work. I almost understand how people do a third year...Still, I know I made the right choice to not extend. There are always going to be new great projects that could benefit the people.
I constantly find myself in a state of reflection these days. Like remembering the taste of food, remembering how fresh the air can be, remembering the dirt roads, the way they make tortillas, the bus rides, and the flexibility I have.
This morning I woke up at 8:30, spent an hour reading the news and getting dressed. School was cancelled until Monday due to the constant downpour of rain. Needless to say, at least where I live, there was absolutely no reason to cancel classes for kids who as it is hardly receive class. But, the Ministry of Education here is well...you know how I feel.
Around 9:30 I found the mayor's driver and asked him to drive me out to the site where the new volunteer will live. We go there around 10:30. I found a house almost right away, ate some lunch, then head back to my house and got here around 1:00. And, that's it. That's my work day. I can now listen to music, wash clothes, read, or whatever else I want. What a blessing. Best part of the job.
I have been trying to compose a list of things I want to remember. I have a few but surely not all...
How hard that first bucket is every night I bathe.
How sometimes I stand there naked for 5-10 trying to talk myself into dumping that cold water all over me.Having to go to the bathroom when it's pouring.
Dashing into the rain and then into the bathroom without getting soaked
The crazy formality of letters or request here. It always reminds me of writing a request to the king...
Every morning filling all my bottles from the hose so I have water to drink and cook with all day
Riding to games in the back of a cattle truck down remote country roads
Smelling nearly every day even the days where I do no manual labor
Drying clothes behind the fridge...the closest thing I have to a dryer and the fastest way to get a few garments dry fast(er)I am definitely a tougher person than I used to be.
I remember begging my boss not to put me in some remote village without basic needs. Now, I would like the opportunity to stick it out somewhere and work with basic needs- water, sanitation, health. That is probably why I am requesting a volunteer to replace me who will do just that.
0 comments:
Post a Comment