First Impressions

24-8-2012


"The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience." -Eleanor Roosevelt

Since arriving in Zambia, there have been many sighs of relief shared by both me and my fellow PVT's (Peace Corps Trainees; not volunteers until training is complete). The first and most relieving was felt upon exiting the plane and arriving in Zambia. The destination total took us easily 24 hours and for most of us, it felt like a week. Traveling to the other side of the world is demanding and I have gained a new found respect for all those international diplomats and businessman that perform it on a routine basis. Its definitely not for me. The second was making eye contact with my luggage at the baggage claim because we had heard terrible stories of others in our position prior who had their bags mistakenly sent to other parts of Africa. A nightmare that none of us wanted to be apart of, especially since our luggage was all we had for the next 2 years. And the third came from witnessing our initial accommodations, which weren't quite what we had expected. A hotel, though not quite up to American standards, but still a hotel. It was fairly beat up and run down, but not the shanty hut that we had scene in national geographic or read about in our PC prep Manuel. Turns out they wanted to break us into Africa slowly.


Our hotel was located just outside of Lusaka and appropriately enough, it was called the Barn Inn. It had a humble spread with decent landscaping and a safe feel compared to some of the scenery on the bus ride from the airport, which was a little more of what you'd expect from a third world country. My room had a total of 4 lights throughout the suite with only 2 bulbs, so I guess it only had 2 lights. There were mosquito nets hanging above the beds( that I broke the first night), and there was no hot water..at all. In America, this accommodation would be the scene you'd expect in a horror movie or a cheap afternoon delight rest stop. But in Zambia, this was prime living only available to the rich and privileged. You can imagine that I was a bit upset about not having a heated shower after a 24 some hour plane flight across the globe. Yet, my will convinced me that this was an initial step in the tolerance that I'd be formulating in the next few months as I acclimate to African living .


Learning more about the staff who manage and looked after our well being gave me comfort and reassurance that Peace Corps really was a organized government entity. The healthcare provided seemed much better then any I had received in America, which first threw some red flags and anxieties, yet also gave me relief knowing that I wouldn't be turned away due to lack of insurance or a crowded waiting room. It was also reassuring to learn of the rigorous orientation and training that we would soon be going through. Most of us had felt rather unqualified for the work we would be doing, we fretted that Peace Corps would just drop us off in some remote village and have us figure the rest out. Not at all. We would undergo an intense 11 week program of strict language training and in depth technical fish farming. They assured us that we would enter training unqualified, yet exit with the knowledge and skills that a successful Peace Corps Volunteer possesses, despite the fact that we had never heard of any of the local languages, and most of us knew jack about how to farm a fish.


It has been good to be able to pick the brains of other PCV's who have been in country for a good amount to time. Both in asking them questions and discovering all the discouraged yet tapped resources and methods of living that are not recommend, yet utilized by PCV's regardless of the frowns and sighs by some of the higher ups. Among them is hitchhiking, which makes the safety and security officer here cringe, but is an obvious and primary means of transportation among all the vet Volunteers. Another reason its good to be around volunteers that have been in country for some time is to see how much different they are compared to the rest of us who are still very fresh off the boat. Some seem to be affected in a positive way, while others seem to have a jadedness about them. I've noticed that not everyone who stays in Peace Corps really should. The sense of pride is like a leash that seems to keep many here even though it may not be for their own good. Yet its also reassuring to see others with a genuine contentedness to humanity and themselves that many of us newbies are ignorant towards. Their style of communication is direct, focused and sincere; not deterred by technologies or the sense of having to be other places other then where they are at the present moment. They seem to value the conversations and the people within them and are not longing for the past or anxious about the future. It is a characteristic that I hope Africa grants me by the end of my service.

Our intake has been recognized by other PCV's and PC officials as a very cohesive, friendly group unlike most other intakes prior. Its unusual that most everyone gets along and that not many have ET'd( Early termination) as of yet. I can also confirm that I feel that most of us in the group are at least easy going and enjoyable to be around. The sense of camaraderie amongst us contributes to the sense of safety and support that reassures me that I have made the right decision in coming here.


Although I'd love to claim that I have not a care in the world up to this point there are many anxieties on my mind and a consistent amount of stress that goes with being a PCT on the brink of volunteer service. The most obvious questions: What language will I get assigned? Will I pass the test and be fluent in 11 weeks ? Where will I be posted for 2 years? Will there be anyone near me? And then there are questions that came about from reading the medical Manuel, and that list is far too long, but some of the honorable mentions: What do I do when I get malaria (because its almost guaranteed)? What the hell is trich (and a dozen other diseases I've never heard of)? What do I do if I get bite by a black Mamba/Puff Adler/Rattlesnake/ Spitting Cobra (Other then panic)? What the hell is a scorpian spider? Though many of these questions had reassuring answers by the medical staff, many could not lull over my stressors no matter how many times I would rephrase the questions. It goes back to not having hot water in the room though, its one of the things I'll have to accept, the very real possibility of something bad happening, and adapt to it with the best of my abilities, with what life has taught me thus far. Peace Corps has its list of risks and though I was aware of them before coming to Africa, they were heightened greatly after learning about them more in depth. Though someone like me feels more at home when living the life becomes more dangerous and less predictable on a day to day basis, which is a big reason for my decision to join in the first place. I suppose its a double edged blade.


I anxiously await all that lies before me, the struggles, the rewards, the highs, the lows, the breakthroughs, the pitfalls but maybe not the snakes. Its an exciting time to be on the brink of adventure such as this. A moment that goes unexamined, underrated and unmentioned, standing at the starting line. Once it is behind us it can never return, the adventure begins the road ahead commences and the comfort of knowing your future ceases to exist, the future is now created step by step, molded by the very decisions and actions that we choose. Only a very minute amount of American have embarked on such a journey that the percentage doesnt exist in rational numbers. It makes me proud to be a statistic in that respect..