space
If you ask me, I thrived while in Africa. But, I personally think that the job I did required a person with a Peace Corps spirit, and it helped if the Peace Corps experience was also in Africa. When I was in the Peace Corps, we joked about the possibility of Peace Corps in Europe (or Posh Corps). It didn't exist at the time. And, that experience would be nothing when compared to life in Africa.
The Public Affairs Officer at the US Embassy, himself one of those Peace Corps Europe volunteers, had second thoughts about sending me out on location without a vehicle. Of course, I didn't hear about that until the end of my experience. It never occurred to me that I should have expected a personal vehicle. However, embassy folk would never go without transportation. Peace Corps volunteers, as well as embassy employees, were not allowed to ride on motorcycle taxis. Yes, I know that motorcycle wrecks killed more volunteers than anything else. Yes, I know I was nearly one of those statistics - on multiple occasions. But, I didn't let that stop me. I rode those taxis, let the wind fly through my hair and enjoyed every trip (if it was fifteen minutes or less).
Other people I know, friends and family alike, would not have eaten the food I savored while in Liberia. They seriously wouldn't have shared plates or silverware. But, I found it all a bonding experience. Okay, I drew the line at snails, insects and swamp dirt, but there was so much very good food. Throw in as many hot peppers as you like. There cannot be too many. Only cook with red palm oil. Heap on a mountain of rice. I ate Liberian cuisine every chance I could, even when hamburgers were available (shockingly) in my Peace Corps hometown.
Even my Liberian friends were concerned about me and the heat. I never adjust to tropical heat. I sweat more than anyone else I know. I just had to live with it. And, my continual "look" in Liberia was damp. Damp really isn't an accurate enough description. I dripped at all moments of the day. Some mornings, I drenched my shirt in the sink to start the day. I figured it was going to be that way soon enough. Perhaps pre-drenching would keep me cooler? No, it didn't help any.
Okay, I admit that there was one hardship that I found extremely difficult. I missed my Internet. Now, my Peace Corps experience was pre-Internet, but that's ancient history. I missed my instant communication with the world. There was some access at a few hotels in the interior, but not as deep in the interior where I stayed. So, I just had to grin and endure. But, boy oh boy, was it ever exciting when I finally checked my email after a couple of weeks!
I really mean, boy oh boy!
There were two, count 'em, two embassies that contacted me about muraling. And, they both wanted me in June! Now, I'm good at what I do, but I can only do it on one continent at a time. I'm picky that way. And, I had to commit to the first embassy that asked me. There was no question. I just hoped the other embassy would be flexible. So, as it turns out, I just might get a taste of Peace Corps Europe after all. The next murals will be in Moldova. I'm quite sure that I'll thrive there, too.
Now, where was the other embassy? Aw, you're just going to have to wait until July to find that out. They were flexible.
The Public Affairs Officer at the US Embassy, himself one of those Peace Corps Europe volunteers, had second thoughts about sending me out on location without a vehicle. Of course, I didn't hear about that until the end of my experience. It never occurred to me that I should have expected a personal vehicle. However, embassy folk would never go without transportation. Peace Corps volunteers, as well as embassy employees, were not allowed to ride on motorcycle taxis. Yes, I know that motorcycle wrecks killed more volunteers than anything else. Yes, I know I was nearly one of those statistics - on multiple occasions. But, I didn't let that stop me. I rode those taxis, let the wind fly through my hair and enjoyed every trip (if it was fifteen minutes or less).
Other people I know, friends and family alike, would not have eaten the food I savored while in Liberia. They seriously wouldn't have shared plates or silverware. But, I found it all a bonding experience. Okay, I drew the line at snails, insects and swamp dirt, but there was so much very good food. Throw in as many hot peppers as you like. There cannot be too many. Only cook with red palm oil. Heap on a mountain of rice. I ate Liberian cuisine every chance I could, even when hamburgers were available (shockingly) in my Peace Corps hometown.
Even my Liberian friends were concerned about me and the heat. I never adjust to tropical heat. I sweat more than anyone else I know. I just had to live with it. And, my continual "look" in Liberia was damp. Damp really isn't an accurate enough description. I dripped at all moments of the day. Some mornings, I drenched my shirt in the sink to start the day. I figured it was going to be that way soon enough. Perhaps pre-drenching would keep me cooler? No, it didn't help any.
Okay, I admit that there was one hardship that I found extremely difficult. I missed my Internet. Now, my Peace Corps experience was pre-Internet, but that's ancient history. I missed my instant communication with the world. There was some access at a few hotels in the interior, but not as deep in the interior where I stayed. So, I just had to grin and endure. But, boy oh boy, was it ever exciting when I finally checked my email after a couple of weeks!
I really mean, boy oh boy!
There were two, count 'em, two embassies that contacted me about muraling. And, they both wanted me in June! Now, I'm good at what I do, but I can only do it on one continent at a time. I'm picky that way. And, I had to commit to the first embassy that asked me. There was no question. I just hoped the other embassy would be flexible. So, as it turns out, I just might get a taste of Peace Corps Europe after all. The next murals will be in Moldova. I'm quite sure that I'll thrive there, too.
Now, where was the other embassy? Aw, you're just going to have to wait until July to find that out. They were flexible.