So I'm sure some of you have been wondering what has been going on here these first few days. It's been a lot and little at the same time. After that REALLY long flight we only had to wait in Johannessburg a few hours before our final flight. Flying into Jo-burg was really weird as it looked just like flying into a normal city but flying into Windhoek was when it started to sink in, I didn't even think there was pavement for the plane to land on!
We got off the plane and met our country director (CD) and a couple other people. Gilbert (our CD) seems really cool and I've heard many good things about him from the other Peace Corps personnel. They are all really cool too. And last but certainly not least is all the other volunteers! Namibia group 32 is so awesome! We're 44 people stong, 9 or 10 of us are doing small business development and the rest are all in education. I think there are 4-5 IT people, 6 math, 7 or so science and 17 English volunteers! As far as I can tell we are all really excited to be here. Most of us are fresh out of college but there's a a decent mix of us too. A few more mature volunteers, some that had career plans fall through a few years in, and we also have a married couple.
As far as training goes things haven't gotten underway too much. We did a couple interviews and they have debrifed us on a few topics like safety and security, medical, and what it will be like with our host family. We did get introduced to all the languages we might learn, there are 8 of them!! I was so happy because the teacher for the "click" language said I had the potential to be able to learn it. She laughed and said "I can tell who will be able to do it but I can't choose my learners" so I actually did feel special. Sadly I won't be speaking that one as my site will be using Afrikaans. A little sad that I won't be learning some cool exotic language but Afrikaans is probably one of the most useful languages to learn as it is spoken in most of Namibia as well as South Africa.
All of the instructors seem very personable and I've already started bonding with them closely. I love it when they are talking to you and say "Thank you my brother." It happens back in the States but only with a small specific population so it was really cool. Oh! So we went to this festival that was meant to honor the Herero people who were very lucky to escape complete genocide during Africa's colonial years. They now number around 200,00 which is very impressive since their numbers were all the way down to 10,000.
This is one of the biggest contrasts I've seen and that we've talked about with other PC trainees (we're not volunteers yet :( ) A lot of the people that we have met actually lived and were a part of their country's gaining of independance, something that does not exist in the States. For example their second president was at the Peace Corps swearing ceremony for the last group, the second president! If that doesn't do it, think of this: every volunteer in our group is older than the country...our youngest is 21.
It shocks me to think of what our founding fathers did and that I have the chance to help do the same for another country while I'm alive. In some ways I think wow, it's actually really easy to be helpful in this country. Maybe I was just too lazy in the U.S. But then less than 3,000 people make the committment to serve every year out of the entire eligible population (out of 100,000 applicants) so it must be a pretty big and I maybe just have no idea what I'm getting into.
Also, a lot of times we think how we can change things on a large scale. People get into politics trying to change the big picture but we've seen how that can turn sour very easily. Honestly, it just starts with your community. Here in Peace Corps I talk to directors, current and past volunteers and hear amazing stories of how they started a small project in their village and it grew bigger and bigger and when they returned the group would have it's own small market stand or store in the nearest town. This may not seem like a big thing in the States where you can just go get a small business loan, start a business, and if it fails just bail. Here, you're responsible for your financial committments and a lot of these projects get started from nothing, just the host nationals going out, making prodcuts, and then selling them.
So get out there and get involved! We talked about what we really liked about the U.S. and a common theme was how many programs it has to help others. So they are out there! Go get some! Cowboy up! I just said that!
Well, I don't have much to say right now. We hiked a mountain which was cool haha. Anyway, I am SURE I will have some good stories soon!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
And it begins....
I bet those of you checking in on this are curious about how the start of this is going...well, I am NOT! It is freaking AWESOME!!! I had a scare before leaving, that re-illuminated a lot of things for me and put some readjustments on my perspective before departure, but that's something for another time.
Staging was a blast! And so short! I checked in to the hotel Sunday evening, registration only took 5-10 minutes. A lot of people were there at 6pm which is when registration was supposed to start. I suggested we should al head out to grab dinner and so we made plans for lobby at 7pm to head out. I was pumped because a fair amount of people came out was there waiting! First we went out for Philly cheesesteaks at this place called Campo's. They were pretty good, Half Fast Subs is still way better! Side note: if anyone wants my punch card it just needs one more stamp before a free sub...first letter from Boulder wins it! Afterward we were looking for a bar to grab a drink together and chat, combined with another group and took over a good sized section of some place called Mac's Tavern. The bartender and servers went bug-eyed when they saw us, made me laugh. We all talked for a couple hours before calling it a night. I just have to say I am so excited to be calling these 44 (and hopefully it stays at 44!) people my PC family for next couple years, well, no for the rest of my life! And if you want to hear something crazy about family and brotherhood...yep, there is a fellow member of Pi Kappa Phi (my fraternity for those that don't know) in our group!! He is from the Berkely chapter (Oh Gamma chapter...). Talk about crazy coincidences!
Staging went very well and was a super busy day! We got our yellow fever shot at the clinic then actualy had a huge break (so not busy I guess...). I went with my roommate to Wal-Mart to grab a couple things. Turns out it's not "just down the pier". Took us 45 min to walk there, and even with a small run we didn't make it back in time for the big job tour that I was helping promote for this girl Kim! We were so bummed out! And shame on the taxi drivers that teased us and didn't pick us up.
Anyway, we talked about some logistical stuff, our anxieties and aspirations, and threats we may face but the main goal for staging was going over our commitment to serve. At times throughout our meetings we took time out to reflect on why we signed up for the Peace Corps, what we hope to get out of it, etc. Personally for me there is a myriad reasons for why I signed up. (I'm not sure on the correct grammar use of "myriad" right now but I do know that it means 10,000 and I think it was in our letter from Obama...that I threw away.). A big one I realized when I was watching the Blindside with Miles. In the movie the husband says to the adoptive mother "You just have this sick thing where you derive pleasure from helping people" (or along those lines). And I connected with it. I am still not sure I want to make a career out of it but I do genuinely enjoy helping others.
Core Expectation #10 deals with representing the "people, culture, values and traditions" of the U.S. to other nations. What is everyone's thoughts on this? How should I represent the U.S. in this regard? What if I was just representing you, what are your values and traditions? Please tell me, I'd love ideas and stories to tell everyone in Namibia.
I began thinking about this myself and found myself bereft of anything too concrete. Kind of sad really, I mean I have a some thoughts here and there but I also was thinking of how divided this country is right now. We still have our core principles that our country was founded on (or do we...) but not being someone too involved in politics I'm a little out of the "current trends" that we've been moving towards.
One thing that I do know is the U.S. is a very career oriented culture. I feel many other aspects of culture have been pushed aside because of this: family, the arts, just basic happiness for life, etc. We talked about how in the U.S. life and work are separate (for the most part) but during Peace Corps there can be very little differentiation between life and work. The second goal of the Peace Corps is to help other cultures understand America, so anything done to further this is techincally work. For example a morning ritual of breakfast and tea with my teacher counter-part at my site is still considered part my my work towards furthering Peace Corps goals. I want to make sure not to give them the impression that in the U.S. your career is your life but I worry that for many of us it has. I hear from many of my friends that graduated around the same time as me that they absolutely hate thier job, don't find it fulfilling or feel like their life doesn't have much substance to it anymore. Not everyone follows the same path in life but I would hate my life if it revolved around a desk. Just something to think about. I'm excited to see the traditions and values dominant in Namibian culture and will definitely write all about them later!
Staging was a blast! And so short! I checked in to the hotel Sunday evening, registration only took 5-10 minutes. A lot of people were there at 6pm which is when registration was supposed to start. I suggested we should al head out to grab dinner and so we made plans for lobby at 7pm to head out. I was pumped because a fair amount of people came out was there waiting! First we went out for Philly cheesesteaks at this place called Campo's. They were pretty good, Half Fast Subs is still way better! Side note: if anyone wants my punch card it just needs one more stamp before a free sub...first letter from Boulder wins it! Afterward we were looking for a bar to grab a drink together and chat, combined with another group and took over a good sized section of some place called Mac's Tavern. The bartender and servers went bug-eyed when they saw us, made me laugh. We all talked for a couple hours before calling it a night. I just have to say I am so excited to be calling these 44 (and hopefully it stays at 44!) people my PC family for next couple years, well, no for the rest of my life! And if you want to hear something crazy about family and brotherhood...yep, there is a fellow member of Pi Kappa Phi (my fraternity for those that don't know) in our group!! He is from the Berkely chapter (Oh Gamma chapter...). Talk about crazy coincidences!
Staging went very well and was a super busy day! We got our yellow fever shot at the clinic then actualy had a huge break (so not busy I guess...). I went with my roommate to Wal-Mart to grab a couple things. Turns out it's not "just down the pier". Took us 45 min to walk there, and even with a small run we didn't make it back in time for the big job tour that I was helping promote for this girl Kim! We were so bummed out! And shame on the taxi drivers that teased us and didn't pick us up.
Anyway, we talked about some logistical stuff, our anxieties and aspirations, and threats we may face but the main goal for staging was going over our commitment to serve. At times throughout our meetings we took time out to reflect on why we signed up for the Peace Corps, what we hope to get out of it, etc. Personally for me there is a myriad reasons for why I signed up. (I'm not sure on the correct grammar use of "myriad" right now but I do know that it means 10,000 and I think it was in our letter from Obama...that I threw away.). A big one I realized when I was watching the Blindside with Miles. In the movie the husband says to the adoptive mother "You just have this sick thing where you derive pleasure from helping people" (or along those lines). And I connected with it. I am still not sure I want to make a career out of it but I do genuinely enjoy helping others.
Core Expectation #10 deals with representing the "people, culture, values and traditions" of the U.S. to other nations. What is everyone's thoughts on this? How should I represent the U.S. in this regard? What if I was just representing you, what are your values and traditions? Please tell me, I'd love ideas and stories to tell everyone in Namibia.
I began thinking about this myself and found myself bereft of anything too concrete. Kind of sad really, I mean I have a some thoughts here and there but I also was thinking of how divided this country is right now. We still have our core principles that our country was founded on (or do we...) but not being someone too involved in politics I'm a little out of the "current trends" that we've been moving towards.
One thing that I do know is the U.S. is a very career oriented culture. I feel many other aspects of culture have been pushed aside because of this: family, the arts, just basic happiness for life, etc. We talked about how in the U.S. life and work are separate (for the most part) but during Peace Corps there can be very little differentiation between life and work. The second goal of the Peace Corps is to help other cultures understand America, so anything done to further this is techincally work. For example a morning ritual of breakfast and tea with my teacher counter-part at my site is still considered part my my work towards furthering Peace Corps goals. I want to make sure not to give them the impression that in the U.S. your career is your life but I worry that for many of us it has. I hear from many of my friends that graduated around the same time as me that they absolutely hate thier job, don't find it fulfilling or feel like their life doesn't have much substance to it anymore. Not everyone follows the same path in life but I would hate my life if it revolved around a desk. Just something to think about. I'm excited to see the traditions and values dominant in Namibian culture and will definitely write all about them later!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
...begins with a single step.
Well, I have officially left Colorado. New York is such a big city! I totally felt like a little country boy in a concrete jungle when I first arrived but after getting a little lost on the way back to Tara's place after getting lunch with a friend(FFXI shout out to Sexy Lexie!) I feel a lot more comfortable. I just needed to switch to travel mode I guess, definitely good practice for Namibia!
Thank you everyone that was able to make it out those hectic few days I was back! It was really hard to say actual goodbyes to everyone. The feeling first started creeping in a couple days before I left for Hawai'i when I realized I wasn't going to be talking to my mom as much and then just started compounding when I was visiting and being visited by people. When I was going through the last few boxes at my aunt's, which were mostly full of pictures, I started getting pretty sentimental and even a little teary-eyed (there it goes again...). I began reflecting on the time I've had with all of my family and friends over the years and really wish I took more advantage of a lot of the opportunites I've had.
I guess I'm starting to hit that point in my life were I am starting to feel some guilt for lots of the decisions I've made in my life. I look back on college and think, "I definitely would have made a different decision knowing what I do now." Was that decision really worthwhile? Wouldn't it have been a lot more fun to go hiking and climbing every weekend instead with the same friends? I could've spent so much more time snowboarding, doing super cool activities,instead of being...oh, let's see, hungover perhaps. Don't get me wrong we had a lot of great times and we did a lot of other stuff for which I am thankful but a lot of it I feel could've been directed in a more fulfilling manner. That last part is where the guilt comes from but then I think to myself that's jst who I was at the time. I'm different now, those decisions have been made and I can't change them. The best I can do is learn from them and be better prepared for facing what lies ahead.
For example, I want to stay in touch with all of you and reconnect with those I've lost contact with. If ever I am lazy, call me out on it. If I'm not writing letters call me out on it and demand I write you one. When I start to make decisions I think to myself how I would look back the next day on my choice and what are potential outcomes. Would I say, "I wish I went out with them on that trip, laying around and saving $XYZ honestly didn't benefit me much" or would it be better if I say, "Wow, I'm so sore but that was so much fun! I'm glad I went!" At the very least, if you go you won't be wondering what if afterward. Wondering that kills me and is a big part of my motivation for a lot of the choices I make now. It's better to go out and sit around doing nothing with friends, than sitting at home doing nothing by yourself, even if it costs a few dollars. What's that money going to amount to anyway? An extra morning latte? I say screw the latte.
So I guess my mantras for this are "Take that extra step, be proactive and make the first move." If you're wondering how someone is doing, call them! Stop wondering and actually find out! Curious what sky-diving is really like? Save up some cash and go for it! Do what you want to do, life is finite, get it done while you can. At the very least you can look back and say "Hey, at least I got up and did it. I followed my heart and did what I wanted to do." Grow old rich with experiences and live weathly with character. Plan for a long life but remember once a moment passes, it's gone, you don't get it back. Life doesn't have save points (you can't get back all the gil you blew buying fire crystals drunk at 3 am). Learn to relish the good times, forget the bad and always go through it all with a smile. Negative emotions (for the most part) don't get you anywhere and are a huge waste of energy.
We all know this, but I feel most people are re-learning this over and over throughout their lives, myself included. Maybe I'm just dense and forgetful but I'm going to stick with Confucious in that "through knowing ourselves, we are able to know others." So I'll assume you all are forgetting these lessons too. Just try and remember this: Life is always in session, don't be caught snoozing in the back.
Thank you everyone that was able to make it out those hectic few days I was back! It was really hard to say actual goodbyes to everyone. The feeling first started creeping in a couple days before I left for Hawai'i when I realized I wasn't going to be talking to my mom as much and then just started compounding when I was visiting and being visited by people. When I was going through the last few boxes at my aunt's, which were mostly full of pictures, I started getting pretty sentimental and even a little teary-eyed (there it goes again...). I began reflecting on the time I've had with all of my family and friends over the years and really wish I took more advantage of a lot of the opportunites I've had.
I guess I'm starting to hit that point in my life were I am starting to feel some guilt for lots of the decisions I've made in my life. I look back on college and think, "I definitely would have made a different decision knowing what I do now." Was that decision really worthwhile? Wouldn't it have been a lot more fun to go hiking and climbing every weekend instead with the same friends? I could've spent so much more time snowboarding, doing super cool activities,instead of being...oh, let's see, hungover perhaps. Don't get me wrong we had a lot of great times and we did a lot of other stuff for which I am thankful but a lot of it I feel could've been directed in a more fulfilling manner. That last part is where the guilt comes from but then I think to myself that's jst who I was at the time. I'm different now, those decisions have been made and I can't change them. The best I can do is learn from them and be better prepared for facing what lies ahead.
For example, I want to stay in touch with all of you and reconnect with those I've lost contact with. If ever I am lazy, call me out on it. If I'm not writing letters call me out on it and demand I write you one. When I start to make decisions I think to myself how I would look back the next day on my choice and what are potential outcomes. Would I say, "I wish I went out with them on that trip, laying around and saving $XYZ honestly didn't benefit me much" or would it be better if I say, "Wow, I'm so sore but that was so much fun! I'm glad I went!" At the very least, if you go you won't be wondering what if afterward. Wondering that kills me and is a big part of my motivation for a lot of the choices I make now. It's better to go out and sit around doing nothing with friends, than sitting at home doing nothing by yourself, even if it costs a few dollars. What's that money going to amount to anyway? An extra morning latte? I say screw the latte.
So I guess my mantras for this are "Take that extra step, be proactive and make the first move." If you're wondering how someone is doing, call them! Stop wondering and actually find out! Curious what sky-diving is really like? Save up some cash and go for it! Do what you want to do, life is finite, get it done while you can. At the very least you can look back and say "Hey, at least I got up and did it. I followed my heart and did what I wanted to do." Grow old rich with experiences and live weathly with character. Plan for a long life but remember once a moment passes, it's gone, you don't get it back. Life doesn't have save points (you can't get back all the gil you blew buying fire crystals drunk at 3 am). Learn to relish the good times, forget the bad and always go through it all with a smile. Negative emotions (for the most part) don't get you anywhere and are a huge waste of energy.
We all know this, but I feel most people are re-learning this over and over throughout their lives, myself included. Maybe I'm just dense and forgetful but I'm going to stick with Confucious in that "through knowing ourselves, we are able to know others." So I'll assume you all are forgetting these lessons too. Just try and remember this: Life is always in session, don't be caught snoozing in the back.
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