It begins! Here in Philadelphia, with too few hours to get any real rest before boarding a bus for JFK, before flying for upwards of twenty hours and hitting the ground running. But it begins!
This day began rather early as well, flying on a small plane that took off on time, landed early, and had no complications. Got to have a nice conversation with an art student attending SCAD – who really, REALLY liked Pokémon – but to each their own, you know? A short taxi ride into downtown Philadelphia, and I’d arrived at the hotel, early enough for a lunch at Panera. Pre-Service orientation resulted in a fair number of anxieties addressed, quite a lot of self-reflection, and meeting a large number of new acquaintances. All good things.
The facilitators did a fine job answering questions and addressing concerns. Activities were, surprisingly, not as cliché and juvenile as one might think. They really helped to introduce ourselves to our “volunteer family” and to get closer to the heart of why we wish to serve and what we are anxious and ambitious about during this adventure.
Unknowns continue to abound; my insecurities dance along with them. Having a final round of fast food for dinner, getting to know some new people, and one last hot shower for… quite a while at the very least, and now I sit in my hotel room. Tired. Trepidatious about getting a couple hours of sleep. Eager to continue the start of these proceedings. Learning and practicing. Training and branching out to try new things.
It really does mean a lot, dear readers, to have you here on this journey with me. Part of what we learned from the goals of the Peace Corps is how we should act as a kind of bridge between cultures. To be ambassadors, of a kind, with Americans and a culture that Americans might know very little about. Fostering the continued understanding and respect between different parts of the world is a big part of anthropology, and the techniques I would learn in the healthcare sector will doubtless be useful upon my return. So, I’m glad I can share some of these thoughts, and activities, and day-by-day goings on with all of you!
One final time: there will be a significant stretch of time between this post and the next. Ingrained in training and exploring and learning, there will be little opportunity to update. But naturally, I expect there to be plenty to share once the opportunity arises. So, until then: be well, be happy, and be wise!
Peace, Love, and Uganda 