Saturday, October 08, 2005
Back home in Nsumba, after four days at the Momella Wildlife Lodge near Arusha for our Close of Service Conference. There were 58 of us, survivors from the group of 96 that began the Pre-Service Training in Arusha a little over two years ago. It feels like a long time since we were together, and it feels like just last week. We were so wet behind the ears then. It truly has been an incredible adventure to become familiar with this culture and these surroundings.
I was all prepared to be grumpy about the Wildlife Lodge. It was a 20hr bus ride to reach Arusha, and I wasn’t thrilled about getting on another bus right away for the ride to the Lodge. Then the hour and a half ride turned out to be three and a half hours, over a very poor dirt road. I was not a happy camper when we arrived. But the scenery, against the backdrop of Mt. Meru, was spectacular, there were giraffes nearby in the mornings, a pool where they claim a hippo makes his home only a ten minute walk away – although he apparently was a commuter, away during the day. . We also had bacon (!), and cold cereal with milk at the breakfast buffet, and good food throughout. We stayed in little white huts with conical thatched roofs that matched the volcanic cone of Mt. Meru. They had hot showers!
We wrote and shared little vignettes of our experiences, heard about post-Peace Corps medical insurance, job search strategies, possible post-graduate study, potential problems on re-integrating into our previous lives or some semblance of them. Shared addresses and plans. Recorded our departure dates and made appointments for medical exams, wrote out our Description of Service. Swam in the pool, played ping pong, lounged around...
Three of us are destined for Central or South America. Sue Bora, the only other over-60 volunteer since Bob Davis went home, has a house in Costa Rica. Carly will get married in June and join her husband in Quito, Equador. I, of course, am headed to Guatemala at least at first. Many have exciting travel plans. A group plans to work their way south to Johannesburg, then fly to India before going on to Burma and South Vietnam. Chang will go north to Ethiopia before heading to India, then go overland to China. Vicky will explore more of Africa, then go to spend a year with her Mother who returned to India after Vicky’s father died, to understand that culture and why her Mother is so happy to be back in India now. Many are going back for advanced degrees in the States, some want more time to think about it all before doing anything. Three have extended their service for another year.
Now it is time to begin thinking about leaving. What do I want to take with me? What can I send to Guatemala, and what should I send to Philadelphia? How light can I travel? Who can I give the stuff to that I will leave here? Dubai is supposed to be a great spot to buy electronics, so do I want to buy anything when I pass through there? And – what project reports and final statements must I write before I leave? Can I find a good home for Hodie after I leave?
I was all prepared to be grumpy about the Wildlife Lodge. It was a 20hr bus ride to reach Arusha, and I wasn’t thrilled about getting on another bus right away for the ride to the Lodge. Then the hour and a half ride turned out to be three and a half hours, over a very poor dirt road. I was not a happy camper when we arrived. But the scenery, against the backdrop of Mt. Meru, was spectacular, there were giraffes nearby in the mornings, a pool where they claim a hippo makes his home only a ten minute walk away – although he apparently was a commuter, away during the day. . We also had bacon (!), and cold cereal with milk at the breakfast buffet, and good food throughout. We stayed in little white huts with conical thatched roofs that matched the volcanic cone of Mt. Meru. They had hot showers!
We wrote and shared little vignettes of our experiences, heard about post-Peace Corps medical insurance, job search strategies, possible post-graduate study, potential problems on re-integrating into our previous lives or some semblance of them. Shared addresses and plans. Recorded our departure dates and made appointments for medical exams, wrote out our Description of Service. Swam in the pool, played ping pong, lounged around...
Three of us are destined for Central or South America. Sue Bora, the only other over-60 volunteer since Bob Davis went home, has a house in Costa Rica. Carly will get married in June and join her husband in Quito, Equador. I, of course, am headed to Guatemala at least at first. Many have exciting travel plans. A group plans to work their way south to Johannesburg, then fly to India before going on to Burma and South Vietnam. Chang will go north to Ethiopia before heading to India, then go overland to China. Vicky will explore more of Africa, then go to spend a year with her Mother who returned to India after Vicky’s father died, to understand that culture and why her Mother is so happy to be back in India now. Many are going back for advanced degrees in the States, some want more time to think about it all before doing anything. Three have extended their service for another year.
Now it is time to begin thinking about leaving. What do I want to take with me? What can I send to Guatemala, and what should I send to Philadelphia? How light can I travel? Who can I give the stuff to that I will leave here? Dubai is supposed to be a great spot to buy electronics, so do I want to buy anything when I pass through there? And – what project reports and final statements must I write before I leave? Can I find a good home for Hodie after I leave?
