Well...I move out of Belmopan City to a remote village call San Antonio - an hour or two bus ride south of the Belmopan - it looks like it's in the mountains and very remote. They gave me a mosquito net which means my host family will be somewhat poor and lacking in a lot of amenities.
The language is Spanish and I'll be tested tomorrow for the language before I leave - yikes! I have no clue about speaking Spanish. The village does have an internet cafe so I'll try to get email out when I can. I'll be with this host family for five weeks with a trip to the Peace Corps office in Belmopan City every Friday.
After that, I spend a month with another host family at the permanent site - then if I make it I get sworn in as an official volunteer.
I'll try to post on my Blog before I leave but if I don't, pass the news to others.
The training sessions have been intense and time-consuming - I have had no down time except to eat dinner and sleep. Getting on the internet at the PC office has also been difficult - I got there this morning at six just to get the blog and email going.
So far, the country is beautiful, lush and green - we've had rain every day but it's been mild - the humidity is heavy but bearable. I'm looking forward to the next phase of the training to see how I do. They say that women gain 15 pounds the first year because all the food is packed with carbs but I must admit that I've enjoyed all of it. I hope to tone it down a bit, especially the amount they give us.
I probably will not have an opportunity to email or blog for a while so in the meantime, wish me luck!!
Hello Dear Onesan,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you made it safely and have started your journey. Food sounds good but I'm sure the sweat is a challenge. Just think about it -- you don't have to shave! What a relief! And, thank goodness you have a real toilet. Although I'm puzzeled that you do with the water situation.
Reading about your time makes me feel I'm right next to you. I look forward to your pics and to seeing the countryside.
Stay safe and healthy and while I can't hear your voice, you are always with me.
Love, Sis
I'm now realizing I can keep in touch with you via comments - I'm now feeling a little isolated from the familiar especially the family and friends. My host family is wonderful, I watch them as a wonderful unit living the life they know but I am not part of it. It's like I am there but don't belong. I'm beginning to miss my old life.
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