Brief update

Hey folks,
It's been a long times since my last post -my apologies.  Just now getting steady access to the Internet and training keeps us insanely busy.  And I've been sending out e-mails instead of blogging.  But I hope to get into a routine where I journal periodically on this blog when things settle.

I learned last Saturday that I'll be shadowing a Peace Corps volunteer who is in Kilimanjaro region all next week.  Moshi is the closest city large city nearby but the village in is Same (saw-may).  They call it shadowing, which implies I'll be shadowing the volunteer, when in fact it's the volunteer who shadows me while I teach their classes. The experience is intended to give us trainees an idea about what it's like to volunteer in the villages.

And next Saturday we learn where it is we'll be placed and what we'll be teaching.  Everyone is extremely excited to know and looking forward to settling into one spot for a spell, gaining some independence from the rigors of training and slowing life down just a bit.  It seems as if every last minute is scheduled for us during training and it becomes a grind quickly.  Everyone is enduring; so far all 39 trainees are still here, though one was hit by a motorcycle and spent time in Dar recovering.  She's fine now, but required a bunch of stitches and is still on crutches.  Transportation in Tanzania is the biggest threat to our (everyone's) safety.  One gets the vague sense of order on the highway, but almost anything goes, including riding your motorcycle on the "sidewalks."  Crazy happenings . . .

Today is my last day of teaching at Educare school.  It's been our workplace and Kiswahili study area for three weeks now.  The experience we've gained teaching has been valuable, everyone agrees.  But we're all looking forward to getting in a full year of teaching with the same class and not being regarded as substitute teachers.  Tanzanian students are a polite version of American students regards how they treat substitute teachers.  They are respectful, but they will push you if you let them.  And they speak their secret language called Kiswahili to talk about you.  Little do they know I'm beginning to understand what they're saying - ha ha!

Off for a bucket bath now - have a great day!

Will

Schedule

Hi Folks,

It's been a little crazy lately and I've just realized that some folks still have some older information about when I'm actually leaving.  So here's the skinny on the schedule:

Tuesday, September 21 - driving to Hartford, CT

Wednesday, September 22 - A.M. Flying into Philly

P.M. Peace Corps orientation

Thursday, September 23 - Orientation all day

early evening - flying to Tanzania.

Friday, September 24 - Arrive in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to begin training.

Thanks again for all your support and I'll continue to update through e-mail and/or Blog: http://willstanzaniapeacecorpsexperience.blogspot.com/

Cheers,

Will

Details, details

O.k. departure time is just around the corner now and I still feel as if way too many items on my to-do list remain unchecked!  All around me are tipping piles of partially finished documents; 401k beneficiary forms, tax forms, license renewals, decrees and health directives, travelers checks, itineraries, journals and poems, a will to file in a yet unnamed location; piles of clothing, books and cooking equipment, to sell, donate, throw out, give away, or to store - and more piles to sort through.  I physically and literally feel buried.

By this time in the process, I have touched and contemplated every aspect of my life, ad nausea.  Equipment and materials from hobbies and professions that I once thought defined who I am are dusted, spread out on the floor and sifted through to weigh their worth beyond sentiment.  What exactly is the value of the fly tying kit I haven't used in eight years?  When I see the equipment, such fond memories flood in from a time in my life when playing a fish played a more prominent role.  Why store it for another two and a half years just so I can recall the tautness of the bobbin in my hand, hear the hollow metallic string-note as I wind the thread round-n-round the shank of the hook to secure the hackle in place, smell the drop of glue applied to the head, and marvel at the brilliant red/green beauty of a Royal Coachman?  Maybe the sentiment is enough, all there really was in the first place.

And just as prodded and poked are my relationships; uncomfortable feelings sift in and out of my head through the day whispering I've not spent enough time with all those I care for and who care for me.  Or the time I did spend with someone didn't meet expectations, old subtle and minor grievances remained buried or simply re-arranged or rephrased without resolve.  All the days are measured and weighed, planned and re-planned, appointments are scheduled - lunches, dinners, quick trips for ice-cream, flights are booked, cancelled and re-booked for more efficient time management, overnights and day-trips, all laid out in scribbled pencil in the planner.  And there is still not enough time, no matter how much of the day is divided, nor the increments of the division.

Questions - excellent questions - are posed and pondered: Why help others when we need help ourselves?  What does it even mean to say you want to help someone?  Do they even want help?  What qualifies you to do what you are doing?  Isn't it a waste of taxpayer money?  Do you really think anything will change?  How can you leave the ones you love for so long?  Isn't that irresponsible?  And a generous and steady flow of support and enthusiasm is woven in to form the full tapestry of the experience.

So there it is - the hard and the soft of preparing for a life changing event, all normal happenings according to the Peace Corps folks; all abnormal for those in the midst of the change.  It is a wonderful, stimulating, thought-provoking, incredibly interesting and enjoyable experience and I'm so grateful to have the opportunity!  More later . . . have an appointment :)

Link to PC article

I found this article on FB this morning and wanted to share it since I have no idea what to expect for available technology when I get to my post.  My first perception of service was that I'd be in a very rural area, isolated without means of communication.  As I learned more about actual field conditions through the application process it became clear that technology has taken hold in developing countries.  About 98% of volunteers in Tanzania have cell phones now, a surprising fact to learn.  My approach will be to balance the use of my available technology with living without these conveniences if they are not available to most Tanzanians.  I do love writing and receiving letters, but I can't help but be excited at the prospect of being able to communicate regularly with folks back home.

http://postalmuseumblog.si.edu/2010/09/reflecting-on-a-peace-corps-experience-through-letters.html

Welcome!

Hey friends and family!

This is a test/welcome post for my blog to keep you all informed of my Peace Corps service in Tanzania and as a vehicle for you to keep in touch with me.  I will try to updated it weekly if possible.  Please play around with it, post comments, etc. so that we can work out any kinks before I leave on September 23.

Many thanks for all your interest and support,

Will