Friday, August 26, 2011

The Beginning of Service Jitters...de novo (again)

On August 13th, 2011, I swore-in and officially became a PCV. I looked and felt beautiful (I think I'm allowed to toot my own horn once in a while considering I've been taking bucket baths for the past three months!) and everything was wonderful. I along with my fellow Moz 16ers stayed in a fabulous hotel for the weekend and had a great time!

That Sunday (the 15th), my nerves set in again, because that night I was to meet my counterparts. These would become my co-workers and confidants for the next two years...it was almost like meeting my host family for the first time again. Needless to say I had nothing to worry about, as both my counterparts were very friendly. Over the next two days we took part in Supervisor's Conference where they learned about the Peace Corps, it's policies and what they should from them, and also we discussed a little bit about what my counterparts wanted me to help them with.

The following Wednesday (the 16th) I, along with both of my counterparts (I was placed with two different orgs) and two other Moz 16ers were shuttled off to our sites.

At about 4 in the afternoon, I arrived in Inharrime and met my new roommate, two sitemates and two other volunteers from Inhambane Province. I was nervous and excited and anxious and tired and happy all at the same time! That night we talked and got to know each other a little bit of some cervejas and some really delicious Pad Thai (pause for Elyse's laughter...).

So here it is the 26th, about a week and a half later. I've met with both my orgs a few times and actually already gave a mini training on Cholera (I'll post about that experience soon). My roommate has been great! She's introduced me to all the important people in town, including all her favorite vendors in the market and I think that we get along really well. I have met most of the Activistas (basicly community health volunteers) and Peer Educators with whom I will be working most closely with over these next two years.

I start my day at around 9 and am pretty much done by 1:30...I'll definitely enjoy all the free time, but it also makes over-thinking things, worrying and feeling homesick very easy to do. Even though, these feelings are not new (as I've gone through this before just 10 weeks ago while living with my host family) and at least I speak better Portuguese now so at least that's one less thing to worry about, but I guess it's now sinking in that this is in fact my home for the next two years (I'll post pics soon). I know that in no time I'll be feeling right at home and comfortable with my surroundings--at least I hope so--

I'll keep you all posted!

Ate Logo!!