In 25 days, I will be on a plane to DC. 1 day will be spent with my fantastic (even though she's republican) UVM lovely friend, Cara. Day 2 in DC will be spent traveling to Arlington, VA, where I will check into Peace Corps Staging. I will meet the people who will become my friends here at the hotel. PC staff will tell us what to expect, basic info about PC and basically want to hear that we are not making a mistake by embarking on this crazy "job". Day 3ish-we will wake up at 2 am and stumble to the airport. 6 am we will get on a plane to Nicaragua. Day 3 midday- arrive in Nicaragua! I am 100% ready for this adventure, but I cannot help thinking about the fact that I will be gone for 2 whole years. With that thought in mind, hear are some of the things that have been/will be going through my head.
Excitements:
- The connections and relationships I will make-fellow PC volunteers and local Nicaraguans (I may even find a Nica husband...)
- Traveling to Nicaragua! I do not mind admitting that 1 selfish part of me is doing Peace Corps in order to see the world.
- Increasing my self confidence, self awareness and self sufficiency
- Coming home with a fluency in Spanish and 2 years of real life public health experience
- The huge paycheck I will be taking home!! (obvious joke-no one does the PC for the $$)
- A change in my 9-5 life...being able to make my own schedule and possibly not having an office will be incredible.
- I get to use my sweet new watch, rain jacket, flashlight, shortwave radio etc...
- Flying! Even though it will only be a 5-6 hour flight, I cannot wait for it. Taking off, the flight itself, the compartmentalized food, mini tvs, free plane socks, landing- I love it all.
- What if I don't like it? I know your response-whoever is reading this-will say, Of course you will like it...you're so easy going etc... Okay sure, but really, what if I don't like it?
- I am going to miss my family and friends so much. There's really nothing to add to this worry. It's the truth.
- I will be placed in the middle of nowhere, will have to eat hamster and nothing else...
- My host family and I will not get along.
- It-life in PC in general-will be ridiculously hard.
- I get worms.
