I’ve been in site for almost two weeks now. So far so good. My Spanish is coming along slowly, but it is nevertheless improving. I´m just now starting to experience homesickness, ya know the classic ‘grass is greener on the otherside’. Lately i´ve been doubting myself, why im here, am I wasting two of my prime years when there are other things I´d like to be doing as well?

Anywho. Its all just part of the adjustment proccess. Anyone who knows me, knows how extremely indecisive I am.

Of all the things I miss, I think the most about rock climbing, athough I didn’t climb very much in the last year, (compared to in the past)
I never thought I’d miss the feel of burning muscles. I think the reason why I miss it so much is because its one of the few ways I’ve found that I can truly relax. On reflection over my college career, climbing really relieved my stress in a healthy and functional manner. Many of my fondest memories surround climbing, and or the friends I made through the sport. There is something soothing about hanging from a cliff overlooking the hills, tree, lakes, rivers, where your only worry is where to put your hand, foot, how to position you body for the next move. For others this would be their absolute worst night mare, but for some reason it just jived with me.

Next on the list of things I miss are Cheddar cheese, salt and vinegar chips, maine coast, the climate, blueberries, Spencer’s Ice-cream up in Millford, my family and friends (of course), the smell of fresh cut grass, swimming in clean water, showers, chocolate, snow, and raspberries. Its strange, I never know what random smell, sight, sound provokes thoughts from home, or travels elsewhere. I didn’t realize how proud of being a Mainer I am until one of the other volunteers from a large city out west, was trying to claim that people from the country are less prepared for life as a volunteer because we have less access to cultural diversity. This of course initiated a huge argument ending with the other volunteer attempting to shame me of my mainer-ness. I´d rather be from maine anyday, than from a pretentious fake star struck community. (personally I think we´re better prepared since we´ve had to learn to go-without electricicrty, water, or constant entertainment at somepoint in our lives. I´d like to think we as mainers have pretty thick skin)

Well the pig flu has many people here concerned. While in the united states we have access to antiviral medications and facemasks are cheep, that is not the case here. Much of the population is already either sick or malnourished, leaving the population vulnerable. Antivirals are non-exhistant here, and the face masks can be out of some peoples economic means. As peacecorps volunteers, we are provided with both the antiviral meds, and face masks. Its, in a way, hard not to feel bad that we have access to these, while the people we are living with, and working with don’t.

Back a while in training, I ran into a spring break group, who was here working on a biofuel stove project. During conversations one young lady expressed this opinion ‘ I would so much rather worry about where im going to get water for the day, than like, stressing out about a parking spot.’ Anyone who knows me, probably has a vague idea of my reaction to such a condescending and silly statement. What do you all think about this? Does she have a point, or is this merely trivializing the difficulty of life here? Personally it makes it seem like the people here want to have a life where they have to choose daily between bathing, and washing clothes. I doubt anyone would choose to go without the basic foundation of life on earth. Perhaps I miss understood her, but upon further discussion, it really seemed that shed give up everything to haul water everyday. Seems rather ungrateful really. So that’s a legitimate-hazel-rant.

Well, all here is still dry, but it seems that in the next couple weeks, we should enter our winter aka 6 months of rain. I’m looking forward to it. The landscape should brighten up, the temperature should cool down, and maybe night rain will drown out the noises of barking dogs and crowing roosters long enough for me to sleep!

We´re still in mango season. Ya know they have mangoes here the size of footballs! They´re called papaya mango. Amazing. I´ve only seen them, and have yet to taste one, but from all sources it’s a worthwhile investment.

Anyone feel like sending me some modge-podge?

how is all stateside? somebody should leave me a comment, I want to know what you all think of my blog!