My two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer is up and as of May
23, 2014 I transition to a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, a title I proudly
wear. I can’t pretend I’m not a little sad, and I can’t pretend I’m not a
little relieved. I like change, and I have been ready for it for a while.
It’s a little sad
saying goodbye, as it is and should be whenever it’s a good long term/permanent
goodbye. Tuesday I had my last day at the school and was bombarded with tight
hugs from teachers, staff and children – with the younger children asking when
I’d return. Today my 15 year old host sister (of just these past 6 months after
I left my first home) reminisced of the good times she’ll remember- like when
we celebrated our birthdays together with cake. In my eagerness to pack up and
jet off to my next adventure I need to remember to slow down and respect their
goodbyes, because this isn’t just my goodbye but theirs too. I came in this
ready for 2 years of culture shock, strange foods, challenges and the
unexpected, but to a lot in my rural community I came out of nowhere and they
embraced me quickly. I am wholly grateful to Cascade and all the people that
have become friends and family to me there and I will never forget them as I
know many of them will never forget me.
I am incredibly grateful
for Peace Corps, PCJ staff and especially PCV friends who have endured and
enjoyed life on Jamrock alongside me. You’re all pretty fucking amazing people
that have done, are doing and will do great things (PC must attract
awesomeness). To all you who are thinking of, beginning, or in the middle of
your service, I’d like to pass on my mantra from the past 2 years; “this isn’t
permanent.” Remember this on those days when nothing seems to go right; your
project is not working out, no one is listening to you, that rastaman pointed
out your getting fluffy (fat), you don’t have anything good to eat, the current
is out and it’s hot and all you want is some peace and quiet but your host
family is being super loud. More importantly, remember it on those days that don’t
suck, those days where you find yourself out in the middle of the bush
connecting with people about change, listening to the birds sing while roasting
yam on an open fire and drinking a jelly coconut or hanging out at a beautiful
beach with Peace Corps friends and a cold Red Stripe. Remember that you chose
to be here and you can choose to go back to America. Remember you are lucky to
have choices. Remember there are ups and downs and don’t get caught up in
either; ride the waves, it can be fun… I promise. You’ll look back and be
grateful for all you’ve learned from those downs… I promise. You’ll also
really, really enjoy those ups… I absolutely promise.
Living in another country has been all I expected and more.
I’ve been challenged in ways I never thought and learned things about myself I
never knew and I’ve come to many conclusions including; one: that I’m pretty
awesome and two: I’m not ready to live in the United States. As some of you
already know, I will not stop calling Jamaica home quite yet. After I visit
California for a month and a half I’ll be back, living in a different parish
and working on different projects, no longer with the Peace Corps. Soo… 1. Who is
going to take the opportunity they missed the first 2 years to come and visit
me? and 2. Who is going to help me eat mountains of tacos when I’m in
California??
