Lions and Tigers and Bears

…o’my. That was one of the titles of the sessions for “staging” for the Peace Corps. It covered some of the anxieties and aspirations we have for our service. Staging is where all the volunteers going to a country get together for a series of talks and exercises to make sure everything is in order (or tickety-boo as the Brits would say) before they ship is off to a developing world country (in my case Guatemala). There is some irony in the fact that it’s at a really nice hotel, but it definitely lent itself to a professional few days. In our case it was in Washington D.C. (okay actually Crystal City). That worked out well for me for two reasons. First I’ve got a few very good friends who live here so I was able to see them Sunday night one last time. Second, I’ve really gotten to know the D.C. area this year so I knew where to go. In fact, I went out to dinner and drinks only a few blocks from the hotel when I was out to D.C. in July. My first morning here I went for a running tour of DC with my roommate (I was the tour guide). I feel very fortunate, I think I’ll be with a great group of people. We’ll be fairly close for the next 12-weeks during our “Pre-Service Training” and then will be dispersed throughout the country. Undoubtedly many of us will continue to get together throughout our service. What are my thoughts. 1) I can’t believe this is actually happening, basically as I detailed to my friend Jaime the day I came back from Ghana last year 2) I’m not really that nervous. I suppose on 2) I have the advantage of a few life experiences to thank for that! Not sure when my next blog will be. Just depends upon communication and available time.

What to read.

I’m trying to read up on Guatemala as much as I can without “spoiling” the experience with expectations. It probably won’t matter. There is no way to prepare myself for what I’m about to experience (and do I really want to). There are a wealth of good books out there. Heavily skimming the Rough Guide to Guatemala was a good start. I’m a sucker for a good travel guide. Margarita: a Guatemalan Peace Corps Experience did a great job a giving me a holistic view of the experience from a lady who was a volunteer in the late 1980’s. Guatemala: A Cry from the Heart was an intensely personal book by a businessman who has traveled extensively in Guatemala. He covers a wide array of social issues. Although a bit tough to slog through, Voices from Exile: Violence and Survival in Modern Maya History covered the issues of refugees during the civil war, a topic I’m still trying to wrap my brain around. I’m just starting In Focus Guatemala: A Guide to the People, Politics and Culture. You can get a pretty good idea of what it’s about from the title. In Focus is a great series an has titles covering quite a few countries. I’ve got to get all this reading done now since I only plan on bringing a couple of books with me (I should have decent access to English language books while I’m down there). Books are a lot of weight to lug when you’ve only got 80lbs (see last post). I would like to think that when I return I’ll be reading some more books, but in Spanish this time.

What the heck sould I pack?

Seriously. I have a limit of 80lbs and two bags plus a carry-on. It’s not as though I won’t have access to things like shaving cream or clothes, but they may or may not be what I want. I have a fairly good, albeit nebulous, idea of what I’ll be doing and what the appropriate attire is for that, but you never really know do you? So I’m trying to find a good mix of clothes to bring and whatever other sundry items I’ll at least want to get me started. Sensible shoes (whatever that means). The Peace Corps provided me a packing list, but if I packed all of it in my bags I would be well over the 80lbs and it wouldn’t fit in my bags. I know from experience that it will all work out. Of course I can have family or friends send me stuff if I find I really can’t do without something. It just seems to be the question of the day (both asked to me and by me).

Where am I and how did I end up here?

Most of you know that I’m between things. Really I’ve been between things for some time now. In many ways it has been wonderful and in some ways it has been taxing. A lifetime ago, as I sat in an office and worked long hours I dreamed about having and abundance of time off, being able to travel, visit and make friends, and just sort of hang out. The reverse wasn’t true when I had time off, although I did sometimes miss the sense of purpose in my everyday life. My overall assessment is that I wouldn’t have traded my 8-month “sabbatical” for anything.

It’s sometimes hard to figure out where you are in life until after you’ve been there. Right now I have one thought on my mind…I’m leaving for Guatemala with the Peace Corps in 18 days. There are many tributaries to that thought. What to pack. How to maximize my time left (whatever that means). How did I end up here? I’m probably more surprised than some of my close friends that I ended up here.