End of Training

Unfortunately I don’t have a lot to say about the past few weeks.  Basically we have only been in language training, preparing for our LPI (Language Proficiency Interview), which must be passed in order to be sworn in as a Volunteer. 

We finally had the interview and it was set up to allow us to talk about our family, what work we will do in the Peace Corps and whatever else came up in discussion.  Thankfully, I passed!  So now, after 10 weeks, I don’t have to worry about this test and can relax until Swearing-In next week.  After then, we will all officially be Volunteers. 

As my time winds down in the village I am becoming more aware of the things I will miss:

The children.

Being close to anything I could possibly need for daily life.

My sister’s cooking.  She’s amazing at it.

The other Volunteers

Some things I may not miss so much:

The Church across the street, including the late night and early morning service, and all day service on Sunday

            The bleating baby goats everywhere

            Children following me in hoards shouting “Obruni!  Obruni!”

            My one little brother that is a crybaby

            The insects

            The training schedule.  Freedom is nice.

I have also been compiling a list of my “firsts” during my service so far so here they are:           

Solo flight           

International flight

Red-eye flight

Guinness beer

Airline food

Passport

Going through customs

Meeting a US Ambassador

Eating West-African food

Dry heaving

Heat exhaustion

Living in a village

Teaching a deaf classroom

Defecating in a cup

Chasing goats and chickens out of my house

Speaking an African language

Being called Obruni (White man)

Finding a chicken foot in my food

Having tailored clothes made

Seeing a Rhino Beetle

Eating dog

And its liver

And brain

Eating Guinea Fowl

Blacking out in a foreign country

Lying about going out to my family

Blaming intoxication on bad street meat/Malaria small small