Once Upon a Time
I didn't sleep Wednesday night, no point really. I started getting ready at 1:30am and headed out. I said goodbye to my brothers, my guinea pigs and my old pup Tiger. When my parents and I got there the airport was actually closed until 4am so I sat with a small group of people until the Delta workers decided to show up. I said goodbye to mom and dad and prayed when they X-rayed my backpack that they wouldn't make me open it and then try and manage to get all my stuff back in.
I sat and waited by my gate listening to this older couple talk about the places they have traveled in their lives together. The lady sat in her chair, sipping her free coffee like being at the airport was second nature. It made me want to be her one day. Her husband continued to walk back and forth bringing her refills and talking about how he was a pilot in the navy. They wished me good luck and I boarded the plane.
After I finally got to the hotel, my room wasn't ready yet so I walked down the street to Jake's Pizza for a triple stacked sandwich. I sat outside in the cool northern air and listened to music while watching people sleeping on sidewalks and construction workers working on a foundation for a new building.
Philadelphia is a very old city, not like any I have ever seen before. My hotel is right near a few hospitals and all you could smell was medical waste and lines of ill, injured and old stood outside the doors. Occasional ambulances drove up to the curve carrying stretchers and talking on radios. Trucks down the line unloaded medical supplies.
When I got back to the hotel more Peace Corps people came in looking as confused and worried as I was. I met a lot of people from my program who were all very intelligent and friendly.
We got back and headed to registration and staging. I finished filling out some last minute things, got some money, and checked my passport. We went into the Liberty Room of the hotel and started the VERY LONG five hours of the seminars. I felt like I was in kindergarten while we had to write how we felt and answered questions about volunteer work and how to be accepted into a community. towards the last hour, we had a fire alarm go off due to a smoking microwave. When the fire department left, we went in to learn about the rules of the hotel and such.
I went out with a large group of fellow volunteers to get some food at a mall food court, then with a smaller group for a drink. I learned through this whole thing that everyone with me was similar and I was the odd one. Everyone has a degree in international affairs, or related to it. Everyone has been to Africa before or neighboring places. They were all worldly and did amazing things already, and when they asked me I mentioned Canada, which brought a small chuckle.
When I got back to my hotel I was exhausted. I was scared and worried and tired and wanting to run away from all this. I started to pass out and then Steve called. It was what I needed. I was so tired though I could barely speak. The next thing I knew I woke up this morning to another day.
This morning has been awful. All I feel is sick and worried. I'm worried that I got myself into something I can't deal with. I keep wanting to go home I keep wanting to run from this. I'm trying hard not to, but I'm not feeling good.
I'll see what the day brings me.
I miss you guys :(
EDIT: We finished the first half of the day, and we have 1 1/2 hours of lunch before we continue on. We learned about unwanted attention and harassment along with some of the Peace Corps policies about politics and some things that might happen there. We learned more about malaria, petty theft, GI issues, etc. After watching a video about the Peace Corps and talking more today, I feel much better and have become more excited to go.
I also took a look at some other peoples' passport books full of stamps and I had the urge to do the same.
I can do this, I can do this!
I get out a 6pm EST tonight, I'll be at my hotel room around 7pm EST. Give me a call. This may be the last chance for a while.
I love you!
I sat and waited by my gate listening to this older couple talk about the places they have traveled in their lives together. The lady sat in her chair, sipping her free coffee like being at the airport was second nature. It made me want to be her one day. Her husband continued to walk back and forth bringing her refills and talking about how he was a pilot in the navy. They wished me good luck and I boarded the plane.
After I finally got to the hotel, my room wasn't ready yet so I walked down the street to Jake's Pizza for a triple stacked sandwich. I sat outside in the cool northern air and listened to music while watching people sleeping on sidewalks and construction workers working on a foundation for a new building.
Philadelphia is a very old city, not like any I have ever seen before. My hotel is right near a few hospitals and all you could smell was medical waste and lines of ill, injured and old stood outside the doors. Occasional ambulances drove up to the curve carrying stretchers and talking on radios. Trucks down the line unloaded medical supplies.
When I got back to the hotel more Peace Corps people came in looking as confused and worried as I was. I met a lot of people from my program who were all very intelligent and friendly.
We got back and headed to registration and staging. I finished filling out some last minute things, got some money, and checked my passport. We went into the Liberty Room of the hotel and started the VERY LONG five hours of the seminars. I felt like I was in kindergarten while we had to write how we felt and answered questions about volunteer work and how to be accepted into a community. towards the last hour, we had a fire alarm go off due to a smoking microwave. When the fire department left, we went in to learn about the rules of the hotel and such.
I went out with a large group of fellow volunteers to get some food at a mall food court, then with a smaller group for a drink. I learned through this whole thing that everyone with me was similar and I was the odd one. Everyone has a degree in international affairs, or related to it. Everyone has been to Africa before or neighboring places. They were all worldly and did amazing things already, and when they asked me I mentioned Canada, which brought a small chuckle.
When I got back to my hotel I was exhausted. I was scared and worried and tired and wanting to run away from all this. I started to pass out and then Steve called. It was what I needed. I was so tired though I could barely speak. The next thing I knew I woke up this morning to another day.
This morning has been awful. All I feel is sick and worried. I'm worried that I got myself into something I can't deal with. I keep wanting to go home I keep wanting to run from this. I'm trying hard not to, but I'm not feeling good.
I'll see what the day brings me.
I miss you guys :(
EDIT: We finished the first half of the day, and we have 1 1/2 hours of lunch before we continue on. We learned about unwanted attention and harassment along with some of the Peace Corps policies about politics and some things that might happen there. We learned more about malaria, petty theft, GI issues, etc. After watching a video about the Peace Corps and talking more today, I feel much better and have become more excited to go.
I also took a look at some other peoples' passport books full of stamps and I had the urge to do the same.
I can do this, I can do this!
I get out a 6pm EST tonight, I'll be at my hotel room around 7pm EST. Give me a call. This may be the last chance for a while.
I love you!
posted by Trega at
12:01:00 PM
4 Comments:
Sounds like you've had a very eventful few days! obviously lol what else would you expect? Yes you can do this babe! I will call you tonight at 7 as I promised :)
Jex, we love you and were worried be4 I read the edit. I'm glad you are keeping us up on your status. Remember...if you are stepping out of your comfort zone it's going to be a little scary but it will get easier day by day. All of the other people you are with had their "first time" too. You are AMAZING and you can do it!!! (p.s. the pigs send you hugs)
Momxoxosmack
You are going to be so amazing babe! I believe in you. I believe in your ability to adapt and creative something positive out of any situation!
xo love
Jessica, don't you DARE feel inadequate to these people because of where they've been or what they've done. There is no way any of them could be half the compassionate person that you are! You will do great, I just know it. I admire you so much for going and doing this, and I hope that we will always remain the best of friends. I love you, and I wish you the best on your beautiful journey. Don't let anything get you down. You are AWESOME!!! I love you sister. :) -vanna
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