5 July 2010
I am dangerously close to being an RPCV. Today is my last day in my village and I have packed my bags, given away 80% of what I own, and scrubbed down the windows, floors and walls. It is pretty amazing that in a week’s time I will be done with this experience.
This past month we have been on school holiday, which coincided with the World Cup! World Cup fever has taken over SA and it is awesome! We watched the kick-off match between SA and Mexico deck-out in our Bafana Bafana gear at the fan park in Polokwane. I also got to go to two matches at the Polokwane Stadium; Algeria vs Slovenia and Paraguay vs NZ. It was so fun to be a part of the action. We also got out to support USA and wave our flags at a local bar! What a great energy to end my service.
It has been hard thinking about leaving SA behind and moving on to the next adventure. I feel so lucky to have gotten to stay in this beautiful village with such a wonderful family, who has taken great care of me. And the PCV friends I made are people I will know for the rest of my life.
Coming back to life in America is intimidating; driving, looking for a job, heck- how trying to date someone! While I am looking forward to some of the comforts that the US has to offer like hot showers and Mexican food, I am also nervous about how to integrate the person I have become with fast paced, consumer culture of the States. But this is all part of the Peace Corps challenge and just like the rest of this experience it will take patience, humor and time. (In PC lingo they call this “re-entry”, its like I am an astronaut!)
I can’t wait to see you all on the flip side!
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