The Final Countdown

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  Barahona, Dominican Republic
Tuesday, October 19, 2010

WIN SOME, LOSE SOME:  The national Construye tus Suenos youth business plan competition was two weekends ago and I brought two girls from my community to present their clothing store plan. Unfortunately, they did not place, thus not winning money, but they told me that they had a wonderful experience none the less. I mean, a plethora of food, lots of Dominican youth their age, and a free trip to the capitol.  Who wouldn't enjoy that?  It was fun seeing all of the younger volunteers with the youth they brought because they were really into it; working with their kids (ages 15-24) to improve their presentation techniques and whatnot.  It was strange realizing that it was the third time I had attended that conference.  Three years in a row at that center.  The new group of volunteers were also in attendence because part of their training is to see how the conference is run and also to facilitate ice-breakers for the kids.  I enjoyed talking to them though it was a little disheartening to know that this is the first new group of volunteers I really won't get to know because I'll be leaving.

COS CHECKLIST:  Applying to become a Peace Corps volunteer requires a lot of determination, a college degree, letters of recommendation, and patience. Lots of patience.  Leaving Peace Corps is no different.  At our Close Of Service (COS) conference in August we were handed a checklist that we must fill out before they had us our plane ticket home. There are over 30  things that we must complete on that list including, but not limited to, exit interviews with Peace Corps staff, tons of medical exams (I had to carry 3 different stool samples through the capitol to the lab), language exams, and turning in documents that you have entirely forgotten about in the last two years.  It's basically like a beaucratic treasure hunt.  Not that it's the most annoying thing I've encountered here through my last two years, but the fact that they pay us three days per diem and transport reimbursement just to get it all done is a little absurd.

FIESTA BLANCA:  As a part of my close of service, I decided to host the same party that my predecesor did - the COS White Party.  No, it's not based off of our skin color. It's a nighttime beach event where all of the volunteers in my group (and others in the region) are invited to and must wear white.  It's a cool idea because not only did we have it on the beach with food, drinks, music and a bonfire, but people slept in tents on the beach.  Not to mention the next day we went to a 3 story house on the river (Tarzan's House) to eat brunch then test out the new zip-line that the hotel in my site installed.  Who knew that Peace Corps could be so classy?

STRANGER THAN YOU KNOW: It's weird knowing that I have such little time left in site.  I tell my friends in the community that I only have two weeks left here and they give me this look like I'm abandoning them forever. "I'll be back," I tell them, but it doesn't really solve the face contortion issue.  Lucky for me the last volunteer came back to visit a few months ago so they know that we're not lying when we say we'll come back in the next couple years.  Even though I know I'll come back, it doesn't change the fact that I will never live in this community again.  These people have become family to me and sometimes I really do feel like I'm abandoning them.  They just can't get up and leave their situation. I can and I am.  I guess that I thought I'd be happier going back to the states since all my friends and family are there but I'm actually a little nervous. Scared even.  Not just because I've lived a completely different lifestyle for the last two years but because for the first time in my life I don't have a plan.  Yes I'm going back to live with Eric in Southern California, but I don't have a job, income, or financial security.  My old group of friends is scattered throughout the states and yet again, I have to put myself into the unknown. Sure, we all have to do it, but I've been doing it a lot lately.

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