Introduction
Trip Start
Sep 05, 2005
1
48
Trip End
Nov 07, 2007
Miami, Florida
Monday, September 5, 2005
I suppose one of the biggest questions I am asked is "Why the Peace Corps"? I believe that most people have a misunderstanding of what the Peace Corps is all about. I fear that most times, when mentioned, people envision some sort of hippie with dreadlocks and a guitar strapped to his/her back, being sent to Africa to dig a ditch and left there for two years to live off the land and become primitive. This couldn't be further from the truth.
I realized long ago that I was born with a curse placed upon me. You see, humanity has its limits of sympathy and sadness for things going on around us, but normally only at a level which is to our immediate right or left. But this curse, however, disallows this comfortable boundary of heartache. I cannot look at human suffering across the globe without feeling as if my insides are being torn out. Some people mistake my curse for compassion, but that is false. I would gladly relinquish this curse that has been placed on me to want to carry the weight of the world on my shoulders and suffer terribly when I realize I cannot. It would be so much easier (and normal) to not care about things which I cannot change or aren't happening to my friends and family. But I am stuck. And as long as I have this curse, I know that I can only make the best of it and somehow benefit. And that's when I chose the Peace Corps.
I will not only be able to help someone in need,(I hope) but the possibility to learn a new language and culture, and be humbled by my simple, yet luxurious life, is an amazing opportunity. I also realize how much we take for granted in the United States. What an amazing blessing to be able to appreciate simple things we take as necessities, but in other countries, are considered luxuries.
I suppose, overall, I can't explain in words why I chose the Peace Corps; However I imagine the whole story will unfold as I write in these journals, and perhaps some of you can help me discover my reasons as well.
