This week was difficult because it is the halfway point in training. The days drain you because you wake up at dawn to learn Portuguese and sometimes battle heat, homesickness, and everything new. I have been here over a month and still have three more weeks until I know where I will live for the next 2 years. Naturally frustrating. As PC trainees, sometimes it feels like you are juggling a lot. On Tuesday when I woke up without energy, I shrugged it off and chugged along until about dinnertime when I retired to my room early feeling sick. We had the big halfway test on Thursday and then our much anticipated site visit – and so I was refusing to get sick! Until of course I threw up the next three days straight.
At points the week was miserable, but I have never felt so supported in my life. (This is fantasy land during training and it will be different when I’m a volunteer without the luxury of 56 other PC volunteers as neighbors). The first day I was sick I had about 10 house calls from all 6 volunteers in my neighborhood. This continued all three days parading in with smiles, Sprites, and saltines so I couldn’t help but feel a little better. Text messages came from the Brasilian women I teach English to, from the locals I play basketball with, from volunteers wishing me well. Other host moms and dads dropped by while Mama Adelia and Farida graciously catered to my needs.
Living abroad is sometimes unpleasant away from the comforts of home and there are certain risks and precautions, but for me it’s worth it. And I count this experience for why I’m a believer that you can find family everywhere. For now, Namaacha is not such a bad home away from home.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
0 comments:
Post a Comment