Thank Yous

My Peace Corps service is wrapping up in less than three weeks. The US government is shut down, but we're still on the clock. Our measly living stipend doesn't worry the lawmakers. Back in 2011 when government cutbacks were sweeping through and I was just in training here in Panama, we nervously asked if Peace Corps might be cut out as a non-essential function. We were told the annual budget of Peace Corps world-wide was less than the cost of one F-16 fighter jet, of which the US military has 4,500, so we weren't worried.

Whenever I am involved in some way with an argument or discussion among community members I remind them,

            "Mira, soy una voluntaria de Cuerpo de Paz, no Cuerpo de guerra"

In Spanish, Peace Corps translates to "Body of Peace". I tell them, "Look, I'm a Peace Corps volunteer, not war corps". I'm no stereotypical hippie and my blood will always run red, white, and blue - but sometimes it's nice to be abroad when everyone is acting-a-fool. 

This isn't my last blog, I just want to give some shout outs to people who have supported me throughout my time here.

Anyone who had ever sent me a card or letter, Thanks. Old fashioned mail is underused in this electronic generation, and being here reminds me how awesome it feels to get something from the post-man. Reading mundane updates from home was soothing and reminders to "carry a big stick" showed how much you care.

Did you send me a care package? Thank-you. Sometimes it took three months to arrive, sometimes the ants had eaten all of the candy. I know it's not cheap to ship overseas, thanks for understanding that to me it was priceless to hold a bit of home. My first couple months I received a lot of soap. I think people assumed I was smelly. And I'm still using the popcorn that I was sent when I blogged about trying to pop the local corn! I've gotten granola bars and chocolate-covered-peanut butter-filled pretzels, tooth brushes and new, clean (not moldy) clothes. Fancy shampoo, and toys for the kids. My first Christmas after being here five months I walked away from the post office loaded down with boxes. All of it. Awesome.

If you donated money to one of the projects I talked about, Thanks. I've already said it, but you're making a forever-impact for basic necessities of fellow humans.

Did you come visit me? Did you get bit up by mosquitoes? Did I take you on a two day hike over a mountain range to attend an indigenous festival? That one time, there was no toilet paper. You used a latrine. Bathed in the creek. Rode the bus and in the back of the truck with me, got rained on, ate so much rice. You really know what it's like, and that's unique. Thanks for the company and for being so adventurous! 

Have you thought about me? Shot off a quick e-mail? Sent up a prayer? The emotional challenges have been the toughest, and just knowing I have people at home thinking about me means the world. Most Panamanians can't comprehend a single, young, female leaving her entire family to come alone to work in a foreign country. Unheard of. I used to be asked a lot if I were sad. My robotic response was always, "No! I'm on the adventure of my life!" until one day my friend in my community, Melba, told me "Really? Because if I left everyone I ever knew and went someplace completely new, I'd be sad. No doubt". So I admitted, I was a little sad at first. And the struggles constantly popped up. But now this place is my home and these people are like family, and I'm going to be sad to leave.