My Journey and Weekly ruminations

6/23/19 I moved in with my host family yesterday (6/22). My host father is a 55-year-old carpenter, with 6 children, but only one lives with them full time; a daughter, who is a student. I met only my host-dad. He had the largest smile on his face when we met and gave me a big hug. That has to be the most striking piece of Ethiopian culture; while I get a lot of looks, and a lot of people stare, everyone is so welcoming. Even people that know nothing about me other than the way I look come up to me and say “Welcome” and “Salam-no.” While many of them wear Arsenal football jerseys, their kindness is none the less well received…even when I am representing Manchester United! The first time I met the rest of my host family was about an hour after the first awkward meeting of me and my father. There is a clear language barrier between myself and my family but they are, at every step, patient, kind, and willing to help me learn. My group (G21) found out what language we all had to lear...

Tonight, me and some of my fellow PCV’s were hanging out in the hotel lobby in Addis. I am realizing that I have never been in a group of such like minded people in my entire life. We are so different, but so similar. One of the main questions I was asked by so many people “why are you doing peace corps” or “what lead you to this decision?” Honestly, I was really unable to answer that question; I mean I like helping others and I wanted to travel so I guess this was the right choice. But with these people, I don’t need to explain my motivations, worries or anxieties because we are all sort of on the same boat. I never need to explain the way I am feeling because these people are right there with me. I really can’t explain how connected I feel with this group of people. I have never fallen in love with a group of personalities more than I have than with this group. One of my fellow PCV’s started this business type deal where she develops thought provoking questions in a book and leav...

6/17/2019 We are staying at a hotel in Addis for this week. The information overflow is crazy, but it is all the more exciting. From learning Amharic, to gaining a better understanding of the education system in Ethiopia – I am falling more and more in love with my decision to join the Peace Corps. While this is most likely going to be the most difficult thing I have ever done, I am none the less excited to be here. Today, June 16, was the first full day of training; our first session started at 0800 and was covering safety and security. Of course, there is risk in embarking on a journey like this, but taking the right steps will allow for most of the threats to be mitigated. Mom, Gram, most of the crime that PCV’s encounter is petty theft. Things like getting your wallet stolen, or something like that are the main risks and just take some common sense to prevent. The next session was the medical stuff and while it was just an intro session, all I can say is that I’m glad I am no...

This was posted late, BUT I wrote it on 6/15/19 as we were departing from Dulles to head out to Addis! Currently sitting on the plane about to leave for Addis Ababa. I have so many questions running through my head but for once I’m actually genuinely excited. Obviously, I am so excited for my journey to a different part of the world, but I have only positive emotions at this point! One thing I really can’t wait to do is share my music. Music is such a pivotal piece of my identity and I can not wait to share that aspect of myself with those around me. One question that has haunted me is what am I going to do when things get hard? I have a lot of different solutions in my head but the one that I have constantly come back to is music; I have lived my life partially by the adage “when in doubt, dance it out” and I can’t imagine life in Ethiopia will be any different. While we were in the air port checking our bags, an Ethiopian boy came up to us and asked “are you guys going campin...

It has been months since I have applied and was accepted to the Peace Corps. I have been talking about it, thinking about it, and worrying about it for so long. I have been saying for months that it is time to go! That I've just got to go do it. However, here I am one day out with so many more questions, anxieties, and fears; while simultaneously having feelings of excitement, joy, and wanderlust. It is just such a weird juxtaposition of emotions, and I feel so odd. Regardless of what emotions of fear and uncertainty remain in my thoughts, I can't deny how absolutely excited I am to get to Ethiopia and learn about how an entirely different culture exists and how they live a totally different life than I did in America. Lives so different, though we all exist on the same planet. I am reminded of a Tame Impala Lyric from the song "Apocalypse Dreams" the first line says "This could be the day that we push through, it could be the day that all our dreams come true....

Here I am sitting in my kitchen trying to wrap my head around the decision I have made to leave my beautiful home and comfort of being in America and head out to the other side of the world. I am 5 days out of leaving for staging in D.C. for my service in Ethiopia. I know so little; I know I'll be teaching English in country, but I do not know what age, and I do not know where I will be in country. I have so many questions!!! Where will I be? Will I be good at what I'm doing? How should I define "doing a good job"? How am I suppose to learn the language, Will my host family like me? Unfortunately, so many (if not all) of my questions will not be answered until I get there. What is a guy suppose to do in order to prepare for this journey?! I came to a realization when I graduated a couple weeks ago that the best I can do is pack, try to prepare mentally and do my best to say *see you later* (not goodbye) to friends and family state side. Which, by the way, I definitely...