Rolling in the hay

7 May 12

Just some random thoughts, points, and tidbits:

*There is no electricity in my village (or bread, thank the gods!) and I don’t feel comfortable nor see it necessary to bring my computer to site, therefore blog posts will start to trickle to being posted one time per month, internet service permitting.

*Sleeping on hay is actually really comfortable, at least much more supportive than the spongy mattresses, but too messy to perhaps justify buying.

*I think I’ll probably maybe not be as jumpy about bugs after PC service, but I also might still be.

*I love love love my permanent family.  They are a legit family.  There is so much love, the food is very tasty, and they are wonderful!  I predict leaving to already be a painful goodbye.

*PST is almost over!  Time moves at such an odd pace in PC in general but perhaps especially during PST where it seems to move fast and slow all at once.  But I may say the same when I’m a PCV (May 11).

*I love that I don’t have to fake liking the food that my family cooks at my permanent site; I legitimately like the food that they cook.

*I actually love not having electricity at home.  Passing the time is done together sitting outside and looking at the stars.  I’m so fascinated by the night sky or content in just looking up that my family asked there is a sky in Alaska.  If only I had the words to describe.

*There is a lot of solar power used here.  It’s interesting that somehow people can seem to afford that versus electricity in one of the poorest countries in the world.

*The water table is continuing to lower and if the rains don’t come again this year, we are in trouble.

*Trying to think of something positive to end on: the culture here sure is different from my own, but the power of community is impressive, powerful, and something we can certainly learn from in our very independent Western world.
8 May 12
*My address should now say (hopefully if I passed the language test) PCV instead of PCT and will be my mailing address for the duration of my service here.  Please write me, if you'd like as recieving mail is so much fun!  And please send me your mailing address if you have't already if you would like to be included in my outgoing letters!
*Insala or Inshala is arabic and means, as I understand it, god willing.  I have adopted this saying and use it a lot so you'll probably see it in posts if you haven't already!
*Allhumdullilai is another one meaning, I'm thanking God.