Rollercoaster Blues

Everyone says the life of volunteer is a rollercoaster of emotions. Each day, each week, each month, each year… the ups and downs of life outside our comfort zones. Most days it’s frustrations about language barriers or enthusiasm about something new we cooked, new friends we made or a irritating student in class. Small things that seem incredibly important in the moment. But in hours or days they pass and we move on to the next turn and dip on this epic ride.

This week has been the first real hit-the-ground low. Today one of the volunteers in our cohort is flying home, due to some medical problems. He will not be returning and our cohort, our Peace Corps family, has lost something irreplaceable. So here’s a shoutout to one of the most genuinely caring and fantastic human beings I have ever met. From all of us in Lesotho 88- we miss you, dude!

The major high point in this long, long week of teaching and crying was the group trip to Tsehlanyane National Park. We went on the first day of December and made it feel like the Fourth of July. There was a large swimming hole and most of took advantage of the conveniently placed rocks to do cannonballs. It’s the first time any of us have been submerged in water in 2 months. Sorry to say, but bucket baths just don’t cleanse the soul the way they do the body. There was also some really epic hiking and some drop dead gorgeous mountains to behold. We finished it off with a good old fashioned BBQ. I spent a large percentage of the time after eating taking a nap in a friend’s hammock. It was a great day and a perfect send off for our friend.

This is the last week of training. Next week I have to pass a language test (not worried about it) and then I will be sworn in as a volunteer at a big ceremony. We’re told some very important people will show up since it is the celebration of 50 years of Peace Corps serving in Lesotho. I’ll update you on how all that goes next week as well as my subsequent move from the training village to my site in the mountains. Next week is going to be a corkscrew on this rollercoaster of mine. Should be interesting!

The missing piece

Me in my natural habitat

My new favorite nap spot!

In we go!

Another amazing lightning storm!