Ups and Downs

I’m going to start posting the times that I write these because there will be occasions where I won’t be able to post it until days, or even weeks, later.

Friday, June 14^th

I’ve been in the Peace Corps for about 4 days now. 1 full day in Togo.

Some things have gone exceptionally well. Some… not so well.

Per usual, we will start with the below average occurrences first:

Half of my luggage did not arrive with us in Togo.

The malaria pills are not my favorite - as in they make me light-headed and shaky.

I got locked inside my own room at the hostel we are staying at. Twice.

Babies are very prevalent here in Togo. I don’t like babies.

I was strongly cautioned to not wear my contacts because there have been rare occasions of eye amoebas.

I almost got ran over by a moto. I literally had to jump out of the way.

Upsides:

Five other volunteers also have luggage missing, so a report was filed and hopefully they will be here by Sunday.

I only have to take these malaria pills for 12 more days before I switch to a different one. We start off on these because they are effective immediately while the others take more time.  Being instantly protected from malaria is well worth the less than pleasant side effects.

I got out of my room..

I have begun to find myself more attracted to Togolese babies. I have yet to hear one cry and when they are tied to their mothers’ backs with just their feet hanging out, I get all warm and fuzzy inside.

The Peace Corps has an excellent medical staff here in Togo and our health and safety is their number one priority. Although I’m stubborn about my contact lenses, I appreciate their strong concerns. It’s a relief to know that no matter what happens, I will be well tended to health wise.

The motos in Lome are always going to scare me.  This occurrence was just a reminder to be more cautious than usual. There’s no pedestrian “right of way” here. Also, I’ll most likely be stationed in a small village and the risk of being run over by anything other than a herd of goats will be minimized.

And naturally, there’s more good than bad.

I’m learning more about the CHAP program that I will be working under for my two years. I will have opportunities to work in a local clinic, teach health education at the village’s secondary school, and get to travel occasionally with local health organizations. I’ll let y’all know more about my actually duties as a hear more, but all of these options are very exciting.

I already really enjoy the company of everyone in my “stage”. I guess the Peace Corps attracts a certain kind of person and I am not disappointed. I can’t wait to get to know everyone and serve with them over the next two years.

The food is amazing.

I’ll never feel comfortable buying anything in the United States again because it is so cheap here!

That’s all for now. This is starting off harder than I had anticipated. I honestly expected the struggles to come after being alone in my own village. However, every negative experience has been countered with far more positive ones. I think that’s going to become an ongoing theme with my Peace Corps service. The bad is inevitable, but the good is what makes you stick it out.

Also, I meet my host family for my two months of training in a couple days! A post to come on that soon.

Shea