Out of the Blue
June 13th, 2006 by careberg in South Africa.In a matter of weeks, my life, as I have known it for 61 years, will drastically change. On July 24th, I will begin my 27-months with the Peace Corps serving in South Africa. This realization came to me for the first time 2 days ago – I began to cry. At first, I didn’t know what I was crying about. But then, the fear made itself known. I would be leaving behind everything that I had become familiar with: my house, my work, my friends, my cats, my . . .probably things I have yet to imagine. And I felt SCARED. Perhaps this is the first of several emotional reactions that will jump out at me as I prepare to leave.
Another one hit me tonight. One of my friends had committed to keeping my 5 cats for me while I was in South Africa. Tonight, with 6 weeks to go, he told me that he cannot do it. So, again, I am crying. I have to try and find a home for each of them, but that is not the hard part - the hard part is saying good-bye. Geez, if it’s this hard to say goodbye to my cats, I can only imagine how hard it will be to say goodbye to all of my friends. At least, my friends will be here when I get back. Letting go . . .letting go ,,,
Am I striking any familiar cords? Any words of wisdom? Thanks.
June 15th, 2006 at 3:30 pm
I’m a mid-life woman who served in Mpumalanga Province (SA9) 2002-2004. I know the fear mixed with excitement. I found, during most of my service, that I stayed in the NOW better than ever before in my life. Unfortunately, that fell off rapidly once I returned to the U.S. I miss being somewhere that I knew my purpose so clearly and felt so ‘valued’. Don’t find that back in the world of ‘business as usual’.
Revel in the experience.
June 15th, 2006 at 10:21 pm
Cynthia: Thanks for your response. I know what you mean about “business as usual” - when I come back from a vacation, it is amazing how quickly I return to my stressful pace of life. Will we ever learn? Nice to hear that you had a valuable experience.
June 15th, 2006 at 10:27 pm
Cynthia: I read your reply to David and it was helpful to me. I am concerned about restarting up my life when I return. The readjustment allowance doesn’t take one very far. I am self-employed and am closing my Clinical Psychology practice in mid-July. It took me years to build. What kind of shape was your house in when you returned? I too have a house that I will be renting and have some nervousness about it. Carolyn
June 16th, 2006 at 8:34 am
I didn’t want to register. but I’m a PCV in Burkina Faso. Check the blog.
adaminafrica.blogspot.com
June 21st, 2006 at 2:41 pm
Hey Carolyn-
I too will be headed off to South Africa on July 24th…don’t worry…there is a whole community of people out here going through a similiar experience of leaving the familiar and venturing into the “unknown”. In fact, there is a Yahoo group created specifically for those of us leaving in the same group. There are a few older/younger people that serve as your support system. Go to Yahoo.com…click on groups…type in sa2006pcts…and you’ll find us…if not, I’ll see you on the 24th!
June 22nd, 2006 at 12:01 am
Danielle: Thanks for the info. I went there, created an account and tried to join the group. No luck. My yahoo name is: carebergsa. How do I link this to the sa2006pcts group? Thanks
July 6th, 2006 at 3:36 am
Hi Carolyn and Danielle,
I am a current Peace Corps Volunteer serving in Ladysmith, South Africa with my husband Tom. I am 50 and Tom is 57. You will be meeting Tom soon because he is on the Volunteer Advisory Committee and will be coming to your training the first week you arrive. Yes, it is scary and hard to say goodbye to friends, family and pets and your regular life as you know it. But, you will be meeting and bonding with very wonderful people who are in the same situation as you and know how you are feeling. I do get homesick occasionally but being here is an amazing experience and I have no regrets about joining the Peace Corps. Tom and I are doing NGO development with an HIV/AIDS organisation in Ladysmith: http://www.mpilonhle.givengain.org. We are here for you if you need anything. Looking forward to meeting you both soon!
July 20th, 2006 at 8:23 pm
Hello,
I admire your courage to tackle such an adventure.
My wife just got back from South Africa in 2005. She had a handful of other PCVs there that were your age. What an adventure. She lived in Kameelputs, South Africa for 2 years. It’s a little north of Kimberley. She kept a journal the whole time she was there, and still maintains it. She’s transferring it all to a blog right now so that interested PCVs and RPCVs can share their experiences or get better insight. It’s http://www.peacecorpskate.blogspot.com if you’d like to look at it. You could also email her if you like. She loves to help and she loves to share her story. It was very rewarding, but very hard for her. She misses it and thinks about her village all the time.
Be safe and have the time of your life.
July 20th, 2006 at 8:34 pm
Hi Cynthia and Danielle.
My name is Katy Prather (then Vence) and I was a Volunteer in South Africa from 2003 to 2005. My husband wrote the message above and I also wanted to let you know that I’d love to answer any questions you may have about the programs there, as well as anything else you may want to know. I’ve just begun a blog about my experiences that you can check out periodically. http://peacecorpskate.blogspot.com Also feel free to email me at peacecorpskate@yahoo.com…I’d love to ease your mind about the journey you have ahead. Just four days left before your departure. It’s gonna be great!! (fear and apprehension is completely normal. be easy on yourself!)
PS..Maybe you can carry the message to some PC friends who are still there. Let me know if that’s a possibility. Thanks!