Whirlwind days and nights

Well, it certainly has been intellectually stimulating so far. Class after class until 6 pm at night. Finally had a day off yesterday so we could do our first hand laundry in set tubs on the grounds of the college. It was quite entertaining seeing a row of PCV's dunking their clothes in a soapy sink then rinsing in another sink. We hung our laundry on the lines provided and groaned when a rain shower passed by, re-wetting our sopping clothes! The cold showers are actually quite refreshing. The water is turned off at 8 pm at night until the morning due to water rationing. We have a huge barrelful of water to use in between times.

Matt and I are sharing a suite with another couple, just like old college days. We have lots in common and I hope we will become fast friends for years to come. They are a delightful couple who love to joke around, yet are interesting conversationalists. Our breakfasts have consisted of fish, callalou ( a spinach type veggie), plaintains, eggs and toast. We haven't had dessert with any of the meals, so we are bound to slim down a bit, even though we've been sitting in classes. Matt and I got up early today to walk on a track nearby. Lots of Jamaicans out power walking with us.

The presenters have been fabulously entertaining and informative. We were shown very graphic pictures in our sexually transmitted diseases lecture/HIV/Aids lecture. The younger members of the group were a bit stunned at best. We had a speaker on emotional wellness and he did an amazing ice breaking activity that really got people thinking about diversity and commonalities. It was extremely emotional for many of the group. We are truly becoming a supportive community with lots of opportunity to converse.

We got our phones the first day, except that mine doesn't take internation calls, although Matt's does. We'll send along the number to our friends once we get it straightened out. Looks like we'll have lots of phone support from Peace Corps staff via phone which is reassuring.

Started our language classes today in earnest and we are all a bit befuddled with the rules and there is even a Patwa Alfabet( that's how it is spelled). A group of the younger volunteers challenged me to a Scrabble game last night and while I held my own, I didn't win. I'm determined to uphold the Folkschool women's honor in the next game.

I feel incredibly alive, accepted and challenged. It was the right decision to embark on this journey, even though it means time away from friends and family.

All for now,
Kare