Posh Core

As we rapidly near the end of training (one week left) I can’t begin to explain how relieved I am that this part is about over. It’s often said that most people who would consider doing a second tour of duty decide against it solely because they don’t want to endure another training period.
So here’s some news on my permanent site placement. Somehow the camping lifestyle most people associate with the Peace Corps is far from my reality. Quite fondly referred to as Posh Core, Peace Corps is taking on a whole new meaning. I guess I won’t have much of a problem being content, living in a Suburb of the capital, 10 minutes from the airport, and in a large village with BMW’s and Benz’s frequenting the dusty dirt roads. The dichotomy makes a striking sight. I am moving in with a family of all women, the husband having passed away some time ago. The three girls 19, 16 and 12 are raised by their mother and their extremely large extended family. Their house comes fully equipped with indoor plumbing, electricity and a beautiful bathroom and shower. What more could I ask for? I have my own room and although in the central part of the house and not quite protective of all the noise a huge family can make, its comfortable and I am extremely fortunate to have such exquisite accommodations. That is certainly not the case for other volunteers as my poor friend Grace who will be in beautiful region in the north has to carry a candle to her outhouse so as not to fall in the hole!
Given that some other volunteers are in villages of about 300 hundred people and mine is 9000 people, I consider myself lucky as boredom is my worst fear. Sacrifices that I make for the cushy accommodations include being in the flattest, hottest region and certainly the most aesthetically displeasing of this otherwise beautiful mountainous country. The Ararat Region named for the infamous Mt. Ararat can be seen from all over the region. So I will be living in a valley with a stunning view of the Mountain that Noah allegedly landed his ark on. Other than Ararat, the region can brag about having the best fruits and vegetables that flourish in the relentless summer heat. (When Armenians hear where I am headed, they make a face of horror and reply well…the winter is nice! ) So I won’t be in the most beautiful site, but I suppose I can’t have everything…at least there are beautiful green gardens behind the houses which will have to provide me my nature fix. Ruth D. must be a reincarnated Armenian because her garden’s are the only ones I have ever seen that can even begin to come close to the gardens here. It certainly gives Organic a whole new meaning. And by the way milk straight from the cow…heated of course…makes the American concept of milk a bit embarrassing.
The school I will be working in has 800 hundred students and is impressive. This school is the teacher training school for the entire region so it comes fully equipped including with a fabulous no-nonsense female director who doesn’t tolerate corruption or endless coffee breaks. The teacher I am paired with teaches a few first aid classes which we will be tag teaming and then I am left to work on whatever secondary projects I can come up. It seems that there are untapped opportunities and I am confident I can find a way to extend beyond the school as we all know my feelings regarding children other then Emma Pires. J
So I find myself again with another transition looming ahead and while I love the family I am staying with now and the region is green, mountainous and with perfectly beautiful weather, I am eager to get the next transition underway. It’s funny how instability leads to a longing for things that I would otherwise be fine with doing without for a few years. Homesickness comes in the strangest of waves. While I can confidently say that I am happy to be here, I fall asleep dreaming about Spain, I wake up yearning for my bike with a Cape Cod beach to ride to, and I spend my days enthralled by Armenia. The first ten minutes of every day is the most difficult and trying to fall asleep is a bit challenging too, but soon I will be in my new site dreaming about Arzakan and the beauty and people that I am about to leave behind.