October 13, 2009
One of the things I’ve noticed is the quiet of this mountainside village. Sure there are the sounds of the children playing and the occasional animal noises, but other than that there’s a stillness about it. There are no cars or trucks riding on the roads all day, no machinery noises, and no airplanes going overhead. It’s just peaceful. In some ways it’s a contrast to the ruggedness of the land, but even the ruggedness has a certain beauty about it.
The staff at the school where I’m working has really been wonderful and very patient with me as I try to learn their language. Since it’s such a small school it’s very easy to learn everybody’s name, which makes it a nice, close knit community. Most of the teachers are young, but there are a few my age. The other day we went out for a late lunch to celebrate “Teacher’s Day.” It was nice to see them in a different setting and see how well they really do get along. In some ways it was like being back home, sitting around eating, laughing, dancing and just enjoying each other’s company. Some things transcend all borders.
While I am lucky that my school has internet and so technically I can have access 5 days a week, there are many days when it is not working, or it is busy when I’m free. Actually not being able to get on the computer doesn’t bother me. It’s not that I don’t like hearing from people via email, because I do, but I didn’t expect to have daily access, so I’m not disappointed when I don’t. If it’s there’s a real need for me to use the internet I can always go to my counterpart’s house and use hers, or go down to town.
I do have a cell phone, but it doesn’t work in the house where I’m now staying. I have to go outside to use it, so I miss a lot of phone calls and test messages (which I don’t do anyway). However, when I move into my own house, I will be able to get phone service inside. But again, I didn’t come here expecting to use a phone a lot.
This past weekend two of the other PCVs came up to visit my village. I took them on my walk to school, that I do each day, which is quite unique. I mostly walk on paths behind houses or up rocky lanes, where I have to not only be careful about the rocks, but also look out for animal droppings. The good thing about it is that it helps me stay in shape. We then went for a walk up one of the hills up here and then walked down into town. They agreed that I have a beautiful village with magnificent vistas and now understand why I don’t leave my village often.