So didn't 2 years go by quickly!  Ha, ha.  I found I don't like NOT being in control of my life.  Who would of thought I needed to be in control?  Again, ha ha.  Here are the particulars:

As you can see from earlier entries, I've been living "in village" as they say during my 10 weeks of training.  It's Winter in June so it's dark by around 6 p.m. and we are required to stay inside when it is dark. (Dogs run loose at night protecting the homes, etc...plus other safety issues I guess but those are  the Peace Corps rules.)  I found this somewhat claustrophobic - can't go anywhere, can't do anything.  Also, it's dark. I mean, no electricity dark - just the kerosene lamp or a flashlight.  Go into a room and turn off the lights and close the blinds at night. Now just use a flashlight (best if mounted on your forehead so that you can use your hands) to find things or read from 6 pm until you go to sleep. Of course, have nothing in the room to do but read a book and do that for several hours every single night.  I didn't like the constant dark.

Then there is no running water which isn't actually that bad.  The pump is near & we can boil water and we have tons of buckets for different things plus a sort of tub for bathing - see 6/18 pictures.  However,  I never really felt properly clean.  I don't know what the problem was except there just never seemed to be enough water. I always felt gritty.  Of course, the wind blew constantly and everything is dirt so maybe that was it. 

Next is the "big picture" issue.  I'm a big picture person.  I was having a hard time dealing with information "as needed."  For example, we are going to Maseru (the big city) Saturday, do I need to buy my set up dishes, etc.  for when we are living on our own in a few weeks or will we be going back to Maseru or a different camp town for that stuff later? Do I bring extra money or will have I have internet time instead?  Do I make a list of stuff I need? Whats the plan? The answer, "we will let you know on Saturday, don't worry."  We are told Saturday what we are doing on the way to town.    

Finally was the training which was fun except when we received hand outs and had to read them on dark rainy days again, with no electricity so it's DARK in the classroom.  I'm finding myself getting headaches trying to see in all this constant dark.... 

So I'm gritty, freaked out by being shut in & bored in the dark and I cannot plan.  Not good for me. 

We are supposed to decide in those training weeks if this is really where we want to be at this point in our lives and I finally decided after much thought and some great help from the Peace Corps staff that perhaps, for me, the answer is No. I decided I would rather be in a different position with the Peace Corps now instead of 2 years from now.  Since I've proven to myself once and for all that I need the comfort of electricity and running water, I can better serve the Peace Corps in paid positions where we have those things such as a Recruiter, or a Trainer.  Maybe even some day a Country Director.   

So, I'm back with the option over the next year to return to a different post as a Volunteer.  I retain my PC employee status & have insurance accordingly at the Fed wonderful rates (first mo back free) and the Country Directors have offered their names for my resume and reference so all is well.  I'm just 2 years ahead of schedule which is probably good at my age!

Here are some photos of my last days in Lesotho and back at the Training Center in Maseru - it snowed! 


I'll miss my Lesotho family and the other 27 great volunteers I went out with who seem to be having a great time!  I wish them the best of luck.  I"ll miss also some great volunteers I met those last last few days who were at the training center for things they had to do in Maseru or to go to one of the World Cup games. I put a reference to one of their blogs to the right.  She's been in country forever so has great photos - enjoy & thanks Tarsha.

See you all soon.