Full Circle

A lot of the greatest things in life come in circles…donuts, tracks (okay, it’s more of an oval, but still a type of circle), pizza pies.  All of those things are great, but the BEST thing in my life is also about to come full circle…my relationship with my HUSBAND!  That is still so strange to say.  I have been practicing saying it to strangers just to get used to it.  I say it at coffee shops to the barista…”This coffee is for my husband,” at CVS to get my flu shot…”I told my husband he needs to get his flu shot,” at catering events to the guests…”Oh, congratulations…I just got married to my husband.”  People probably think I’m crazy!  Why does this girl keep talking about her husband?  The other week I worked a wedding and I even told the florist how much my husband loves air plants…emphasis on husband and loves (that’s an entire other story).  Well score!…he gave me a handful of small air plants and a really huge air plant as well.  Best wife ever!  Side note – if you want to learn about air plants or really any plant for that matter, ask Nick…our apartment is like a small horticulture center.  I give you permission to take a few of our plants.  Anyway, back to the full circle…in ONE MONTH Nick and I will go full circle as we take our honeymoon where it all started for us…South Africa.  Waka waka eh eh (cue sexy voice and vibrating hips)!

That’s right, Nick and I fly out of D.C. to Johannesburg on November 12^th.  Strangely enough, we will fly out where it all started just over 5 years ago; Nick and I flew out of D.C. as strangers in July of 2011.  After 18 hours of watching movies in sync, talking about beets, and sleeping/drooling on one another’s shoulder, we became inseparable and now this time we get to fly out of D.C. as a married couple.  It’s truly wonderful and crazy how things change.  When we started thinking of honeymoon destinations during wedding planning, we threw dozens of ideas out: pub-hopping in Ireland, an all-inclusive resort on an Island, backpacking through Europe…these were just a few of our ideas.  Each time we talked about our honeymoon though, we kept going back to Africa.  We thought about how neat it would be to go back to where it all started.  While we were lucky enough to have some of Nick’s host family and friends come out (thanks again for traveling so far!!), no one from my village was able to come and not everyone from Nick’s was able to make it.  Eventually we decided there was no other place to celebrate our recent marriage.  Despite the rather long flight, it couldn’t be a better choice and we couldn’t be more excited…we get to see everyone from our time in South Africa again, we get to explore some new parts of Africa, and we get to experience summer as it begins getting cold here...hellooooo tan!

During our African honeymoon (check out pictures on Instagram with #DipDownToAfrica and look for a blog post afterwards) we will spend our first week in South Africa.  We are going to spend a few days jika-jikaing in my village, a few days catching up in Nick’s village, and a day or two in Joburg/Pretoria to visit with our third host family – Sue and Eddie Beddy and family.  We cannot wait to reconnect with our host families, our villages, and our schools.  I personally cannot wait to reconnect with magwinya (fat cakes) and South African Coca Cola!  Nick cannot wait to reconnect with cool time and mayo in the taxi rank.  Following our week in South Africa, we are spending a week in Madagascar…figured we had to spoil ourselves a little bit for our honeymoon.  Nick and I had always wanted to travel to Madagascar while we were in South Africa, but on the Peace Corps stipend, couldn’t quite swing it (heck, I couldn't swing buying chocolate!).  We will be taking a week’s guided tour which includes checking out different species of lemurs, frogs, chameleons, and birds; hiking; and enjoying the delicacies (specifically vanilla!) the country has to offer.  We are beyond excited!

Now, as many of you know, Nick and I both worked with the schools in our villages.  We are both eager to see how are projects are progressing and to talk to the teachers and students there.  In addition, we are looking forward to bringing them some much needed school supplies.  On our honeymoon, we will be taking two large suitcases with us…one full of clothes and other necessities for our trip (mainly bug spray and sunscreen), the other jam packed with items for our families, friends, and schools.  If you happen to have any school supplies lying around or anything else you’d like to get rid of, we would be more than happy to take those items off of your hands.  As my blogs showed during my time in the Peace Corps, both of our schools and our villages were in need of many things.  While we can’t very well pack desks or computers in our luggage, we can bring some smaller items.  Please feel free to let either Nick or me know if you would like us to take something over, and maybe in our empty suitcase back, we will have something for you from our travels! :)

Okay, that’s all for now…better go brush up on my Sepedi and Xitsonga…it’s a bit rusty.  I should probably tell my husband to practice as well!

Le rata,

Meg

Na mi tsundzuka

Na mi tsundzuka eAfrika Dzonga...I miss you South Africa...

It has been just over a year since my return to the states from the experience of a lifetime...the Peace Corps in South Africa.    I figured this was a fitting time to write a blog post, commemorating my year back home.  I must admit, my writing feels a bit rusty, so bear with me dear readers.

Not a day goes by that I don't think about my two years in South Africa.  I have been thinking of my time there more recently, in disbelief that it has already been a year since I landed in Philly, greeted by my family and friends.  

A year later and there are so many things that I miss about South Africa...the people, my host families, my friends, my fellow PCVs (now RPCVs), the learners, my counterparts, the culture, the beautiful sunrises and sunsets, the joy in a short conversation about the weather, the community where everyone knows your name, the crazy long road races, the diversity, even the goats and the cows passing by on my way to school.  The list goes on and on.  I am lucky that I have Nick as well as other RPCVs to look back and discuss our time and memories with.  We laugh when we think back to our different pit toilets, we sweat just thinking about how hot it would become in the months of December and January, and we become quite nostalgic when we talk about our host families and counterparts.  Our conversations and our reminiscing keeps everything more alive rather than making it all feel like a wonderful, distant dream.  Still, I wish that the time hadn't gone so quickly.  I wish I had known how short two years truly is.  In addition to these conversations, I am also quite fortunate for technology.  Apps like "Whatsapp," Skype, and Facebook allow me to communicate with my South African family and friends on a regular basis.  I am able to keep up with them and see how they are doing.  While it is not the same as sharing a meal of pap, gravy, and cold drink, it is something and for that, I am grateful.  

So, what have I been up to this past year?  How is life in America different?

For one thing, I love that I can see my family fairly often.  Although I am in a different state than they are, it doesn't take a day in an airplane to see them.  Rather, it's a short trip.  I get to enjoy holidays and family gatherings with them, which is amazing.  I get to be present for new additions to the family and I am able to have phone conversations with them without worrying about when my airtime is going to run out.  

Some family highlights this year...This May my older sister Kim got married.  It was so nice to be a part of her and Jim's special day.  In July, my older sister Jeannine welcomed Caroline to the family, making Ben an older brother.  She decided to join us right before Nick and I hit the road, which we appreciated.  Nothing like an early morning hospital visit and breaking visiting hours!  Now that I'm home, I get to get my butt kicked by Erny on runs and I was able to run the Broadstreet Run with both her and Pammycakes.    

I also love the fact that I can look nice and don't have to wear moo-moos.  While I believe Nick when he says he doesn't care if I wear makeup or not, it is still a good feeling to look pretty, which is much easier here with showers, hairdryers, and other current day amenities.  In addition, I don't have to worry about a 6+ hour taxi ride to see him where I have been sweating profusely and drooling on my backpack.  Rather, I have a much shorter, air-conditioned commute.  

Food shopping is now enjoyable.  I don't have to worry about the number of bags that I come out with, since they all fit comfortably into my car rather than stacked upon my lap and scattered throughout the taxi.  I can now buy one of my favorite foods and fit it in my freezer...ice cream!  My grocery store is a walk away rather than a 45 minute taxi ride away.  Despite the proximity, I still drive...

Teaching is also quite different.  I am starting my second year at Northern soon, and I feel blessed to be teaching where I am.  Not only does the school have qualified, dedicated, and friendly teachers and staff, but it also has everything available to be an effective teacher.  I have working technology and air-conditioning, I have books and paper, I have pencils and pens.  I have time to collaborate with the other teachers and we have professional development on a regular basis.  If I need anything, all I need to do is ask, and I have it the next day.  This is much easier than requesting it from the states and having it show up weeks later in the mail if I'm lucky it wasn't "lost" in transit (thank you Marcy for all you did for us and our kids while we were away).  Northern is a well run school where my students and I can be successful.  Sometimes I wish my current students could see the village schools in South Africa so that they could realize just how fortunate they are.  Since they can't, I share tidbits of my experience so they can be more globally aware.  While in South Africa I primarily taught grades 6, 7, and adults in the village, I teach senior English at Northern.

Running is a lot different as well.  Don't get me wrong, I still put one foot in front of the other.  Form hasn't changed drastically.  However, I feel much more comfortable going out for a run.  It isn't looked at as strange.  There is no real fear for my safety and there are tons of other runners in the area.  

Some running highlights for the year: This year I ran the Greensboro Half Marathon in October, the Philadelphia Marathon in November and the Boston Marathon in April.  All are amazing races and I'm so glad to have participated in them.  It was nice to be back in Boston, my home for four years.  I was able to catch up with a lot of friends from college as well as friends from the Peace Corps and participate in one of the most emotional races I've ever ran.  In addition to my own running, I am coaching both Cross Country and Track, so running is now a part of my job...not too shabby.  

Unlike South Africa, sadly, I don't know my neighbors.  It is not the tight-knit village community I lived in for two years, which I miss immensely.  I haven't been given a dozen bananas at the end of the day or a handful of grapefruits just because (one other thing I miss...the abundance of good and cheap fruit).  The local kids don't yell "Naledi!" when I come home.  I'll have a friendly conversation in passing when I see my neighbor, but that's about it.

Sometimes I find myself drifting back into my pre-Peace Corps mentality.  Just a few months ago, my faithful Volkswagen beetle died on my way to a catering event.  You would have thought the world had ended with my reaction.  I'm so thankful with what my Mom said.  "Meghan, you have lived in the middle of nowhere, in a South African village.  You can handle this."  She was so right and she brought me back to reality.  No one was hurt, it was just a car, and I could handle it.  I had spent two years riding in questionable khombis with hangers for doors and getting to places in the back of a pick-up truck.  I did end up having to get a new car which worked out a'ok.  I guess everything is situational.  When you are without, you learn to be without so many things: running water, air-conditioning, reliable transportation.  When you are in a place where you learn to depend on these things, however, you find that you "can't" live without.  I try my hardest to remind myself just how lucky I am and how I have more "with's" than "withouts."

Not many people are given the experience that I was.  The experience to travel halfway across the world, immerse themselves into a different culture and live, and (hopefully) make a difference for two years.  When I become nostalgic or sad that my time in South Africa is over, I remind myself that at least I had the time.  I was able to be a PCV, which changed my life forever.  Not only did I meet Nick, the love of my life, but I met countless other people who will stay with me forever.  I was able to accomplish quite a few things during my time in Lekgwareng Village and I am quite proud of that. I still believe that South Africa did more for me than I did for it, which I think is true for a lot of PCVs.  South Africa made me into a stronger individual and my experience there has helped me in my transition back to America.  The transition back wasn't always easy, but I am very glad to be back in the states.

Nick and I have already started saving so that we can visit in the next few years.  As much as I miss South Africa and all of the people I met there, I know that I will see them soon enough, which makes me happy.  

Thanks for taking the time to read about my experiences in and out of South Africa over the past few years.  I hope you've enjoyed reading about them as much as I enjoyed my time as a PCV.

Until next time,
Meg

Mi famba kahle Tata Madiba

What is a hero?  

This is the question I have asked my students to condsider and reflect on over the past few weeks.  Courageous, brave, selfless, helpful, and strong were just a few of the responses I received as we began reading literature across time, looking at different heroes throughout our readings.  Beowulf, a knight in shining armor,  Sir Gawain and the green knight, and King Arthur are a few of the characters we have been and will be reviewing to determine whether or not they fit the definition of a hero.  Are these men glorified?  Are they on some type of a quest or a journey?  Are they ethical?  Are they strong? 

When we started our unit, I asked my students to write a journal on their own hero.  They could write about someone in their lives or choose to write about a current superhero.  What makes him or her a hero?  What qualities does this person embody that fits the definition of a hero?  If the person is real, how has he or she impacted you?  Some chose to write about Martin Luther King.  Others chose to write about Superman.  Still, others wrote about their parents, their aunts and uncles, or their grandparents.  

It struck me as coincidental that as we began our new unit on heroes one of the greatest men of all time passed away.  On December 5th, 2013, the world lost a wonderful person, an incredible inspiration, the father to a nation, Nelson Mandela.  Tata Madiba, Father to South Africa, had been sick for some time.  I am surprised he lasted as long as he did, and we are all blessed to have had him around for 95 years.          

Here, I write my own journal.  Nelson Mandela is a hero.  There is no doubt in my mind on that.  I won't go into too many details on Mandela's past.  If you have read his "A Long Walk to Freedom," you know that Nelson Mandela served 27 years in prison on Robben Island for trying to fight against the Apartheid.  The Apartheid, the system of racial segregation in South Africa, led to racism, poverty, and racial inequality across the country.  Due to Mandela's opposition to the Apartheid and his attempts to sabotage the Apartheid government, he was arrested.  He spent much of his life in a single cell, adorned only with the bare minimum: a place to sleep.

In 1990, Mandela was freed and in 1994, became South Africa's first black president.  His efforts focused on reconciliation of the nation.  Through sports and collaboration with other powerful individuals, Nelson Mandela was able to succeed in many of his efforts, such as gaining back land for those who had lost theirs during the Apartheid.  He was able to bring the country closer together after such an onerous time.  He gave hope to a country and to people after such a dark time in South Africa's history.

Does South Africa still have a long way to go?  Yes.  During my time in South Africa, I was often shocked by the racism I witnessed.  I was constantly singled out because of the color of my skin, assumed to have money because I was a "mulungu," a "lekgoa."  I was sometimes sickened by the courtesies I received and others didn't because of my white color.  I was often saddened by the extreme poverty, the extreme hunger I saw.  Young children with distended stomachs because of malnutrition. Pap eaten day after day, meal after meal because of necessity.  Families forced to sleep on blankets because there was not enough money for beds.  I was often discouraged by the racial inequality in the country.  Mansions and RDP houses within mere kilometers of each other.  

Despite all of this, it could be much, much worse.  Without men like Mandela, South Africa could be years behind where it is today.  South Africa has hope because of Mandela.  Places like Cape Town, Pretoria, and Durban make it apparent that South Africa is headed in the right direction.  There is first world in South Africa.  Sure, South Africa has a way to go.  There is still great economic disparity.  But, if it weren't for what Nelson Mandela started in 1994, South Africa would be in a much different, and much worse place than it is today.  Thanks to Mandela, South Africa is en route to a place without racism, without poverty, without racial inequality.  

This will not happen without hard work.  The country owes it to Tata Madiba to continue to work towards his vision of a better and reconciled country.  The country needs to embrace differences and embrace the beauty that exists in the truly rainbow nation it is.  The country needs to embrace the 11 national languages and cultures rather than let such differences continue to be a divider.  The country owes it to Nelson Mandela to let him rest in peace with the knowledge that his children will continue to make South Africa the beautiful country it is.

Is Mandela glorified?  Yes.  Not only do the people of South Africa love and worship Mandela, but people all around the world recognize his greatness and all he has done.  Every year, on his birthday, on July 18th, South Africa celebrates "Mandela Day."  My schools always celebrated Mandela Day by doing good deeds for others and teaching what Mandela did for the country.  Songs were sung, dances were performed, and plays were created all in honor of Tata Madiba.  Mandela was honored for all he did with recognition up to and including the Nobel Peace Prize.  Is Mandela or was Mandela on a quest, a journey?  Yes.  Mandela wanted reconciliation and an end to the Apartheid Regime.  He accomplished this and his dream still continues today.  Is Mandela ethical?  Without a doubt.  Mandela could have come out of his time on Robben Island angry and with revenge.  He didn't.  He was moral and kind.  He did all he could for the good of the country.  Not just for a certain group of people, but for everyone.  For ALL of his children.  Is Mandela strong?  Mandela proved his strength through a long life full of good deeds and mental strength throughout his 27 years on Robben Island.

Thanks for all you did Tata Madiba.  Now, go well.  Rest well.  Mi famba kahle Tata Madiba.

Le rata,
Meg 

Back on your Feet

6:30 am.  Freezing cold.  Coffees in hand.  About to open the door.  Then the phone rings.  "Mom, I'll call you right back."  "Honey, everything is okay."  How that phrase still exists, I'll never understand. It only causes us alarm, immediate worry.  If everything was truly okay, why would someone say that?  "What is it?"  "Erin...she's been hit by a car."  Tears fall.  Throat closes.  Stomach clenches.  Panic.  My sister, my best friend.  But...everything is okay.  It had to be.  It was.  Thank God.

Runners seem to have this idea that they are unstoppable.  I know I do.  Ask one of my best friends, my running buddy, Katie.  I used to dodge cars in Boston like it was my job.  Nothing can be wrong on a crisp morning.  Just you, your sneakers, and maybe a running companion.  Nothing can ruin that.  Or, so I used to think.  Following Erin's accident, I've been more aware.  More aware that there are other things out there.  Cars to watch out for.  Deer to share the path with.  Bikers to dodge.  Enjoy the sound of your breath, enjoy the pounding of your heart, enjoy the crunch of the leaves as your feet make contact.  At the same time, be aware of your surroundings.  Be aware that, unfortunately, you aren't invincible.  

Life could have changed in an instant.  Luckily, it didn't.  I still have my red-headed, stubborn right hand lady.  My sister, my best friend from childhood.  The girl who I sang lullabies to, poor kid.  No wonder she was always crying.  The girl I shared clothes with through high school whether she knew it or not.  The young woman I share all of my secrets and hopes with.  One of my favorite people to share runs with.  My person.  I thank God everyday she's okay.  That we're okay.  

I've always been somewhat stubborn.  I don't think I'm terribly stubborn, but I know I can be sometimes.  I'd like to think this isn't a terrible trait, and that I passed this characteristic onto my sister.  When she told me she had the goal of running by December 1st, I stifled my disbelief.  No way! I thought.  When I saw her in mid-October she could barely walk from one store to the next.  Nick and I had to laugh when she hobbled into Panera for lunch.  Then, one day she calls and tells me she walked for 45 minutes.  Great progress.  Nothing in comparison to the 3 miles she ran two days later.  Incredible.  No one would stop her.  No one would take her off of her feet, or take away from her, our, greatest passion.  Running.  

Erin's accident occurred when she was training for the Philadelphia Marathon.  As our training progressed and times, miles, and mile splits were compared, I was sure she'd cream me when the day came.  While it was unfortunate we didn't have that chance, she blew everyone's minds as well as the half marathon field finishing in an impressive time.  I have no doubt she would have kicked my butt had she run the full.  Who has a terrible accident and can still do a half faster than most people who have trained without interruption for 8+ weeks?  In addition to doing her half, Erin found me at mile 25 and ran into the finish with me.  I'm pretty certain I resembled her hobble into Panera just a month earlier towards the end.  While my grumpiness and fatigue may have come across otherwise, I couldn't have been happier having her run in with me.  As the crowd cheered, "Go, Erin!" towards the finish line, I realized she was the true winner, the true champion.  I can't wait to run a full with her, giving her the chance to beat me.  I'm hopeful my own stubbornness and competitive nature won't allow her to beat me, but we'll see.  We'll see come April as we run Boston, side by side, step by step, stride by stride.

When life knocks you down, you can't stay down.  You've got to get back on your feet.  You've got to prove to yourself that you can do it, if you truly set your mind to it.  No one can tell you no except for yourself.  Never say never.  Stay stubborn.  Get back on your feet, no matter how bad it may seem.  

Meg :)

--

Meghan K. Downey
B.S. English Education, Boston University

Northern Guilford High School:

English Teacher

Assistant Cross Country Coach

Was it all just a Dream?

As I sip on my steaming pumpkin spice latte, taking in the smell of the crisp fall weather on an October morning, I think to myself, “Was it all just a dream?”  As I drive to school in my beloved Babs, a short commute of just 15 minutes away, stopping for busses and stoplights, I think to myself, “Was it all just a dream?”  As I key into my own classroom filled with bright color, decorations and technology, and prepare for the day ahead, I think to myself, “Was it all just a dream?”  Then, it all comes back.  The longing for a South African sunset at the end of a long day.  The dread of dusting my rondavel yet again.  The sweaty, cramped, and seemingly endless taxi rides to see Nick.  It was not all a dream.  I am so thankful that it was not just a dream.  

After being stopped by airport security to inspect my grass broom and my mat, both gifts from Maggie, my host mother in South Africa, the man at Agriculture asked if I had been in contact with any cattle during my time in South Africa.  I stifled my laughter as well as my tears, thinking of all of the cows I passed on my way to school on a daily basis, and told the man I had never been in “direct” contact with any cattle.  Sure there were a few close calls, but my neighbors always saved me.  I never stopped and pet the cows, that's for sure.  My family was just a few minutes away, right through the doors after customs, and I couldn’t wait much longer to see them.  I really did not want to discuss cattle.  After all, it had been over two years and then about 20 hours.  It had been a long trip home, and I was ready to see everyone who made home home.  

The milkshakes at Nifty’s were sweet; the hello’s even sweeter.  It was like I never left, like I had just been there.  I’ll never forget passing through the doors at the airport, being welcomed by my loved ones.  Tears were shed, pictures were taken, grass brooms and mats questioned.  As I chowed down on my first American meal, sipping the extra-thick chocolate shake and savoring the spicy cheese chicken nuggets, I couldn’t help but reflect on how lucky I was.  My family as well as Chibby, my best friend, had all come to welcome me home.  This may have been the best day ever.  All of these people were so happy I was home.  I was so happy to be home.  

Since arriving back to the states, I’ve been asked a few times about how the transition back has been.  “Has it been difficult?”  I always respond that clean water from a tap, a Dunks AND a Starbucks down the street, and hot showers aren’t hard commodities to return to.  Add family, friends, and running trails, and I’m on Cloud 9.  However, there are days that are difficult, that I really miss my life in South Africa.  While I can’t say I miss the constant stares, the blazing temperatures, or the cramped kombi rides, the aspects of life as a PCV in South Africa that I do miss are numerous.  I miss the people: my host family, my friends, and my colleagues.  I miss the craziness that eventually became normalcy: the dancing Gogo’s, the roosters on my roof, and the kids petting Nick’s arm hair.  I miss the simplicity: taking the time to talk to people and really getting to know them, enjoying the small celebrations in life, and eating with your hands.  I miss all of the small stuff that I never really appreciated while I was there.  I miss my stoven.  I miss my bucket bath.  I miss my broken wardrobe.  Most of all, I miss the sound of my kids’ laughter as they played games with rocks in the street.  I miss the shouts of “sesi Naledi!!” as I would run past them.

Don’t get me wrong, I am extremely happy to be back in the states.  I love being able to pick up the phone and call my family and friends whenever the mood strikes.  My parents and siblings might get annoyed with my 2+ phone calls a day, but deep down, I think they really enjoy it.  I love being able to spend more time with Nick and not having to see him after a 6+ hour sweaty taxi ride.  I love the conveniences we are blessed to have.  All of these things I appreciate so much more.

Sometimes I worry that my time in South Africa will become a dream, a distant memory.  I’m hopeful that this will not happen.  Nick and I have each other to talk about our time in South Africa.  We also have our other fellow RPCV’s.  With the wonders of whatsapp, Facebook, and Skype, I’m able to speak to my family and friends back in South Africa.  More than anything, South Africa will not become a dream because I came back a different person than when I left for South Africa.  While I may have left South Africa, South Africa will never leave me.

As far as how I’m doing, I’m loving life.  I love my teaching job as well as my coaching job.  Both my students and my colleagues make my 12+ hour days go quickly.  I'm running and shopping at JCrew - life is good.  I feel blessed to be where I am and to have the opportunities I have.  I feel so lucky to have had the chance to go to South Africa, and I can’t wait to return again.

For the meantime, don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten about the blog.  I’ll keep writing, I promise.  I’ll leave you with a short story that made me realize South Africa will never just be a dream.  I asked a colleague of mine how she was doing.  Her response took me aback when she said, “I’m here.”  In South Africa, you never say, “I’m great” or “I’m okay.”  The literal translation of “re hona” is “I’m here.”  

Readers, I’m here.

Lots of love,
Still and Always Naledi

It's Not Goodbye...It's I'll See You Later

“Tears are the noble language of eyes, and when true love of words is destitute. The eye by tears speak, while the tongue is mute.”
― Robert Herrick

A little over two years ago, I wrote my first blog post.  It was right before I left for staging in D.C. and right after I had said the majority of my goodbyes.  In it, I wrote that “saying goodbye is never an easy thing.”  I still stand by this statement, maybe even more so now than before.  A little over two years ago, the train conductor, a total stranger, performed the first of many acts of Ubuntu that I would experience over the next two years.  Seeing our tears and prolonged hugs, he allowed my parents to take me down to my train where we would need to part as I started my journey to South Africa...

 

Two years later…My Peace Corps Service has been one of the most incredible, life changing experiences.  I’ve met people who will stay with me forever.  I’ve learned more about teaching and more about myself than I ever thought possible.  I’ve been given the opportunity to travel to some of the most beautiful places in South Africa.  I can’t believe that it is over.  There were tough times and days that I never thought it was going to end, sure, but the good times definitely outweighed them.  I never imagined that this part of my service would be the hardest…saying my goodbyes.  Saying goodbye to my village and my schools was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to do.  Two years ago, we were strangers.  Now we are sisters, neighbors, friends, colleagues, family.  Everyone I’ve grown to come to know and love I’ve had to say my farewells to.   These are the people who took me into their community, and made me a part of them.  They are, and always will be a part of me.  I am forever grateful.  

You know, it’s interesting how things always seem to come full circle.  Over the school holiday in July, Nick and I traveled to our PST training site to say farewell to our host families from our first two months in country.  We both wanted to see the people who took us in from the very beginning once more before setting off for America.  During my weekend with my host family I realized how far I have come in just two years.  Silly things like not having toilet paper didn’t bother me anymore – use newspaper.  Situations I used to find awkward weren’t.  I didn’t mind writing to my host family’s church thanking them for all they had done for me, because I knew it meant a lot to my host mother.  I even found it humorous as the kids gawked over Nick’s arm hair.  I couldn’t have asked for a better weekend.  I spent the first day with my host niece and nephew trying to keep them occupied with playing cards and drawing (back to the days of babysitting), the first evening eating dinner and watching “Teen Mom” with my host sisters telling them I hope I don’t ever see them on the show, the next day with the entire family watching my host brother’s wedding video (albeit for an entire 24 hours), and the rest of the time just reminiscing on my first days and weeks in South Africa.  Tears sprang to my eyes as I noticed the enlarged picture of the Charles River framed on their wall – “Boston University, U.S.A.” they had typed.  More tears came when looking at my host brother’s wedding album and wedding video where I saw Nick and I highlighted in both more than once.  These people have become my family and being with them was so nice.  I’ve realized that I’ll always be a part of their family as they will be mine no matter the time or the distance.

The last week in my village, I tried to soak up everything I could.  I seemed to cry at the slightest thing as I realized I only had days left in what had become my home, my community during my time here.  I tried to memorize the sunset as I washed my dishes.  I tried to really feel the ground beneath my feet as I did my final runs in the village.  I tried to listen to the roosters and donkeys just once more…they made sure they were heard at every hour between 10pm and 6am.  

As I packed up my rondavel and said goodbye to a lot of my things (I can’t get over how much stuff I accumulated during my time here!), I also said goodbye to my 8-legged roommates.  I said goodbye to my faithful pee bucket and my bucket bath.  I’m hopeful that I’ll have a toilet and a shower in America.  I said goodbye to the dust in my room and my handmade book shelf.  I said goodbye to my lifesaving fan and my fridge that was held together by Band-Aids.  Daddy long-legs and company, I’m sorry to say, I won’t miss you too much.  Thank you for staying on my walls and never climbing into my bed…at least not that I know of. 

The toughest goodbyes came on the day that I left my village.  Just yesterday, I said goodbye to my village and my two schools, Lekgwareng Primary and Ndzhovela Primary.  Tears flowed like a faucet as I hugged my colleagues, my host family, my neighbors, my best friends, and my students.  Tears flowed as I gave Rhulani one last kiss and hug, as she looked on confused by the scene of departure around her.  Tears even flowed as I pet Jack, my faithful running companion one last time.  It was the first time in my stay here that I saw tears flow from the people in my village which made me cry all the more.  I was lucky to have Sue and Eddie (two more people I do not want to say goodbye to), two of the kindest human beings I know, who were incredibly thoughtful to travel to my village, see where my home was, and take me to Pretoria for all of my closing appointments.  Things would have been much more emotional, and much, much more uncomfortable, had I had to cram into a taxi for 6+ hours following my farewells.

As I’ve said my goodbyes, I’ve reflected quite a lot on my time here.  In our Peace Corps “life-cycle charts,” it explains that feelings of uncertainty will arise during this time.  This and many other emotions have come up over the past few weeks.  I’m on the emotional roller coaster – excitement, sadness, uncertainty, nervousness, stress, worry.  You name it; I’m sure I’ve felt it or will.  I wonder, have I done enough during my time here?  Could I have done more?  When I signed up for the Peace Corps and when I first met my community and schools, I had grandiose visions, as do many incoming volunteers.  I was going to change the school system here and turn everything around completely.  I was going to move mountains if it killed me.  Everyone was going to like me and become motivated.  If only I had magical powers and a wand…These expectations soon changed and I, as well as my goals, became more realistic.  I’d do what I could and I’d help who wanted help.  A few people helped me as I came to terms with my readjusted vision.  I am only one person, after all.  I’d like to think I’ve done some good in my time here.  Among my proudest accomplishments include the relationships I’ve formed with my host family and other members of the village, the teachers and students I’ve helped, the Library I helped to create, the Scouts Troop I established, the camps I held for my kids, and the other volunteers I’ve helped to train.  Can I go home happy with this?  Yes.  Is there still work to do?  Yes.  But, it’s time to pass the baton.

More than anything and something I never really expected when I signed up to do Peace Corps, I think I have gained the most from my time here.   I’ve grown a lot since I first stepped off of the airplane in Joburg.  I’ve met amazing people who will stay with me forever: other PCV’s, people I’ve worked with, people in my community.  I’ve learned two different languages and I’ve become conversational in both.  I’ve learned about different cultures, and I’ve had the opportunity to become a part of a culture and a new community.  I’ve eaten with my hands and I’ve gone termite picking (those things bite!).  I’ve eaten bugs and worms and I’ve become a rather good cook so I don’t need to eat them on a regular basis.  I’ve learned kindness like no other, when someone without floors or beds gives you your favorite fruit just because they know you like it.  I’ve learned what it means to be humble.  I’ve found that it’s much better to give than to receive.  I’ve learned so much about myself and the world around me.  I’ve had the chance to run into a South African sunrise and to read a book while watching a South African sunset.  I’ve had kids run up to me shouting my name just because they’re excited to see me; I’ll never forget “Meghanee!!”.  If that doesn’t bring a smile to your face, I don’t know what will.  I’ve learned to appreciate the small things in life and the beauty of simplicity.  I’ve realized just how wonderful hot showers are and how I can’t wait to take one every day.   I’ve realized just how much I love my family and friends, and how I can’t wait to be with them again and only a drive away (7 hours isn’t too bad).  I’ve realized that people are more alike than different, and that if we look to the similarities rather than the differences, we’d be much better off.  I’ve learned how blessed I am with the family and country I was born into.  Being a female in America is more than I could have ever asked for.  Top that off with a great education system and a really good government (go Obama!); I’d say I couldn’t be any luckier.  I’ve gained lifelong friends both through the Peace Corps and my community.  Heck, I’ve met the love of my life.  I made out pretty well.

 

Earlier this week, I was told terrible news.  My best friend Sylvia informed me that one of the grade 6 learners at my school, one of my Scouts, passed away in a car accident along with her Mother and her younger brother.  Shock, disbelief, anger, and sadness overcame me.  During my last few days in the village, this got me thinking quite a lot about “goodbyes.”  While some goodbyes are final and don’t even allow for a farewell, such as Mahlatse’s, others are not absolute.  My goodbyes, I hope, are not forever.  I’ve promised myself and those I love that I will come back in a few years once I’ve saved enough.  Sure I will miss my family and friends here, but I’ll be back.  It isn’t goodbye, really.  It’s just, I’ll see you later. 

If it’s okay with you, dear readers, I’d prefer not to end on a sad note.  This will not be a “goodbye” post.  During my time here, I’ve realized how much I enjoy writing.  It’s therapeutic and I’ve been told that some people enjoy reading what I write.  So, be excited, the blog will continue.  I hope the reading will continue too.  I’ll continue writing as I continue on with my adventures and as I re-integrate into American life.  I fly out of South Africa on July 20^th and land in Philadelphia on July 21^st.  I’ll be home for 2 weeks before packing the bug, my faithful Babs, and moving to North Carolina on August 5^th.  I will be teaching Grade 12 English and I couldn’t be more excited.  I’m hopeful that I won’t need to write anymore stories about pit latrines or bugs bigger than my hand, but I’m sure I’ll find some things to write about. 

Turn your radios up everyone, because it’s going to be a Party in the USA when I’m home and I can’t wait to give you all hugs and kisses, and say HELLO!

See you soon America.

Love,

Meg :)