I am starting to think about what comes after Peace Corps. While brushing up my résumé, I've noticed that a lot of what I have learned has shaped who I am at this moment, but isn't necessarily going to be shared with a future employer.
Here are ten things that I've learned in Guatemala that you won't find on my resume:
1. I've learned how to fix a toilet.
In fact, this is tonight's victory.
2. I've learned to be a victim. (Actually, to be honest, this is a work in progress.)
You can prepare yourself with the most information and the best intentions, but every once in a while you fall prey to something out of your control: weather, crime, or ignorance, just to name a few. Sometimes this stress requires me to take a nap, but I try to get out of bed the next day with as much guts and grace as I can muster, and I just put one foot in front of the other.
3. I've learned how to spend time by myself.
My own house is a little quieter than the house I grew up in. (Scratch that, it's a lot quieter. Six people is a lot of people in one house.) I've learned to eat by myself, to spend Friday nights by myself, to exercise by myself, and to work quietly by myself, just to name a few. This definitely isn't my favorite part of the Peace Corps experience, but I'm glad to know that I can be content all by myself.
4. I've learned how to disagree.
This is true of my experience with Peace Corps Volunteers and with Guatemalans. My 'Peace Corps World' can be very small. The people I work with are also my best friends. Peace Corps Volunteers come from all over the US and each Volunteer has their own set of values and reasons for being here. We don't always agree, but I've learned to play nice and to respect people even if I think some of their ideas are really stupid or they really irritate me some days.
As for my work with Guatemalans, sometimes all I can do is say my piece and sit back down. I like to think that even if I just feel like I'm banging my head against the wall, at least I make a tiny bit of noise while doing so. I am a guest in their country and must always act as such.
5. I've learned that relationships really are the best investment.
I'm lucky to be part of a group of Peace Corps Volunteers that is absolutely the best support system a girl could ask for. The investments I have made in friendship (via lengthy telephone calls, long bus rides to visit friends, and shared care packages) have seen unbelievable returns. I would not still be here if it weren't for all of the wonderful people I have met. They have saved me time and time again.
This is the lesson that I feel most certain I must bring back to my life in the U.S. of A. A career and the "real world" will certainly take it's toll, but I know that I must continue to invest in friendships because... well... they're the best.
6. I've learned how to say "Go F*** Your Mother" in Spanish.
Unfortunately, there are people in the world who deserve to hear it. Every once in a while, for the sake of self-preservation, you have to stop making excuses for other people and admit to yourself that maybe there are jerks in the world and there probably is nothing you can do about it. I thought that two years in the developing world would make me a softer, more patient person and while this is true in many ways, I've also learned to stand-up for myself.
7. I've remembered how much I love reading.
Maybe it's a result of all of that alone time, but I have really fallen in love with reading again. I've always liked reading, but before coming here it had been a while since I was totally transported by a good book. Every once in a while, I really don't want to be in Guatemala and there is no better way to escape than a good book. I don't think I have loved reading this much since staying up all night to finish The Little House on the Prairie.
8. I've developed a whole new appreciation for electricity.
... And it really sucks when you don't have it. Especially if you happen to be hosting a Christmas party. Candle-lit dinners lose their charm real fast.
9. I've learned that I really love Latin Pop.
Because, of course. Exhibit A: The better, Spanish version of Enrique Iglesias' Bailando.
As always, thank you to everyone who has learned these lessons alongside me or has been incredibly patient while I have been learning these lessons.
Good morning, how are you?
ReplyDeleteMy name is Emilio, I am a Spanish boy and I live in a town near to Madrid. I am a very interested person in knowing things so different as the culture, the way of life of the inhabitants of our planet, the fauna, the flora, and the landscapes of all the countries of the world etc. in summary, I am a person that enjoys traveling, learning and respecting people's diversity from all over the world.
I would love to travel and meet in person all the aspects above mentioned, but unfortunately as this is very expensive and my purchasing power is quite small, so I devised a way to travel with the imagination in every corner of our planet. A few years ago I started a collection of used stamps because through them, you can see pictures about fauna, flora, monuments, landscapes etc. from all the countries. As every day is more and more difficult to get stamps, some years ago I started a new collection in order to get traditional letters addressed to me in which my goal was to get at least 1 letter from each country in the world. This modest goal is feasible to reach in the most part of countries, but unfortunately, it is impossible to achieve in other various territories for several reasons, either because they are very small countries with very few population, either because they are countries at war, either because they are countries with extreme poverty or because for whatever reason the postal system is not functioning properly.
For all this, I would ask you one small favor:
Would you be so kind as to send me a letter by traditional mail from Guatemala? I understand perfectly that you think that your blog is not the appropriate place to ask this, and even, is very probably that you ignore my letter, but I would call your attention to the difficulty involved in getting a letter from that country, and also I don’t know anyone neither where to write in Guatemala in order to increase my collection. a letter for me is like a little souvenir, like if I have had visited that territory with my imagination and at same time, the arrival of the letters from a country is a sign of peace and normality and an original way to promote a country in the world. My postal address is the following one:
Emilio Fernandez Esteban
Avenida Juan de la Cierva, 44
28902 Getafe (Madrid)
Spain
If you wish, you can visit my blog www.cartasenmibuzon.blogspot.com where you can see the pictures of all the letters that I have received from whole World.
Finally, I would like to thank the attention given to this letter, and whether you can help me or not, I send my best wishes for peace, health and happiness for you, your family and all your dear beings.
Yours Sincerely
Emilio Fernandez