Discomfort courtesy of US Peace Corps

Update:

We swore in as Peace Corps Volunteers on August 23rd. On the 24th we went to Mbabane and spent 2 days shopping, relaxing, and seeing the capital. (Do not be fooled by the word capital. Swaziland's capital is roughly the size of Westwood by UCLA minus the pretty buildings, nice stores, and restaurants. Let it also be known that movie theaters do not exist here and that KFC is the most posh restaurant I've seen!) Being that it was the first time I've been outside a hut after sunset, it was also the first time I went to a bar in Swaziland. Not surprisingly, the only females in there were PCVs (as drinking is highly frowned upon and females aren't supposed to drink in public). It is rumored that PC Swaziland has the highest number of volunteers converting to alcoholism as a result from what I'm assuming is the strict cultural barriers of this country. In comparing African PC posts to other posts worldwide, someone once joked, welcome to oppressive corps! On August 26th we moved to our permanent sites. I was incredibly blessed by the PC office to assist me in filling up my two 100 L water tanks and two 25 L buckets with water. I cannot thank them enough for that as water is and will be a challenge for me. Oddly enough with a truck, 4 Swazis, my 2 fellow volunteers, and myself, it took around 2 hours to fill up and transport the water back to my homestead. It should be incredibly interesting when I have to get my own water by means of a wheel barrel. Stories are sure to come. That being said, I have never been so stingy with water. I have also never found so many ways to recycle water. As disgusting as it may be- it works and it's saving me unnecessary trips to the borehole. That's all that matters. I can honestly say that I will never be the same. I'll never take water for granted, and I'll be careful as to not waste it. I can't help but feel ashamed on how I, and we- as Americans and as a Western Civilization- use and abuse water privileges. Because here, water is a blessing. It is never taken for granted.

I spent my first week at site decorating and organizing my little hut. I bought an amazing bed (which is a story in and of itself: I got completely lost on the drive back -all dirt roads look the same and street names/addresses do not exist, directions are given based on scenery and any possible landmark- so I ended up by another volunteer and had to tip the driver extra because of our multiple detours haha), I made screens out of mosquito nets, I made my own "closet", and created a small bathroom outfitted with a solar shower and a toilet (A.K.A. a pee bucket) because being outside at night is not safe. In any case I also have electricity!! God is good. There had to be one positive. The irony of it all is that I never cared about electricity. I would trade anything and everything for easy access to water. But I've always been a strong believer in the idea that everything happens for a reason. Even if it is only to teach me a lesson or make me grow stronger. So, though I have to work for the "necessities" in life, I will be stronger for it. This past weekend was one of the most rewarding and rejuvenating yet! I've been so bored at site that the nearest volunteer graciously agreed to meet up. Due to the friendly and talkative nature of Swazi people, I missed the one kumbi departing in her direction. It was a 2.5 hour power walk to her place, but it was also exactly what I needed. Fresh air, beautiful scenery, and simply time to get lost in my thoughts. Once I arrived there, we went on a 2 hour hike in the bush. It was truly Africa. No roads, homes, or people. Just dirt, sand, bushes, thorns, cows and warthogs! We found a dam, a river, and a dead cow. We also may have stumbled into South Africa. It's a possibility as there are no defined borderlines. I love it! To top the weekend off, the HhoHho warriors (or outcasts) Eric, Rob and I met up to celebrate Labor Day Weekend and Swaziland's Independence Day. This of course was just another excuse to hang out, since the cluster of people down south seem to have weekly reunions. It was also a chance to eat some meat. Plain, boiled chicken never tasted so delicious!! I've never appreciated meat more than I do now.

I've also been bored out of my mind- so after doing everything I could possibly think of, and sadly even after attempting to get water (only to find that the tap was not working that day), I finally opened up my PC books and handouts to read. While other PC posts have detailed job descriptions on exactly what they will be doing, with whom and where they will be working, PC Swazi is unique. Our job description is simply to work on "HIV prevention and impact mitigation". This is incredibly broad, allowing us the flexibility and freedom to choose what we want to do. But this is also nerve racking in the sense that the impact we will have on these people depend ENTIRELY upon our motivation, creativity, determination, will, and resources. As one of our handouts says, "it can pose a challenge to volunteers overwhelmed by the enormity of the problems they face." This leaves me here. I'm in the integration period, beginning to get to know my community in order to understand their needs and what ways I can best facilitate learning to them. It is said that roughly only 1/3 of volunteers make it through the entire 2 years here in Swaziland. If this statistic is true, it's probably due to the nature of the work we've entered into. Emotionally and mentally draining and in truth-it's daunting to even think about it. We've been warned multiple times that we will be affected by this disease. 1 in 4 people are infected with HIV- we are bound to feel the effects. Anyone, including our family, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances might pass and that takes a toll on the spirit. I'm nervous but determined! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Thank God- He's provided me with such a strong support system- both here and in the States.

To end on a humorous side:
"Are you thinking of raping a child today? Think twice of the consequences" - A billboard in the city. (Good message, bad that it needs to be advertised)
"Discomfort courtesy of US Peace Corps" -Brian
"Is it Rum? Whiskey? Water? No, it's ORS." -In a bar in Swazi
-AND most unfortunately: I am becoming a vegetarian: Neither by will nor by choice. Sadly, I also wish I was eating vegetables (in being a VEGEtarian). I haven't found anyone yet who grows them in my community and the heat kills any fresh produce I bring from the rare trips to town. Bread, corn and porridge (the staple foods) are not just bland, but it's the ONLY thing I eat. I'm looking forward to the day I can have meat: chicken, beef, goat, pig...anything. I'm getting so desperate. maybe one day I'll be blessed with a burger? Or pizza? Or to dream: seafood and sushi? Christmas can't come soon enough! "Discomfort courtesy of US Peace Corps" - I joined this willingly. haha.