THe Other Side Of The Wall

July 3, 2007


I’ve had a couple really good days. Last night I went to my Uncle’s house for dinner. We had some great food and tried unsuccessfully to communicate. When I got there I greeted them in Azeri and told them my name and that I was from America, which is the extent other than a few random words of my language abilities. However, I think because I said a few words in Azeri they thought I could understand everything they were saying to me. When all they got were blank stares they tried to talk louder and slower. After still receiving blank stares we all had a good laugh. It really reminded me of my family when we had exchange students and of how our conversations went the same way, if they don’t understand just talk louder and then they’ll understand. It didn’t work then and I can attest that it still doesn’t work today.

What I really enjoyed though was that I accomplished literally not yet figuratively one of the reasons I joined Peace Corps. In all the different places I’ve traveled I’ve seen the outside of peoples worlds. You drive by in an air-conditioned bus at 60 mph and say “wow that looks like a dirty or hard place to live, how do people live like that.” But you never really see inside. The place I went to yesterday and where I live would look like that from a bus. The dirt streets are littered with garbage, animals picking through the trash for anything edible, and all these bare walls with modest homes inside them. However as I was sitting in one of the most beautiful clean courtyards surrounded by a picturesque fruit and vegetable garden I realized I was on the other side of the wall. I know I’m not even close to knowing these wonderful people and I look forward to that day. I am just glad I was cognitive enough to realize the moment. It’s amazing where your mind will take you when it’s not filled with mindless chatter.

Today we had our first cluster meeting. This is where all the Youth Development volunteers, three groups of five from different sites, come together. We learned a bit more of what we’ll be doing as YD Volunteers and I couldn’t be more excited. For the next 9 months we’ll be directing English-speaking clubs in an attempt to earn trust in our communities while we learn the language. During this time we will develop relationships to find where our skills can best be used. I’m really excited and optimistic about the potential for our program I could tell our permanent PC staff person responsible for YD really has her heart in the program.

I hope all is well at home,

Donny