I really wasn't expecting to write so soon after my last entry so how about a condensed version? Someone told me that they "want MORE bullet points." Ok, if that is what you really want.... nah just kidding. No one said that for reals. I am just saying that because I like BPs. They are so much easier and nicer for me and you guys won't have to hear about how "this was the moment I felt I belonged" or "I came out of that situation a better person." I am emotionally stagnant at this point but I promise you I will get to that point in the future. I realize there is a time for that type of self reflection and if I feel the need to share then I will gladly do so. As for now, I was just knee-deep in water so learn to deal. (please?) And on to why I was just knee-deep in water...
(also I mean for my sarcastic humor to have a hilarious twinge to it. Please don't take anything I say literally. I'm from the Pacific NW and that's how we do.)
I've been at site for 2 days.
It's Saturday.
It's 11:14pm.
I just got home.
I just got home from visiting my tambon (Namaipai) with my amazing field counterpart who I work with at the office. What were we doing visiting everyone so late? Well, about 7 of my 14 villages have flooded. Mine being one of them. Not all of the areas are completely underwater but it is getting close in most of the rest. If I step 5 feet from my room I will be swimming.
Here are a few interesting questions I thought about:
1. Weren't we supposed to have a lull in activity our first month? (not complaining; just find it funny)
2. Can't frogs and snakes find a better place to congregate than the road during a flood?
3. Why aren't any of the labels in the emergency response vehicle (like radio and emergency lights) changed to Thai?
The last one is pretty coincidental because of my degree and the fact that I speak English. Sounds like a Win-Win Situation to me. If was an odd feeling to be in a emergency response vehicle in a foreign land for once but I did feel like I had a purpose. Even though my technical Thai vocabulary is still in the toddler stage, everyone knows I have the mind of an adult with a background related to rural development and emergency management. If you are wondering, nobody was hurt. We just made a point to visit all of the villages and warn them of the dangers of the increase of rain, where the floods would hit, and who they could go to for help. For the houses that were already hit by the floods, we checked to make sure everyone was ok and had supplies. It seems that most people are pretty comfortable with where they are at even if they are standing in 1 foot of water. Being more family and community orientated does have its perks.
Other main points of interest:
- I, and 65 amazing people became Official Peace Corps Volunteers on March 21, 2011
- Sarcasm does not exist here
- I found this out after I told my counterpart (in Thai) that "I do not like fun"; when in fact I do like fun; very much in fact
- I have the unique ability to sleep soundly on a bus or in a pickup for more than 10 hours but still be able to wake for peeing and eating stops
And speaking of sleep I am off to bed and getting ready to see the damage in the light (both literally and figuratively). And please think about those who have been impacted by negative events this past month. If there is anything that I've learned since my short time of being here it is that language and distance mean little when it comes to compassion for humanity.
