"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes" -Marcel Proust

 The 1st week in my new home has been one full of new experiences and realizations.  It might seem like a strange thing to say after having lived in this country for over 2 months now, but I think the reality and the length of this commitment are really hitting me now.  Perhaps it's because this past week was the first time that I really had any mental space to process what I was undertaking.  Being in my home community and starting to meet people and connect with them feels good and also underscores that this is my home now.  Some of the experiences and realizations from this week:

Cultural differences: There are A LOT of cultural differences and I'm sure that I'll continue to talk about these in the weeks ahead.  But right now, the one that is at the fore is the interdependence of the community.  I've mentioned this before--how you really do need to interact with people in order to do things here (i.e. you can't just look online and figure out how to do things).  Never before in my life have I known so many people in a new neighborhood in the 1st week of living there.  People have been so kind and welcoming.  They keep an eye on me--many returned Peace Corps Volunteers talk about this as the "fishbowl" phenomenon.  Everyone watches you and knows what you're up to.  Example--yesterday I went into town in the early morning when I came back in the afternoon, one of the neighbors said "glad to see you're back."  This neighbor didn't actually see me leave, but everyone talks.  This is such a difference from what I was used to in Seattle--I think I could have been dead in my apartment for days before anyone noticed.  It's something to get used to, but all-in-all I find it a positive, particularly from a safety standpoint.  I'm also getting used to the "drop by" culture here.  Folks will just show up at your house and they stand outside the gate (it's locked) and will either call out "Amie" (grown-ups) or "Miss Amie" (littles).  At first, I thought I was imagining my name being called, LOL.  Then I realized someone was out there waiting for me!  Sometimes they just say a quick hi but other times they come up and we chat for a while on my balcony.  I learned a couple days ago that I am expected to reciprocate--when I pass by their house, I'm supposed to call out for them.  This one might take me a little longer to get used to...

Running is a great way to meet people: After a 5 week hiatus due to safety, I was able to get out and run again!  The reality is that the insanely steep hills mean that this is definitely a mix of run/walk but it felt so good to be starting my day this way again.  There are a fair number of people out and about when I'm out so I say "morning" or "bon jou" to everyone.  There are a fair number of women who go out and walk in the early morning and it's been great to meet them.  There is a group that goes out everyday at 5am, so when school starts I'll probably join them on all my non-running days.  

I am living in a rural community: Often described here as "living inland", my community is quite rural.  It is lovely and I like in a lot already--but it is the quietest place I have lived since I moved out of my mom and dad's home!  There isn't a lot to do here--I think once school is back in session there will be more things associated with the school.  I went to town a couple times this week--once on my own and then with my friend Alexis who is my nearest PCV neighbor.  I'm lucky that there is a bus that comes directly into my community from town (i.e. I only have to take 1 bus).  In trying to settle in to my house and go grocery shopping, I'm having to live off my Peace Corps living stipend, which means I really need to pay attention to how much I'm spending.  If I'm being honest, this part has given me a few moments of anxiety in the last week.  I know how much my rent is, but we don't know how much our water, utilities, etc. costs/month (don't ask me why) and so trying to budget is a little difficult.  The stores on this part of the island are much more limited in what they have compared to the other part of the island where I have been living since arrival.  There's also a lot of food that isn't available here or it is cost-prohibitive.  But rather than seeing that as an obstacle, I'm trying to look at it as a challenge--to find substitutions, to be more creative, to get inventive.  I've been thinking of (and making a list of, IYKYK) all the things I took for granted in the US--for example, being able to go into a store and buy something I needed.  Here I go to the store and cross my fingers--if they don't have it, I have to figure something else out.  But I think that is part of what makes this experience simultaneously hard AND amazing.  

So what is the take-away from this week?  As always, I was very intentional in choosing my opening quote--and that encapsulates where I am right now.  I am loving this voyage of discovery and moving through it with new eyes, an open mind, and open heart.  Even with the little bumps along the way, I am loving being here and thankful that I can be here.  Thank you for sharing in the voyage!  💗