No Thanks, I'll Pass on the Sheep's Head...

So I spent the last week in what will soon be my home for two years. And I'm still having trouble finding the right words to describe this community. It is a small village nestled into the mountains (and when I say mountains I mean dirt mountains) that seems to run on it's own time. Everyone there is super nice and welcoming, but at the same time I can't help but think- shizer I'm gonna be all alone up here in one month.

So the biggest issue: no running water.

That's right, hug your Brita's and savor your fridge's that dispense water, because I have to walk across town to fill up on well water; to which I have to either bleach or boil just to use. So enjoy that ice cold glass of water that you're sipping on right now.

But in all seriousness, it won't be too bad when I get a routine and am able to figure something out. I hope. 

I am convinced that because I was probably the only person in our entire stage (around 35) that said I didn't mind the cold, they shipped me off to the mountains. Never mind the fact that the only thing I DID ask for was running water. Oh well, it's a challenge to overcome.

My second host family, that I will be staying with for the first month, are super sweet people. I have 5 sisters, ranging from 1-17 years old. A brother, Aunt, and my parents are helpful and anxious. It's their first time hosting a volunteer so everything I do is fascinating. And every sentence I say is hilarious- especially when I don't know what I'm saying. They find daily amusement in asking me questions and me not know the answer, or just not know what they said in general. But overall, they are very genuinely nice and helpful. They've also told me that whenever I don't want to eat something, just to let them know & they'll cook me eggs. This came in handy when sheep's head was served for lunch one day and then intestines the following night for dinner.

I got to hang out with the PCV that had spent her two years there, Mina. She was incredibly helpful and encouraging. She even let me confiscate A LOT of clothing, house amenities, food, etc. She introduced me to a lot of community members, helped me get familiar with the area, took me to get all my paperwork done and let me pick her brain about everything. Bless her soul, because without her, I probably would have had a mental breakdown.

There are some PCVs around me, so I'm not totally exiled in the mountains. All within a reasonable 30-45 minutes taxi ride away. Myself and the current volunteer I'm replacing did take a nice transit (which is a van taxi where they fit as many people as possible in it) ride up the mountain to the bigger town. Dad, now don't get  mad- but when the whole inside of the van is full on the inside, where's a girl to sit?? That's right, on the roof. Nice and spacious and with a great view, one can climb on up and sit on the roof for a chilly ride. Just make sure to hold on when going around the bends.

Before going up to my site I did meet some other PCVs that will be living around me, all of whom are very fun and more than willing to help us newbies figure things out and/or be a shoulder to complain to. It was nice to finally meet people who are out in the field actually doing something. Makes me feel like all this training might actually be put to use. That or I'll just have a sweet two year vacation.

Now I'm back at hub, exchanging stories with all my fellow trainees. Everyone seems to have enjoyed their site and is very excited to go out and start living. Which I agree. 

I'm sorry for no pictures, I actually didn't take any of my site. Figures. But I will be there for two years, so I'll get some up for you guys.

Oh yeah, PS. it snowed at my site after I left. Awesome.