Many people ask me what sorts of things I'm taking with me to Ecuador, an seemingly innocent question that I never know how to succintly answer. I usually just say "everything". That's because I have no clue where I'll be placed. It could be in the frigid Andes, where the temperature is 40 degrees every day. Or, it could be on the hot and muggy coast, where a cool day hovers around 80 degrees. Or in the jungle, with its ferocious rainy season. For all of the research I've done on the climate, there is still no way to see into the future to know what, exactly, to pack for. And what does the planning freak do when faced with the dark, scary Unknown? Bring everything, of course.
Things I am souped about bringing:
1. My Chacos
2. War and Peace
3. My scrapbook of loved ones which I will make THIS WEEK
Things I wish I could bring:
1. My dogs
2. Air conditioning
3. An unending supply of Chipotle. Like Mary Poppins' suitcase, which holds an unending supply of Chipotle burritos.
Things I should probably get but haven't yet:
1. Souvenirs for host family- always an awkward one. First off, DC souvenirs or MD souvenirs? Silver Spring is on the verge of each. We're the DC metropolitan area, but we're in MD. I'll probably bring them some Old Bay and something to do with the blue crab, which our state is obsessed with.
2. Fun games. I keep seeing Bananagrams on sale everywhere I go. The universe obviously is trying to tell me that this is essential to a successful PC experience.
3. A robe?
My bedroom currently looks like a chaotic maze of labels, bags, and clothes. Things are strewn everywhere...sandals, cardigans, plastic bags, big backpacking backpacks, and the trusty, beautiful blue Peace Corps invitation packet. I've gone to REI and gotten clothes that blow my mind with their technology: clothes that wick moisture, clothes that have UV Ray protection, wool that somehow keeps you cold when it's hot, and hot when it's cold (still scratching my head over how that works).
In true Andrea fashion, I've put off organizing the beast of packing in favor of playing GRE word games with the hose, seeing my friends and family, and figuring out how to scrapbook. This whole week will be fantastic and tiring, filled with good friends and delicious food (how I will miss thee, Guapos, Nava Thai, and the Vegetable Garden!). I have the last week with the girls this week. I'm going to miss their insatiable dog, discussing the latest MTV/Hunger Games gossip, being introduced to Youtube gems such as Rebecca Black's "Friday", and helping them navigate the very tough world of middle and elementary school. When I come back, Mags will be driving. How crazy.
Everything I feel now, I feel deeper. I appreciate the sun and the cool evening breeze. I laugh more deeply at jokes, and take more time to talk to friends. It may be unwise of me to be spending so much of this week with other people, but I want to celebrate and soak it all up before so that when I'm alone in a hut somewhere I can remember how good it really is here. Let the American good times roll until the drumbeat of Ecuador comes along and changes up the beat.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
bobby d. and packing woes
I do love this blog, I do. I just constantly forget about it. Either I start to type and one of the loveable dumb Golden Retrievers jumps up on my bed, or I get really into a Wire episode (which everyone should watch for its brilliance, but especially if you are from MD or know Baltimore...the local references are off the hook), or I'm out shopping. The theme of this week would be called: Neurotic Shoptime. Almost every day, I'm in and out of stores, or talking to the folks over at Backcountry. It's like this sickness, and the only cure is more shopping. I've been to Marshalls, to Forever 21, to REI. And I'm not a girl who loves shopping- the bright lights, unflattering dressing rooms, and long lines all make me cringe. But being as prepared as possible is all I care about at this point. I'm terrified I'll forget something important, like wool socks, and then me and my size 10 feet will have to wait months until they can be sent to me. So, my mind is constantly thinking about things like capris, Chacos, and hiking backpacks. Today I thrust myself away to help lay mulch with my mom and Del. The cool evening rain and the smell of the chicory grain, the dogs rolling around in the grass reminded me that there is beauty and ease everywhere, and that this shopping odyssey will be over soon.
Twelve. Days. Left. And there are only 12 minutes left in today, meaning that tomorrow, there will be 11 days left. It's crazy. I've been running around, trying to soak up as many people as possible in the shortest amount of time, to absorb as much of them as possible before I leave. I want to be as relaxed and focused on them as possible in this next week and a half, and not focused on packing, packing, packing. My goal is to be done with all the packing by Tuesday, and then chill out for a week.
Good news on the address front! I have an official address for the first three months of my training. It is...
PCT (short for Peace Corps Trainee) + My name
Cuerpo de Paz
Casilla 17-08-8624
Quito, Ecuador
South America
Mail takes 7-10 days to get there, so if you write something by Saturday and send it, it will get there by June 1st! I've largely abandoned snail mail in favor of the quickness of email, but I'm getting swept up in the romance of mailing and receiving letters. Also, you can only send padded envelopes, not boxes. So no wonderful American foodstuffs for the first few months. BUT, letters would be greeted with the utmost delight.
In other news, I just downloaded Bob Dylan's second record, "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan." Listening to this album is like having a spiritual revelation. You simply can't be stressed or distracted when good ole Bobby plays the harmonica and sings his poetry. People jone on him voice, but I think his 60s-voice, while not beautiful, is the most important thing in the world: utterly true.
From "Girl of the North Country":
"If you're traveling to the north country fair
Where the breeze hit heavy on the borderline
Remember me to the one who lives there
She was once a true love of mine."
until next time,
A
Twelve. Days. Left. And there are only 12 minutes left in today, meaning that tomorrow, there will be 11 days left. It's crazy. I've been running around, trying to soak up as many people as possible in the shortest amount of time, to absorb as much of them as possible before I leave. I want to be as relaxed and focused on them as possible in this next week and a half, and not focused on packing, packing, packing. My goal is to be done with all the packing by Tuesday, and then chill out for a week.
Good news on the address front! I have an official address for the first three months of my training. It is...
PCT (short for Peace Corps Trainee) + My name
Cuerpo de Paz
Casilla 17-08-8624
Quito, Ecuador
South America
Mail takes 7-10 days to get there, so if you write something by Saturday and send it, it will get there by June 1st! I've largely abandoned snail mail in favor of the quickness of email, but I'm getting swept up in the romance of mailing and receiving letters. Also, you can only send padded envelopes, not boxes. So no wonderful American foodstuffs for the first few months. BUT, letters would be greeted with the utmost delight.
In other news, I just downloaded Bob Dylan's second record, "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan." Listening to this album is like having a spiritual revelation. You simply can't be stressed or distracted when good ole Bobby plays the harmonica and sings his poetry. People jone on him voice, but I think his 60s-voice, while not beautiful, is the most important thing in the world: utterly true.
From "Girl of the North Country":
"If you're traveling to the north country fair
Where the breeze hit heavy on the borderline
Remember me to the one who lives there
She was once a true love of mine."
until next time,
A
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