Different people different reactions
I hate to admit it but when people see Peace Corps Jamaica
on my resume I think I had a two year vacation. I hope an agricultural survey
in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will counteract that perception.
While traveling to Belgium on my way to Africa I was shocked
when I introduced myself to a Peace Corps volunteer from West Africa and the
first thing she said was I was in the posh corps because I served in Jamaica.
Not a pause, not a smile, just straight up resentment.
In Belgium, our flight to Rwanda is delayed for a day due to
"mechanical issues", but the rumor is the airline baggage handlers
are on strike. All the passengers of the
plane were bused to a small hotel outside of Belgium- not a bad place to adjust
to the jet lag. While on the way to the hotel I introduced myself to another
Peace Corps volunteer who served in Rwanda. She was on her way back to
interview for a job there. She was a lot friendlier and seemed to be
indifferent about where I served.
The last and my favorite reaction to serving in Peace Corps
Jamaica was Dr Price's reaction. When
talking about Jamaica he actually said Jamaica was- I’m not sure exactly what
words he used but he basically said it was the one of the most difficult
countries he has worked in.
While at the hotel in Belgium I got into a dispute with a
guy from Rwanda about why Rwanda has been economically prosperous while the DRC
remains stuck in the quagmire of economic hardship. I’m not even in the DRC and
I’m already defending it.
While walking along the river outside our hotel in Belgium,
I met a development specialist on his way to Africa. After a few minutes of
small talk he revealed to me that he recently lost one of his American
employees in Africa. The tragic story was told by a man who was confident his
employee was performing noble work but his words could not fully express his
trepidation of experiencing another loss.
It’s summer but Belgium is COLD.
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