Uyaphi?

Uyaphi means "where are you going?" in Zulu. As time is ticking towards departure, I am increasingly being asked by friends, family, acquaintances, etc, where exactly I am going. In the spirit of full disclosure and to make it easier for everyone (myself included) to understand exactly where it is I am going I have included the following breakdown of it...

Map of Africa: South Africa is at the very bottom of Africa....it is bordered by Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique, and Swaziland. South Africa completely surrounds Lesotho. South Africa is about twice the size of Texas.





On the right, there is a map of South Africa alone. Limpopo, the place where the SA17 (my group) is rumored to be having training and permanent site placements, it at the top right-hand side. Kruger National Park is home to some really amazing animals, such as elephants and cheetahs, which can be viewed in a very natural environment...much more spectacular than the DC Zoo.

On the left is the Limpopo province. Mokopane, the location for where SA17 is supposedly going to train, is towards the center and bottom of the map. The temperature is supposed to be very very hot when we get there. I am using the words "supposedly" and "rumored" because I am not sure if this is exactly where we are going. I will not find out for another month or so. It is just hearsay from current SA16 volunteers.

The Peace Corps address where mail can be sent to me at any time, especially, before I have a permanent address is...

Christi Gibson, PCV
Peace Corps
P.O.Box 9536
Pretoria 0001
South Africa

As you can imagine...I am very excited! The countdown is on and there are only 64 more days left until staging and 67 until arrival in South Africa. It is funny how quickly word spreads around the VCU campus about anything unusual. Apparently graduating college early to move to a first/third world country and live on a volunteers salary in a land where you do not speak the language(s), have never tried the food, and are completely oblivious to the cultural norms and values, is unusual. I guess it has never really sounded the crazy to me...well, yet. The point is word has traveled fast and I am getting a lot of questions about why I am going, where I am going, who I am going with, when I am going, and what I am going to be doing there. Once I answer these questions, I get the same three responses just about every time. The first response, which is the one I get the most, goes something like this...

Person:"So are you going to have to like live in a hut."
Me:"Perhaps. It could be nice."
Person: "Well there are going to be bugs and outdoor toilets and not air conditioning."
Me:"Perhaps. It will be an experience, I am sure."
Person: (Face is pulled back into an awkward, forced smile with eyebrows raised and eye wide open.) "Well good luck to you. I could never do something like that.'

The second conversation, which is also the least numerous type, goes a little like this...

Person: "Africa, huh?"
Me: "Yep, South Africa. I am excited."
Person: "Wow, the Peace Corps. Good for you! You are gonna have a great experience."
Me: " Thank you. I hope so."

The third one, which I hear fairly often (generally from the older population), goes something like this...

Person: "Well what do you parents think about it."
Me: "They support me.They are going to miss me, but they want me to follow my dreams."
Person: "Well, it is dangerous over there."
Me: "Yes, there are dangers. There are also dangers here too."
Person: "You said you might be living alone."
Me: "Most likely, I will be with a family, but living alone is a possibility."
Person: "But you are a female....(sigh)"
Me: "I am aware of this, yes. I will try my best to be conscientious of my safety at all times."
Person: "Well, there are so many people here in America that need help. Help them first and then do what you feel like you want to do overseas."
Me: "Yes, there are many people here who need help, I do not deny that. However, this is just something I am called to do."
Person: "Well, if I was you parents I would not let you go."
Me: "Okay, well this was fun. Nice talking to you."

Those are the basic conversations I have had so far with almost anyone who has asked me. There have been a ton of people, mostly family and close friends, who have been incredibly supportive of this dream. Then there are the few indifferent people who are making polite conversation. However, there are always those few that feel the need to let me know that they believe I am making a big mistake and that I ought to stay here. I do not like to argue with these people because I am just wasting my breathe, just as they are wasting theirs. I have but one thing to say though...I am preparing to so some great things. I am preparing to meet some amazing people and work for a cause that I really believe in. I am preparing my mind, my body, and my spirit to be transformed entirely by this experience. I am preparing to have my world rocked, shaken, stirred, and turned upside down in order for me to gain a new perspective on life. So, please, bring on the criticism. The criticism and lack of support do not make me doubt my choice, rather, they make me more resolute. The criticism is preparing me for the much larger challenges I will soon face. So bring on the rain. It helps. And to those who continue to support this dream, I am so innumerably and unequivocally grateful for you. I hope that I am able to challenge and support you in reaching beyond what you think you can do while you strive to live the life you love.

On a less serious note....I bought Christmas gifts today...good ole' Black Friday. If anyone has a request...they had better get it in soon because I am wrapping gifts soon and not becoming a slave to holiday to-do lists that many people seem to have. This is my last Christmas in America for a few years and I plan to enjoy it...so get those orders in ladies and gents.