In the end, it was Rimmel #260!

I lost a few nights sleep,tossing and turning, with the question of whether to stay or to go, looming in the back of my mind. In the end, the Peace Corps doctor and I  decide the best decision was to end my Peace Corps service a little early.

 
The ongoing stomach problems were a concern, but it was not that single event that determined the decision to go. It was not the starving, flea bitten dogs that always made me feel so sad. No, it was not the unending trash, dirt and poverty. It was not even living without running water or electricity. I got use to that after a while and even looked forward to talking to all my neighbors as we stood at the town water spigot waiting to fill our buckets with water.

 
The corruption at all levels made me crazy. I could not understand why I was the only person jumping up and down, yelling in English how unfair it was when a lady walked to the front of the long bank line I had been standing in for 32 minutes and offered the guard 66 cents and he lets her go next! The corruption made me mad, but not mad enough to leave.

 
It was not the overcrowded, broken down, taxi brousses that always made me pray all the way home. Crammed in the brousse like an animal, and then having to sit next to an animal, usually a chicken or duck for that night’s dinner. The isolation and loneliness were difficult to deal with, but I discovered new ways to stay busy and entertain myself.

 
In the end, the decision was made by Rimmel #260, Berry Rose, my favorite lipstick. After digging out the remnants of it for several weeks, I realized I only had a few weeks left before it was all gone. I thought, that is it! I can’t survive without my favorite lipstick.

 

Truth be told, I made a list of 22 reasons to leave, and only one to stay.  But that one reason to stay, trumped all 22 to leave.  I fell in love with my community, fell  hard.  I gave them a piece of my heart and in return they gave me a piece of theirs and loved me back.

A life with love will have some thorns, but a life without love will have no roses. To the world, you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.
Dr. Seuss

PS. It really was the stomach issues!

PSS. More post thoughts and stories to come.

 

Young girl, with her baby, selling home made lights at bus stop.

Local wedding with friends -the groom is holding a basket where the ring is hidden!

 

Last walk down the street in my village and a young man hand cutting stone

 

First day back at Cross Fit in the USA