I've been at my site for a month. I feel like I've been there for a year. This is a good thing. Besides still not having a couch, I'm pretty much settled. It is a good way to explain that "No, I don't have any money. I can't even afford a couch." After people gasp in horror, that yes, a person from another country is not here to give you money and then leave, I segue into what exactly I am doing here. I've developed a nice elevator speech as I like to call it. It is nice and short. I suppose after I improve my Amharic, this fictional elevator will be in a taller building.
Fun things about where I live and what I do: I can run. I found a fantastic trail that the farmers use to come into town. Just simply wonderful. There are 3 Japanese Peace Corps-like volunteers who also live here. I don't know whether to speak to them in English or Amharic. I may learn Japanese to bridge the gap. I have 3 names that the locals call me: Emily, Emuye, and Hyme (pronounced like 'high-me'). I could do without the latter because it sounds like a female reproductive part. I found a place that has mangoes and avocadoes. It happens to be my friend's juice shop, who also happens to have the 4 most adorable sons in town. Sometimes I sell vegetables at my friend's shop. I like to think it brings her business. I do it for sheer entertainment and to practice the language.
As for the work: it is getting 'done' slowly, but surely. Slowly, but surely, pretty much describes any sort of process here. I go around the community meeting with organizations, school directors, etc. asking lots of questions. My mom would affirm that I'm good at asking questions. 'Why' was and still is my favorite question. I usually go around with someone to help translate. I've tried to go alone and it just doesn't work. If it is not the way I talk that gets in the way, it is the way I look. Meaning, why would any local give a foreigner sensitive information. Good point. I should know better, but I was eager to try it out. Sometimes you have to learn the hard way. No projects are supposed to begin until after I do the needs assessment. I have some good ideas when the time comes though, so I'm hopeful for the future.
It has been raining here for the past couple of days. It is easy not to leave the house. One thing that has come very apparent is that I have to be very, very self-motivated. No one really keeps tab on me, but myself. Nothing gets done by sitting in my room listening to the rain fall on my tin roof, although it is very pleasant. Good thing I can't sit still longer than 30 minutes before I feel like I need to do something. Other than learning about my town, I am also learning about myself, which I assumed I would be doing as well. One main thing, is that I came here thinking that my life would completely turn around because my surroundings would, but I have come to learn that nothing can change you, but yourself. It will take me the next two years to figure out what that really means.
