The Peace Corps has given me mid-April as a date for our "staging" on the East Coast. We are there for 48 hours and then fly off to Botswana for three months of training. Not sure what "staging " means, but I guess eventually we put on some kind of show. Not sure about the training, but I have been sent 15 lessons to help me begin Setswana, which the Batswana(people in Botswana) speak. However, all these things are unknowns for now.
The hardest part is the leaving! How does one wrap up life in Chicago after decades here? I am not sure. But I am in the midst of sorting clothes, books, dishes, drawers, etc. to dispose of non-essentials. My motherly instincts says I should recycle my possessions so they will have good homes. Not so easy for books, clothes, and assorted treasures from the past. So I spend time fretting and making lists. What will I want to have in two years? Interesting question. I do not know, so I guess, but that takes time and energy. So to calm my nerves I do lots of yoga and meditation. Does it help? Not enough. I feel like I am getting ready to jump off a cliff.
Then there are the goodbyes. Life goes on and I hope to return in two years or so. How does one tell people you are going away for two years to Africa in the Peace Corps? The reactions very widely: Are you crazy? You will die? Americans are hated abroad? Will you be safe? Do you know anyone else going? (No) Why do you want to do that? What will you be doing? Where will you be? Are you sure you want to do this? And a few say: That is great! I want to do that! I looked into Peace Corps at one point. Wish I could do that. So it goes...
Am I nervous? Yes. About what? Mainly about leaving things in order and forgetting things I should take care of before leaving. So I am making up spreadsheets about repairmen for the condo, bills that need paying, things that need to be done in the condo before and after I leave, etc. Then there is disposing of the car after 135,000 miles.
Finally and almost incidentally is the packing for Botswana. How do you pack for the cold weather there in July and August. How do you prepare for the hot weather in January and February? What does one need? What does one want to take? What is a decent amount to take? This morning I went to the dentist and came home with dental supplies for two years. That was just for the teeth. What do I need for the rest of me? So I am shooting in the dark and guessing at most things.
In general, I do not know the answers to most questions. I keep waiting and delaying in hopes I will find out more answers. In the meantime, I am wrapping up some projects here and continuing with life as usual with a strong undercurrent of anxiety about all the unknowns. So stay tuned....
