Pre-Service Training

Welkom to Jumieka! Waagwan mi fren! Everitin kris mon.

First of all, we have been sternly advised about postings on blogs because some persons in the past have posted information that has created security threats, racial remarks, inappropriate pictures, or opinions far from what the Peace Corps represents.

I gotta tell ya'll first that everyone in the group believes that I am an in-place, undercover CIA agent. This all started because I had all 51 trainee names memorized within 12 hours of arrival at staging in Miami. A few days later another trainee had some hand-held glowy fan thing(something you might see a doped up raver carrying). As I put it up to my face I mentioned how cool that would be if I was "smokin di ganja", and now they are convinced.

The weather is HOT and HUMID. Coming from New Mexico, it's a rather drastic change and tough to adjust to. After a week of COLD showers, I am beginning to enjoy them. They are quite glorious now, and I very much look forward to them.

Right now, the other 51 trainees and I are in north Kingston at a historic college barracks. They are pretty run down, but have a solid roof and floor. I can't complain, it's Peace Corps. I did, however, wake up with little bugs crawling all over me the other day. As luck would have it, they weren't biters. I've got the mosquito net up now.

The trainees and Jamaican people are amazing, and oh so friendly. The local language(Patois) is elegant and pleasing to the ear. Got a taste of my first Jamaican jerk chicken yesterday...MMMMM gud mon! We got a tour of downtown Kingston market area on Saturday, and let me tell ya.... it's absolute chaos, but soooo cool! Loud music, the smell of food, people EVERYWHERE! In a few weeks we will be required to navigate our way alone using the public transportation out to our sites, and to our host family house. I love a good challenge. The key is to look confident, even if you aren't.

In the meantime, we get up early, attend training, language, and cross cultural classes all day. Makes for a long day, but there's Red Stripe and mini dorm parties to be had in the evenings. One such class on STDs/HIV/AIDS has everyone convinced to stay celebant for two years. Next friday, I will get my job assignment, community living assignment, and then ship out the next day for that site. It's very much a roller coaster ride at this point as there is so much going on, and so much just around the corner. I've had a few bad days already, but they are closely followed by good.

me a go put up fa di niet. mi su kom bak.