Just keep running, running

Hello Everyone! Things are going well here in Suriname.

During the three weeks I was at site I decided to take up running again. It’s basically been 2 years or so since I really ran (which I frequently did bf coming here) and I was a bit concerned on how long it would take to get back into shape. There is a trail in my village, about 2 miles in length. I was nervous to run on it by myself, as people in the village kept telling me I had to take someone with me, watch out for snakes, there are too many mosquitoes, and various other reasons to dissuade me. Since I was going to be going home in less than 3 months, I wanted to start working it into my routine again, so I just politely laughed, told them I wasn’t scared, and began my runs. Three weeks into it, my morning jogs have become a topic of conversation in the village. Every morning, instead of villagers asking me what I’m cooking, it’s “Did you run today? How many times? Are you tired?” It’s a nice change from the usual topics. I have women telling me their going to run w/ me so they’ll become ‘skinnier for their men’. One morning I had two 5 year old accompany me, and I was amazed at how fast and how long they could run! I took the time to show them some stretches, and then they showed me how to catch crabs in the creek where we cooled off. The path is definitely a bit rough, plenty of roots, holes, and ant/snake/lizard mounds, but there is something special about running a trail through the jungle and hearing the monkeys and birds around you. I always keep my eyes down on the path incase there are any snakes though!

One morning I was stretching, leaning on a ‘tree’, and then I took a closer look at it. I realized it was a signal for a gun trap, made up of sticks placed in certain positions/locations. This of course concerned me, and I asked my best friend about it. He then proceeded to tell me that it was indeed a signal for a trap, but the traps would be out in the midst of the jungle, not placed on the path. He assured me I would be fine, and then began to tell me all the specifics of the traps, the types of animals that are killed with certain ones, and people in the village who had been injured by them.

I have been spending a lot of time with the villagers that I am closest to. People are constantly asking me if my site is being replaced, if I am taking all my things with me, and if I will throw a party before I leave. PC sites typically have 3 volunteers in a row, then maybe more after 5 or 10 years, allowing other villages who haven’t had volunteers to host them. They tell me I have to stay another year, and I say I can’t my friends and family miss me- I have to go home and find a job and a man. (They love this response! Everyone here has a man and I joke about it with my close friends. They say “Bendefolo-you need to go home, find a nice handsome man who laughs, have him buy you lots of things (when a man asks for a women here they give her tons of dishes and clothes/kosus), and then have 4 kids- you must have 2 boys and 2 girls. Then you are done.”) They understand that it’s time for me to leave soon, but I tell them one day, after I find work and have money, I will come back to see them. I’m frequently told “Bendefolo-take this baby with you-they want to go to America”, and I respond by saying I don’t have the money to pay for a baby, “give it to your mom” they say. I tell them she already watches my dog for me. All in good fun!

Since my time is coming to an end, that means a new group of volunteer’s time is just beginning. The arrival of the new group was a week ago, and they are already off to their home stay, where they’ll be for 6 weeks bf going to site. Things seem to be moving much quicker for them. It was very bittersweet/melancholy to meet the group that is replacing mine, seeing them straight off the bus from the airport, and visiting the place where PC holds the training for the last time ever, sitting in the room I stayed in during training. Strange how quickly 2 years has gone by. I remember coming here and being told by other volunteers that it would go fast, and thinking, ‘how can 2 years go fast?’. But it really has, so much has happened, so much has changed, here, at home, with myself, other volunteers, family, friends, the world. It’s hard to take it all in. It was exciting to see the fresh faces, help with their trainings, and answer their questions. Being in the role of the old volunteers, those on the way out, and telling the new group what to expect (or more what not to) for 2 years was full of mixed emotions. They seem like a good enthusiastic group, and I’m sure they will do well.

The last project I was working on was a latrine project. We have been promised funding by a local organization here. It’s been 3 months, and we are yet to receive the funds. The organization isn’t responding to any requests or attempts at communication by Peace Corps, so all we can do is wait and keep calling. Unfortunately, I am not thinking the project will be completed before I leave. There is another organization I spoke with who is interested in installing an innovative type of latrine, but the project will not begin until next fall. It is disappointing bc I had really been hoping to finish with this project, but know that the community has been helped in other ways during my service, so I still feel thankful the other projects have been completed.

I hope things are going well back home with everyone! I can’t wait to see you all-so soon!