Life as a PCV

Life as a PCV

After leaving Nyanza, we traveled to Kigali to stay for a week before being shipped out to our own sites. Unfortunately we didn't get the hotel with wireless internet and a pool, but staying in St. Paul's ended up being pretty fantastic either way. It's right in the heart of down-town Kigali and it's small enough that everyone can know what others are doing. Plus, there were a bunch of amazing restaurants around. I don't think I've ever eaten out so much and with that variety. Everything from Italian and American, to Indian and Moroccan. It's easy to see how you could blow a lot of money in a very short amount of time.

We were officially sworn in as Peace Corps Volunteers on Wed., May 5, 2010. We were graciously joined by the Country Director, and the US Ambassador. The ceremony was held at the amazing estate of Mr. Ambassador. Needless to say we were all impressed. We even had guards check under our buses for bombs. (Kind of reminded me of driving into the school in Amman.) Most of the ceremony consisted of various speeches. Six volunteers spoke, two in English, two in French, and then two in Kinyarwanda. The national film crew that was present happened to only catch that speech; understandable. There was also a speech by a Rwandan doctor, our country director, and the ambassador. We were informed that we are all connected by a web of light, which happens to be fiber-optics. We were also instructed to ask what Rwanda could do for us, and hopefully at the end of our service we have done more for Rwanda than it has done for us. Something of that sort. Eventually, we all stood and repeated after our Country Director that we swore to protect and defend the US Constitution against all enemies, and so forth. Apparently this was the same oath that is taken by the National Guard, Army, Marines, etc. It was pretty official. Then the best part; the food. There were all sorts of delicacies, including real cake! It was wonderful! Too bad Peace Corps felt the need to whisk us away before too long.

Thus far the life of a PCV is hardly different than that of a trainee. I still feel like such a newbie, which I'm sure I will be until the next group shows up. Amazingly though, we do get some more freedom, such as riding the bus by ourselves, staying out past 9:00, and deciding where and when we wanted to eat. We are grown-ups ... again!