The Boredom Factor

Much of the PC prep materials mention boredom as an issue for volunteers, and several of the RPCVs I’ve talked to have really emphasized this, as well. Life in many other countries just moves at a slower pace than our crazy hectic lives here in the U.S. In the words of one RPCV, “the main enemy of the PCV is boredom and an excess of free time,” especially in the first year when you are still getting settled and learning the ins and outs. We are encouraged to think in advance about how we will spend free time – hobbies, learning a musical instrument, anything.

As I am an avid reader, I decided to start with what I know I love – books! I don’t want to spend too much precious luggage space with heavy books, though, so I am counting on the kindness of others to mail me some reading material over the next 2 years – books, magazines, comics, newspapers, anything and everything. I’ve started a Reading List, books that I’m interested in. So, if you’ve got an extra copy that you don’t need back for a while (of these or any other good books), please feel free to send to me! I will do my best to return items, but it just might take a while.

I’m still working on other ideas for ways to occupy my free time. Suggestions would be appreciated!

Out of the mouths of babes…

This afternoon, Liza asked me why I had to go to Moldova to work – “Can’t you do this job here?” It’s hard enough to explain Peace Corps to a 9-year old, but try to do it when you are choking on tears.

Liza also asked where are my cats. Nadia is with a friend, I explained, and Yantar and Mishka are at my parents’ house right now. “Why can’t you take them with you?” “Well,” I said, “this is really too long of a trip for cats. You know how long your trip is to Moscow, right?” “18 hours,” she promptly replied. “And my trip will be about as long, which is much too long for the cats. They wouldn’t like it at all.” “And there wouldn’t be any place for them to go to the bathroom, either.” “Yes, that’s true,” I said, “no bathrooms for the cats on the airplane.” “Then, yes, they have to stay here when you go.”

Question #1

I should tell you the funny story about Question #1 (“Moldo-what?”).

In 1994, I was traveling from Moscow to Chernovtsy, Ukraine, which involved crossing through Moldova. The ticket agent in Moscow assured me, most vehemently, that I would NOT need a transit visa as the train wouldn’t even stop in Moldova. I was skeptical, but by then, I knew enough about Russian culture to realize that there was no way I was going to get a transit visa, no matter how much I wanted one. “It had been decided” that I wouldn’t need one.

If you thought the Soviet Union was bureaucratic, try going through three mini-Soviet Unions in one trip. Customs going out of Russia, customs going into Ukraine, customs going out of Ukraine, customs going into Moldova, customs going out of Moldova, customs going back into Ukraine. And of course, at the Moldovan border at 2 am, they saw my American passport and said I had to go to Kiev, 12 hours away, to get a transit visa. Konechno; of course. Well, of course, a few American dollars made that problem go away, but I was tired and irritated. The Moldovans always had a special place in my heart after that, the special place I reserve for an especially strong dislike. I’ve cursed Moldova for 10 years.

And so, konechno, imagine my delight when the PC placement officer said I’d be going to Moldova. I laughed out loud. Yes, I suppose after 10 years, it’s time I gave the Moldovans another chance.

Throughout this past year applying to PC, I couldn’t decide whether I wanted to return to Eastern Europe or to go someplace entirely new and different. I love Russia and Eastern Europe, and it’s familiar. But something new and exotic had appeal, too. Moldova is the perfect placement for me. Well, let’s clarify that. It clearly has the bitterly ironic, strangely coincidental quality that I love about Russia (the “but of course you only sell tickets to Kiev from 1-2 pm on the third Thursday of odd-numbered months” quality), yet it’s Romanian background and influence will be entirely new for me. And while I had romantic ideas of the “exotic” life riding elephants or eating food that might still be moving, I will instead learn to live with the lovely euphemism of “rustic.” I’m a city girl about to spend 2 years living “rustic.” In Moldova.

Question #2

Since announcing my Peace Corps decision, I’ve been asked most frequently two questions. The first question is always “Moldo-what?” That is often followed up with “Why Peace Corps” (or something to that effect, like “What the heck are you doing girl?!”).

I don’t remember a time when I didn’t think about Peace Corps. In college, I called the campus recruiter’s office when PC first started programs in Russia. I was told they wanted people with master’s degrees in teaching ESL and folks with extensive business experience as volunteers for Russia, so I hung up discouraged (since I didn’t meet either of those criteria at the time). I never let go of the idea, though. After I got married and started working full-time, I figured I’d do Peace Corps when I retired.

My first days in Moldova will be exactly one year from the week I decided to apply. Labor Day Week 2003 I drove to Philadelphia, NYC and back to Columbus, visiting friends. It was a long trip, a lot of driving, with no escape from myself and my thoughts. I went over and over in my head why I had been feeling so antsy, so dissatisfied. Everything was great – good job, beautiful house, great family and friends nearby, enough income to keep me comfortable and allow a big trip once or twice a year, starting to date again after being divorced almost 3 years. So why wasn’t I happy?

My mind kept returning to Peace Corps. It was the only thing that felt right – there’s just no other way to describe it. Of course, I fought it over for another month or so. Trying to convince myself of all the reasons why it wouldn’t work. Finally, I had to admit, it’s what I want to do, it’s what I’m supposed to do. Why wait another 30 years until I’m retired?

And slowly the pieces fell into place. I talked to my parents first. They were wonderfully supportive, albeit nervous about me being gone for so long. I told a few close friends, who were also wonderfully supportive.

I started filling out the application in October, I think, and here I am a year later. It’s been a long process, and there were many times when I thought it was impossible, times when I was ready to back out and say forget it. But all along, even when I didn’t know exactly how, I knew that somehow it would work out. My house sold; friends and family took my cats and my “stuff.” I kept meeting Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCV’s), friends of friends were RPCVs from Moldova; there were all these strange and serendipitous connections. Over and over this past year, in my moments of greatest insecurity to the times I’ve been so busy I’ve almost forgotten I’m leaving, something has happened that re-confirms for me that this is absolutely the right thing for me to do right now.

As I wrote in one of my application essays, serving in the Peace Corps is a wonderful convergence of my values, skills and interests. It is the most appropriate, no the only appropriate, “next step” in my life.

In one month…

I made my travel arrangements today with the Peace Corps travel agency. I leave on Tuesday, Sept. 7, for a two-day “staging”(aka orientation) in Washington DC. We’ll have an introduction to Peace Corps philosophy, rules, etc., plus get our vaccinations, sign paperwork, etc. And, of course, finally meet in person the rest of the Moldova 14 group!

Thursday afternoon we fly out of DC, and arrive early Friday morning in Amsterdam. We switch to Air Moldova (who knew there was such a thing as Air Moldova?!), and then arrive in Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, at 2:40 pm.

So, one month from today, on September 10, 2004, I will set foot in Moldova!