John's Next Step

Special thanks to Samantha for the coaster This week I moved into my house.  The country directory came last Saturday to check out the place that was planned for me.  She video conferenced our security officer, who was in St. Lucia at the time, to get her approval and there was a small concern about the place. Peace Corps is very serious about the safety and security of the volunteers and this particular house had only one exit and the kitchen area was between the bedroom and the front door.  It was also near the top of the village - a walk from the school.  They checked out an alternate place that, with recent upgrades, seemed to be more suited for my stay – as it is right next to the school, had an exit out the bedroom, and more light/breeze.  The Country Director, considering all things, decided to see if Peace Corps could change my house. However, of course the people who had prepared the first house had put some money into it expecting to ...

My group is "EC 89" It's official - I'm a PCV again - and I have the paper to prove it. The transition from Peace Corps Trainee (PCT) to Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV) comes with the swearing in ceremony.  Our ceremony was at Fort Young and marked the commemoration of the 50 anniversary of Peace Corps Service on Dominica. The ceremony is the same and different around the world.  A generic Federal oath is required and it was administered by Laura the Deputy Chief of Mission serving the islands.  After you say the oath you transition from trainee to volunteer: I, first, last name do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to ...

Last week of training This is the last week of training.  A lot of this week is language and final assessment as we prepare for the swearing in ceremony on Friday.  Swearing in will mark the 50th year on the island so it will be a big event. I’m looking forward to moving from Peace Corps Trainee to Peace Corps Volunteer, but that big change that also comes with its own challenges.  More about that later.  For now a photo post. Hiking down to Soufriere Monday Aug 7 was a holiday on the island, Emancipation Day, remembering the end of slavery on the island.  So, with the day off I hiked down to Soufiere with my homestay “brother”, “mom”, a friend of hers, and 6th grade student at my school.  It was a very nice day that ended up with a little bit of snorkeling in the Caribbean Sea off Scotts Head beach. I’ll let some pictures do most of the talking for the post this week. Kayla shows off the type of shoes natives can use - flat sole slip ons. ...

I woke up and got on the bus early yesterday to get to a community to help with a stenciling (painting) activity on a school courtyard.  It had been raining at my place so I thought it might be cancelled, but I’m up in the mountains.  At 6 I got word that the school was dry and so the activity was on.  I left at 7 and after about an hour spent waiting for the bus and traveling to Roseau and still having more waiting and traveling ahead - I got the message that the activity was cancelled because the concrete was too wet.  Welcome to Peace Corps. The alternate plan was to meet some volunteers at a nice beach and relax.  There is something about serving on a tropical island.  When I arrived several volunteers were enjoying the sun, the Caribbean Sea, and the restaurant/bar.  There was a couple who will complete their service on Wednesday, travel and relax for about a year, and then go to another Peace Corps assignment – next time in China to teach Engl...