The last
few weeks in La Loma seemed to have passed by in a flash. I know my last
weekish in site will feel the same. It’s an overwhelming feeling of leaving
your now –at least where you call home. Unfortunately, while some of my close
friends in site were planning a surprise despedida (fare
Chicken little.
well party) one of them was killed while
working in the field. It was an accident and by the time they could get him to
the hospital (over an hour’s drive away), he had died. I had literally hung out
with him the day before. It was an accident, but at twenty-third years old,
it’s a horrible thing to happen to a family and a community. He was a part of
my computer classes and was included in my close group of friends in La Loma.
The last few days were filled by visiting his family whom I am close with, then
the burial on Saturday just seemed unreal. I never thought I would say goodbye
to him before he was saying farewell to me. So, that event put a damper on
leaving my community and finishing my service. Things happen, unfortunately
life is short, just like the two years I have spent in El Salvador, and the
time didn't seem to be enough.
Evan probably wanting to kill me after hitching a ride...
On a much
lighter note, I had a friend visit last week from Phoenix. Evan and I know each
other from Hebrew High school at the Jewish Community Center and youth group. I
hope he had a good time, it was definitely “different” having a male friend
visit and spend time in La Loma (I told my host family we were cousins so he
could stay with me). I think the campo shocked him a bit; then again it is
Peace Corps! J
Now I am
trying to rush to get things done, reports to write in English and Spanish,
getting one more edition of El Camino, Peace Corps El Salvador Volunteer
magazine as Editor before I leave. I have things to give away, gifts to buy or
make as well as thank you cards to scribble. It’s beyond overwhelming, sad and
stressful.
Enjoying some chocobananas. ;-)
The idea of
applying jobs, travel plans or eventually booking a flight home is beyond me
right now. I think things will come
together, but I know the next few days are going to be emotionally driven and
sad. Am I done with my service? Pretty much. Do I still feel guilty leaving? Of
course. I will miss so many things about this country and its definitely
becoming harder and harder to leave than
I had ever imagined.
Next time
I’ll be writing not as PCV, but as a newly fresh Returned Peace Corps Volunteer
(RPCV!). Wow. One day at a time…
-Karita
Frijoles Nuevos!
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