I’m pretty sure I have hit a wall in this peace corps experience. Not the kind of I-Want-To-Cry-And-Need-To-Go-Home kind of wall, but more of a I-Crave-Too-Much-American-Food-And-Am-Tired-Of-My-Community kind of wall. I guess I need a vacation, really. My work has been really slow the past few weeks, averaging three 1-hour classes a week. The aqueducts have been put on hold (due to upcoming elections and the politics of it all), all my grants have been submitted and either funded or delayed. My walking-group that I was very excited about has died. Too hot. All the time. In the past few weeks I have spent more time in my room, by myself, than with community members (but I’ve seen some great American movies!).

I’ve become a bit tired of my community. Not of the people, but the actual ruralness and inactivity that thrives here in Guayabo. There is literally nothing to do (and I’m not baking for a while in hopes that my rice-belly diminishes a bit). At least the youth have to go to school, the husbands work the land, and wives cook, clean and take care of children. I have none of these roles to fulfill and am finding myself with too much time on my hands (although everyone assures me, “is part of the peace corps experience”). I could always walk the 30 mins-1.5 hours to my nearby neighboring communities, but in the daily 95 degree heat, I just can’t muster the energy (and not like there is anything different there, anyway). Thus, I’ve decided, I need some “learn-how-to” books. If anyone is feeling generous, be sure to ship me “Learn Easy Yoga!”, “Cooking with Paula Deen” or “Computer Programming for Dummies” (don’t actually send the last one- I hate computers).

I also have had a terrible head cold for the past 2 weeks that has put a damper on my enthusiasm. Just last week I called my mother and complained for 25 consecutive minutes. But, I felt a bit better after that! I have even been splurging a bit on food, which I miss most about America/any industrialized nation. I bought some packaged orange juice and finished the 2-liter in 1 day. I also bought a Milky-way Midnight which wasn’t worth the $1. I even dreamed about a turkey sandwich last night, no joke (coldcuts don’t exist here).

Okay, enough of my complaining. My best friend, Anna, is coming in just about 2 weeks for my birthday, which will be AWESOME. We are going to the beach in a touristy town in Puerto Plata (first time I have been to the beach since November – I live on an island, right?) and I will drink some cold beer and hopefully I can find a turkey sandwich or a cheeseburger! I have also instituted a “date night” with my boyfriend once a month, which consists of going about 15 minutes motor away to a shack that serves smoked chicken and cold beer. This will hopefully keep me going throughout the summer when things apparently get REALLY slow and REALLY hot.

Whelp, this upcoming week is All Volunteer Conference which consists of all volunteers in the DR in the capital for one day. Details have been sketchy and I’m not actually sure what the conference is about. But, hopefully seeing some friendly American faces will pop me outta this funk and give me some ideas about things to do at my site! Until then!