It's been about six weeks or so since I've been back in the U.S. I had a really great, wonderful experience and I'm very fortunate to have made it through my 27 months safely and healthily. I miss Fiji an awful lot, especially the people, both Fijian and American. It wasn't easy and it wasn't always fun, but I know I'm different now because of the experience. I would recommend doing this, but I'm a lot more wary now and my views on Peace Corps are also much different now than they were before I left. I can't believe that the past two years happened! They seemed to have flown by and everything now is like a dream.
I thank everyone for the support and encouragement, boxes of magazines and chocolates, letters and postcards. Sometimes it felt like I was all alone and didn't know anyone or anything, and then I'd get a dose of reality when I'd go to town and check my mailbox, both the physical one and the computer ones. I cannot thank people enough!!
If anyone ever gets a chance to visit Fiji, I highly recommend it. I was fortunate to have my placement in a country like Fiji, which is truly a tropical getaway. The diving was amazing, the people are wonderful, the weather is heavenly, and the sweets are delightful. I miss the relaxed, lazy days and conversation, but I'll admit: hot showers are a great, great invention. Probably the thing I love the most about being back in America.
If anyone ever wants more stories, I'd be happy to give them. Or answer questions, either about Peace Corps or about Fiji. I do feel part of an "elite," a small group of us who have had this experience. Not everyone can say they've done what I've done, and I apologize in advance if it seems like Fiji is the only thing on my mind. Some days I get confused about where I am, and why certain people aren't here, and why Americans do the things they do, and why the government is the way it is, and how easy and complicated life really is. It's funny, how easy life is in America but at the same time, it's unbelievably difficult and complicated. Maybe someday I'll explain that in greater detail. But for now, I have a bazillion readings to do for tomorrow and Thursday and a thesis proposal to hone. No rest for the weary.
