A typical day
As a Peace Corps trainee (PCT), my days are quite
structured. A typical day can be created
by conducting an individual Daily Activity Schedule (DAS). The Peace Corps like
many organizations is big on acronyms. My DAS is as follows:
7:30-8:00 -wake up, get ready for
the day and eat breakfast
8:30 – gather my bag, lunch and
head out to school
9:00 – 11:00/noon Community
Economic Development (CED) training
Lunch break 1-3 hours, depending on
day. Part usually spend working on cluster (group) projects
2:00 – 6:00 – language classes,
culture lesson included on some days
6:00 -10:00 home to study, eat
dinner, spend time with host family and sleep
One day a week, all three clusters gather for a joint
training session. Topics include; general community development, health,
safety, culture, etc.
One day does not have a schedule, but for me incudes my
weekly shower, studying, shopping, meeting with other PCVs, and just getting
caught up on all the items that I can’t do during the week. Laundry will be
done every other week and last night was my first laundry day, in country. My
host family has a washing machine, so I don’t have to wash my clothes by hand.
Unfortunately, it rained last night with my clothes on the line. Don’t know how
long it will take to dry. Inşallah.
Today is Sunday and I have the day off. A group of PCTs are joining at least one PCV
(Peace Corps Volunteer) to ride the dragon, a ride at the amusement park on the
beach. I’ll let you know how that goes.
Typical food/meals – food in general can be categorized as a
Mediterranean diet
·
Breakfast
o
Yogurt
o
Bread – a staple with most meals
o
Cheese
o
Jam (in my house typically homemade and
delicious)
o
Tea
·
Lunch
o
Egg
o
Piroshky – potato filled
o
Cheese sandwich
o
I try to add fruit to this meal
·
Dinner – lots of variety
o
Bread
o
Compote –homemade juice
o
Main dish
§
Chicken/potato stew
§
Little tortellini soup
§
Fish
§
Cutlets – meatloaf like (potatoes, ground meat
shaped like a cutlet)
§
Dolmas
§
Leftovers – just like home
§
Homemade pickled tomatoes
§
Occasionally cucumber
I’ve had dessert once and it was served before the
meal.
Lots and lots of tea.
Sometimes served with bread or roll, but usually with sugar and small
candies.
My host mother (sister) is an excellent cook and baker. Most items are made from scratch and all have
been good. I’m eating small portions
because I tend to get full quickly. My family eats at different times, but I
usually eat around 8:00.
I find that I switch from being awake to being tired much
like a light switch. I’m awake then tired,
there doesn’t seem to be an in between place at the moment.
The language is difficult. After 7 lessons, I’m getting the
gist of the structure, but am struggling with pronunciation and remembering the
words I’ve been taught. Also, I can only construct very simple sentences. But
then, it has only be a little over a week. I am confident that I will learn.
Salam - Patti
