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

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 This does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Peace Corps.