How do I begin to describe six weeks in a place where nobody speaks English and few understand why I'm here, or how I get paid ... where I'm wanted for my "gringaism" ... where being a gringa automatically corresponds to knowing everything about anything, including how to fix a malfunctioning computer and how to speak other foreign languages ... where 10 years in age difference seems to mean nothing to some people ... where chocolate cake is newer than sliced bread (which doesn't exist here) ... where if you can sing, or at least they think you can, you would never stop if it was up to them...
Peace Corps Volunteer Cindy Ann Oursler writes: How do I begin to describe six weeks in a place where nobody speaks English and few understand why I'm here
We're not in Kansas any more
By CINDY ANN OURSLER
Special to the Traveler
Published:
Saturday, October 3, 2009 1:43 PM CDT
How do I begin to describe six weeks in a place where nobody speaks English and few understand why I'm here, or how I get paid ... where I'm wanted for my "gringaism" ... where being a gringa automatically corresponds to knowing everything about anything, including how to fix a malfunctioning computer and how to speak other foreign languages ... where 10 years in age difference seems to mean nothing to some people ... where chocolate cake is newer than sliced bread (which doesn't exist here) ... where if you can sing, or at least they think you can, you would never stop if it was up to them...
I'm beginning to wonder what anonymity feels like. I'll try here:
Spanish is so different here. Different accent, pronunciation, word order and lack of the S. I think I'm finally getting it down. I'll be talking like a crucena by the end of this year or earlier!
Peace Corps: I have the wonderful pleasure of being the first volunteer in my site, although there was a volunteer who commuted here to do work her last year of service. I'm working in her shadow somewhat, which scares the bejonkers out of me since she now is one of my bosses, and she also seems to have left some sort of legend here.
Now I've gotta work from where she left off. I was a little overwhelmed at first, but I think it'll be alright, as long as I can communicate.
For more of this story, see Saturday's Traveler.
Editor's note: The following is the third in a serious of columns from Cindy Ann Oursler, a Peace Corps volunteer from Geuda Springs. Oursler was sent in 2008 to Chilon, a town of 500 people in central Bolivia. She returned home due to diplomatic conflicts between the United States and Bolivia, and was transferred to Ecuador in October 2008. This column describes some of her experiences in Chilon. Oursler graduated from South Haven High School in 2001, Cowley College in 2003 and the University of Kansas in 2006.
