out of Macedonia and back to the United States. Washington D.C., specifically, where
all Peace Corps Volunteers from all over the world are sent when they need to see a
specialist, have an operation, or get hurt during their service. We all stay at the Virginian
Suites hotel in Arlington, Virginia. While I was there, I met other PCVs from South
America, Asia and Africa and the Carribean. I also got a chance to see the White
House, Capitol Building, Arlington National Cemetery, the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials, the Washington Monument, several of the Smithsonian museums...and I even got to see the million-woman March for Women's Lives that took place a couple of weekends ago! It was pretty powerful to see people standing side by side holding placards stating opposing views and to watch everyone just peacefully express themselves. As I understand it, the only few people who were arrested were from one group who didn't have the proper demonstrating permit.
I also spent a lot of time working out, tanning, and relaxing in the hotel sauna. Even
though I went nuts eating there, it seemed that I still definitely lost weight - probably
partly from stress and being sick, but mostly because I walked everywhere! I honestly
walked until my feet were bleeding. At one of my doctor's appointments, on the way
out, I asked one of the nurses to give me some bandaids and medical tape and I
wrapped up my foot so I could spend the rest of the day at the Holocaust Memorial
Museum, and the National Museums of American & Natural History. I learned
the metro system, got my nails and toenails done, called almost everyone I know on
the phone, and just in general had a great time! I even got to visit with one of my sorority
sisters from San Diego who now lives in Arlington! It, for me, was really a time to be
concerned about my health, and to process my experience in the Peace Corps thus
far. It was really scary for me at first because I thought my medical problem was
potentially more serious than it ended up being (for now anyway). The thought of
never seeing my apartment in Pehcevo again, or any of my colleagues, really hurt a lot.
I was so relieved when they said, "You're going back!" I ended the visit with a haircut and new blond highlights, starting some medication and starting to feel better, and finding
my "lost" drycleaning only minutes before leaving for the airport!!
But now I am back in Macedonia and am glad. When people here in Pehcevo ask
me if it was hard to come back, I smile and say, Two times I have gone home this year
and two times I have come back. For now spring has arrived and I have plenty to work on...