Site Announcement!

Peace Corps surprised us with site announcements a day early. I can't tell you how exciting that moment is... well, I could, of course, but my words wouldn't do justice. All the anxiety, fear and apprehension combined with weeks of intense instruction, life-style adjustments and culture shock culminate in a weird sudden dissipation. In a second, this huge void is created and then immediately replaced by elation. All the focus shifts to the possibilities that lie ahead in the community where I'll be living and the work I'll be doing. It's quite a high! I know there will be more dips and twists on this ride but for now, for today, I am enjoying this feeling.

I am assigned to a village on the south west side of Viti Levu (the main island of Fiji).My village is tiny (less than 100 people) and I'll be working with them on income generating activities. The nearby town is about a mile away and has shops, a market, restaurants and internet cafes. This area is not very far from where most of Fiji's mainstream tourism (resorts, beaches, etc) and many tourists blow through this town on their way to other destinations in the area.

This part of the island is called the coral coast and my village is probably about 2 miles inland from one of the best surf spots in Fiji. Maybe I'll take lessons (although I'm also told there are sharks). Fiji does not have alot of beaches with breaking waves (the coral reefs keep the breakers well off shore) so this is a nice feature. Once I get there, in a couple weeks, I plan for my first exploration: to map out my running route to the shore!

I will be living in a traditional Bure - a one room Fijian house with thatch roof (woven banana leaves, I think). I'll have electricity and running water including an indoor toilet and bath room. Not sure if there is a shower (but I'm used to bucket baths already). There is an outdoor kitchen area but I could also have a portable gas stove (and probably will) inside the house. I have not seen my house but imagine it looks something like the one in this picture. I've been inside this one and it's absolutely charming! This is the real deal - Peace Corps experience at full throttle.(Well, alright, that may be a bit dramatic. Some of my fellow trainees got assignments in much more remote areas with little or no electricity and only stream-source or rain-catchment water supply. They may lay claim to the "real deal PC experience." But I'll take mine just the same.)

I'm thrilled! I feel connected again to why I did this and why I'm here. I expect more challenges ahead but, for now, once again, I "get it."

I'll be wrapping up my training in the next 10 days. We swear-in an Volunteers on the 4th of July and then within a weeks time of that I'll be moving to my village to start my work.

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Some of you have asked about where to send me stuff (mail, etc.). For now, use this address:

Dave Crowley, PCT

Peace Corps, Fiji

Private Mail Bag

24 Saint Fort Street

Suva, Fiji Islands

I'll have another mailing address once I get to site. I'll post that once I know what it is.