Returning to the USA

The Armpit of Service: July & August

September 29, 2018September 30, 2018 First Person ForeignCultural Difference

So I made it through July and August, the absolute armpit of this year, and maybe my service. Close to something important (like Close of Service), but not there yet. The desert of work. The[…]

Riding on Buses with Married Men

June 25, 2018June 25, 2018 First Person ForeignCultural Difference

I had to take 4 buses and 5 hours to get to Tanya for her birthday. To get there I walk out of my house on the corner (after saying bye to Abuelita, Host Mom[…]

I’ll Be Home for Christmas (2017)

February 3, 2018February 3, 2018 First Person ForeignBest Friends

Since I booked my trip in August (through my parents’ generous sponsorship), the thought of going back to the United States for Christmas shimmered in the wintry distance. I would say it was a “much-deserved”[…]

El Otro Lado | 75 Palabras in Guatemala

December 19, 2017December 19, 2017 First Person Foreign75 Words in Guatemala

“Su país/hogar/pueblo/de dónde viene” are all terms for the US. Most commonly it is “Los Estados Unidos” (never America- Guatemala is in Central America). Ana María (we’ll call her) is a school secretary. First I[…]

First Time Back | Coming Back to Service

September 2, 2017 First Person ForeignBeauty

And I left the cab driver who couldn’t get his payment machine to work for me to leave a tip. I felt a little bad but couldn’t do anything. I went through LaGuardia security heaving[…]

First Time Back | The Last Day in New York

September 2, 2017September 2, 2017 First Person ForeignFamily

On Monday July 3 I woke up in a hotel on the corner of 7th and 51st, Midtown Manhattan. My sister and brother-in-law had already found a place for breakfast/lunch (we slept in!). As we[…]

First Time Back | Sunday in Manhattan

August 27, 2017August 27, 2017 First Person ForeignFamily

Sunday in Manhattan titles my 3rd day on US soil after 9 months out of the country in Peace Corps Guatemala. Monday is my 4th day and on the 4th of July (Tuesday), I leave.[…]

First Time Back | Broadway Reunion & Family Reunions

August 14, 2017August 27, 2017 First Person ForeignFamily

Where did I leave things? My first night of sleep on US soil in a Vacation Rental By Owner in Jersey City, air conditioning puttering, skyline dazzling as I fell into dreams on an orange[…]

First Time Back | Subways and Panini

August 14, 2017August 27, 2017 First Person ForeignChanges

Before I “get into it,” I want to affirm how great my family is, on so many levels, and I appreciate them perhaps more than ever because absence, time and tortillas make the heart grow fonder.[…]

First Time Back | A Peace Corps’ Brain on Fire

August 12, 2017August 27, 2017 First Person ForeignBlank Slate

On July 1, my cousin got married. After 9 months outside the US of A, I was returning for 5 days. In late March I bit the bullet and bought the ticket from Guatemala to[…]