This Is Only The Beginning

It has taken me over 24 hours to figure out how this 'blog' this works. Last night, sitting in front of the electric fire in my living room, absorbing its warm radiating rays, I looked over and realized in less than two weeks I would (possibly) be sitting in front of a real fire, in Bamako (or near Bamako -- which for those of you who don't know is in Mali -- which for those of you who don't know is where I will be serving my 27 month commitment as a volunteer with the Peace Corps).

For my first post I think I would like to introduce myself to all of you. Now, most of the people who choose to read this blog are my friends and family. My friends, hopefully, will read my blog with curiosity and excitement, wondering what has their friend has got herself into. Some of you will be looking at my photos and reading my posts saying to yourselves "i'm SOOO glad im NOT in Mali right now, I really appreciate my bathroom and electricity (and to you Frosty, your Swiffer)". Then there will be others who are saying: "why did I say I would come visit her? . . . what have I got myself into". To my family, many of you will surf my blog and wonder about the adventures I have experienced and what crazy stories I will inevitably bring home with me in April 2013. Others then, like my mom, will probably look on my blog every day, reading the “Mali News” column, absorbing every word I write, repeating to oneself that yes, I am doing what makes me happy and yes I am safe (I love you momma).

I have contemplated the Peace Corps (PC) for over three years now. As a second year at the University of Virginia, I knew I wanted to work in international relations and be some sort of lawyer (a life long “dream” that I thought up since I was a little young’in and due to my stubborn state have yet to relinquish). I thought of the PC but pushed the idea out of my mind due to the fear that accompanied the thought. My third year of undergrad, I found myself traveling around Eastern and Western Europe, mostly by myself. The experience of living on trains, in hostels, and wandering the streets of foreign countries by myself, being completely dependent on myself, helped me not only mature, but allowed me to begin to believe in myself. I realized I was a lot stronger and courageous than I had ever thought. Not only learning to be resourceful in times of limited funds and cold (or warm) nights, the possibility of the PC started to become more of a reality. Although I was still fearful of the concept of going to a third world country, with no electricity or running water and having a large communication barrier, the idea seemed to be more of a welcomed challenge than a “absolutely not”. I was curious of the thought of challenging myself beyond my known limits.

Beyond my fearful thoughts, the idea and concept of the PC was something I had always valued and respected. I was studying foreign relations in college and read about the troubles and realities of peace between countries. Written treaties, diplomatic relationships, and customary international laws between nations were things that I found very intriguing to study. Consequently studying at a top college in the nation requires you to take classes that (in thought) will create a ‘well-rounded’ person. In every one of my classes we would discuss the nature between ethics and politics. In any liberal arts class theology and politics struggle with each other, they collide like atoms in a structured environment. Immanuel Kant believed that reason is the salvation of humanity. He said that although human nature is not pretty, we know that we can work towards peace because nature has given us the ability to reason and over time our reason will allow us to make better decisions.

In 1961 President Kennedy established the Peace Corps in order to promote world peace and friendship. He wanted to create a program, which would established a better understanding of Americans on part of the peoples serves, and in reverse, help promote a better understanding of other cultures on part Americans. While making my decision to apply for the PC I realized that if I wanted to work in the human rights sector when I ‘grew up’, I didn’t want to just learn about human rights abuses in textbooks, I wanted to experience them in person. I waned to immerse myself into a community with no running water and electricity, become a part of that community and live like they live. My passion to work in human rights and my nature as a person accumulated in my final decision to volunteer with the PC.

I have no idea what I am getting myself into. There is only so much a person can do over the Internet. One can read about a place, read about its peoples, look at pictures and research a culture, all without leaving a confined space. Robin Williams said, in Good Will Hunting: “But I'll bet you can't tell me what it smells like in the Sistine Chapel. You've never actually stood there and looked up at that beautiful ceiling”. I want that.

This is the first post. This blog with chronicle my experiences in Mali; my fears, my many inevitable crazy adventures, my thoughts, feelings. It will, hopefully, allow me to organize the wild challenging adventure that will be Peace Corps Mali.