Day in the Life of a PCT (Peace Corps Trainee)

It’s been about a month since Michelle and I arrived in South Africa and so much has happened. The days are starting to blur together. Michelle and I thought we would attempt to give our followers a flavor of what our day is like:

• 4:00am-7:00am - The first rooster crows; followed by a goose; then other roosters
• 6:30am - Watch the sunrise
• 6:35am - Use the latrine (outhouse)
• 8:00am - Language lesson (2-4 hours daily)
• Depending on the day - Riding the komvi (taxi van)
• Depending on the day - Sessions (cultural, technical, safety & security, medical) (2-4 hours daily)
• Throughout the day - Seeing the izingane izinkomo nezimvu [translation: baby cows and sheep]
• 5:30pm - Watch the sunset
• Depending on the day - Do chores (wash dishes, hand wash clothes, sweep our room, cook)
• 5:45pm - Bucket bathing
• 6:15pm – Study isiZulu (language)
• A couple of hours everyday - Spend time with family
• 8:00pm - Watch Generations (a popular soap opera; just about everyone in our village watches it)
• Before bed - Gaze at the Milky Way (so many stars!)
• 9:30pm-10:00pm - Lala kahle [translation: goodnight]

Umndeni wethu lapha eSouth Africa [translation: Our family in South Africa]

This is a typical day. It varies depending on random events. For example, recently, our cohort learned about the Zulu king’s wedding to a Swazi princess, so we asked to attend the ceremony. According to Zulu culture, anyone can attend the king’s wedding (it’s kind of a big deal). Our Training Director, Mr. Baker, made arrangements for transportation, and, voila!, we went to the wedding. (Disclaimer: traditional Zulu weddings last for a few days, and we only saw part of one of the days).

VIP Passes to a Zulu Royal Wedding

Royalty Performing a Traditional Wedding Dance

Michelle and I are enjoying ourselves. Our fellow PCTs are a great support. The Peace Corps staff is very knowledgeable and work diligently to make sure we can be successful. We have a wonderful host family.

At the same time, we’ve been experiencing the up’s and down’s of the U-W curve of living in a new culture (push up your nerd glasses). For example, we’ve had moments when we’ve really missed family, friends, the convenience of a flush toilet, or ice cream. There’s ice cream in South Africa, but not in our village. In the same day that we might be missing someone or something, we might also experience a break through in learning the language (for example, understanding how noun classes work) or see the wedding photos of our host mama (which was so cool!)

Overall, our decision to join the Peace Corps is affirmed regularly because of the connections we’re making with the people.