Peace Corps Princess

When I first thought about joining the Peace Corps in 2006, my parents reminded me that I am a Princess & would have a tough time adjusting to a developing country.  I never actually thought that I was much of a Princess until I started my career & developed the nick-name.  At first I thought it was a bad thing, but later I just embraced it and tried to be the best princess I could be.

In costume for a fundraiser 

At a certain point, I was ready for a new challenge - Peace Corps. During the application process I tried to mentally prepare for what I would be walking into, but its almost impossible.  Some of my PCV friends even remember me showing up in LA wearing heels (SO cute strappy black ones that I ended up leaving at the hotel) and thought "where does she think she's going, this is Peace Corps".  For the Record - there is no rule against dressing cute as a volunteer, although dirt, rocky roads do make it a little difficult.

I loved those shoes - and forgot about those pants!

Now that I've been in country for 17months, I'd like to take this time to reflect on the things I've learned and how Fiji Greta is different from American Greta.

Things I've learned:

1. How to cook.                                               
2. How to stop a taxi using my eyebrows only      
3. How to get a local's attention (kissy noise) 
4. How to walk/sit in a sari without it falling down                              
5. How to kill mice, ants, cockroaches            
6. How to speak just enough Hindi                
7. How to teach aerobics while telling stories   
8. How to make the best of every situation, even a 7hr bus ride           
9. How to be prepared for a natural disaster, LOTS of water     
10. Its ok to wear the same 2 shirts over a vacation
11. Wear long sleeves and pants at night, or get eaten alive by mosquitoes   

Here are some comparing and contrasting of America vs. Fiji Greta

America:         

Refused to stay in certain hotels, because they looked like a place where rapes happen.

Fiji:
Will sleep anywhere, and I've recently even slept in a tent. A place is considered luxury if they have HOT water.  But I do bring my sleep sack to avoid bugs/juices.

America:
Would go shopping at least twice a week (I worked a block from the mall). I loved purses, shoes, accessories, Joe's Jeans, The Limited, Express, Banana........this list goes on and on
Fiji:
Won't even consider spending more than $10 on clothing. Its too hot to spend time looking for something cute to wear, and besides - where would I wear it anyway? (Luckily I brought WAY too many clothes with me)

America:
We had a mouse in the house, one morning I saw that we had caught it - I wouldn't go down stairs until its remains were disposed of.
Fiji:
I love setting sticky traps when I suspect there's a mouse in the house.  I have a few strategic places I put them.  Its exciting to check them to see how many I caught - record 2 at once!  *note- I do not enjoy disposing of them - its awful.

America:
I got my eyebrows done & massages monthly.  I would've done it weekly, but that's just excessive.
Fiji:
Not much has changed - I still really enjoy pampering myself.  I get my eyebrows threaded every 5-6 weeks, my friend does a really good job (Thank goodness for the Indians!). Or sometimes other PCVs help out.  And I have found a lady to who gives great massages, so every time I got to Savusavu, I make a trip to see her!

America:
Drove a Volvo convertible
Fiji:
Ride in taxi's, buses and mini buses - sometimes I'd really like a car.

First bus ride in Fiji

America:
Would only drink pineapple & malibu - and would rather be the DD than the drinker
Fiji:
Will drink pretty much anything under $10 - and non of us are allowed to drive, so we all win.

America:
LOVED spending time with my nephews.  I loved playing tennis and going to the movies, or just hanging out downtown together.
Fiji:
The only interaction I have with children is when I leave for work & they are outside on the school compound or when they swarm the streets after school. But I do love Vili who comes to aerobics with her grandmother.

America:
Got eaten alive by mosquitoes in the summer time.
Fiji:
Gets eaten alive my mosquitoes all the time.

America:
Would attend aerobics classes a few days a week
Fiji:
Teach aerobics classes a few days a week

America:
Would get up at 5am to go to the gym to run
Fiji:
If I'm awake before 9am its early, therefore no early morning runs.  I would love to run at 11pm, but I don't think the safety & security officer would like that.


America:
Would much rather stop and pick up food than cook it
Fiji:
I can cook WAY better than anything you can get at the restaurants around here

Pumpkin Risotto 

chili cheese

pancake

America:
Would always consider what other people want to do when making plans, and go along with their decision despite my hesitation
Fiji:
Tell people what I am going to do, then ask them what they are going to do - if its the same, awesome, if not, that's cool too.  Making myself happy

America:
Got in trouble for wearing flip flops to work
Fiji:

Shoes aren't even necessary - but I do get in trouble for wearing flip flops to night clubs