A Peace Corps Volunteer On Vacation
Sunday, July 3rd, 2016 to Monday, July 25th, 2016
Going to visit home was the last thing on my mind when I first got to my site. I was expecting to spend my second summer within Mongolia, but I became exceedingly homesick and wanted, so desperately, to see my family and friends back home. After a full blown year in Mongolia, I decided to travel back home, but this trip would consist of me visiting a place that would become my new home upon my return from my service. I, unfortunately, wouldn’t go straight back to New York City, but, rather, Charlotte, North Carolina. So, after having already been away from where I considered home, I would end up in a new place and gaining a new perspective of America through a “Southern Eye.” You know, anything past the Mason-Dixon Line.
I arrive after a long day of flights traveling through Beijing then Chicago then, finally, Charlotte. It was hot and I felt gross after a such a strenuous trip and I just wanted to see my family. So, I ran through the terminal feeling the tears well up in my eyes as I got closer to the baggage claim because I knew they were there. I couldn’t contain myself when I saw my great-aunt, grandmother, father, and sister. I ran down the stairs and shot straight for them to give them all a hug. I was so overwhelmed with joy that I thought I would pass out from the excitement. After gathering our things, my sister having traveled from Pennsylvania to visit had baggage to claim also, we headed to get something to eat. And, of course, not having had fast food in over a year, we headed straight to McDonald’s where I had yet to try their all day breakfast options. It was as though I could taste all the grease within just one french fry and it was phenomenal.
Over the course of the first week, I would not be able to sleep because of the huge time jump and would be up before everyone else trying to find food in the new apartment that my grandmother now called home. We, also, would have breakfast and dinner out in different restaurants through out the first week where I began to realize how loud Americans actually were. At one point, I had to step outside because inside the IHOP we were having breakfast in, there was a child just being extremely loud, in my opinion, and it felt as though bombs were going off in my head. I had to cover my ears repeatedly before just stepping out. I didn’t think I would have minor symptoms of PTSD because I wasn’t in the army or anything serious like that, but, boy, was I wrong.
Over my time, I would indulge in everything from food, drink, and experience. Cheesecake tasted overly amazing, tequila tasted sinful, and parasailing was exhilarating. Everything felt as though I was feeling them for the first time. I, also, indulged in my appearance. I wanted to wear all the heels, dresses, accessories, and make-up I could find in the boxes that were stacked up for me from my family’s move to the south. I would only be there for about 21 days so I wanted to take in all of the experiences that I could.
I had, also, indulged in a road trip with my young uncle, my sister, and our dear friend who completed, what we considered, the four corners. (Sorry, inside joke.) I visited Virginia Beach, Baltimore, and Philadelphia before hitting my mother’s home. Over the time of the road trip, I would continue to indulge in my experiences but began to notice how different Americans acted from Mongolians and it made me feel out of place at times while, at other times, I felt like I fit right in. I missed that feeling so much, actually feeling like an American.
After a few days with my mother’s side of the family in Pennsylvania, my sister, our friend, and I would take a bus to a place we all considered our home town: New York City. I could feel my heart flutter as we entered the tunnel and came out into the city that was embedded in my heart and memory. Being able to step out into the place where I was from was like coming full circle on this trip. I went from a town of 16,000 people in my service to a city of about 8.5 million and it was, to say the least, super overwhelming. There were people EVERYWHERE!!! I thought my eyes were going to pop out of my head while I stared at all the different people and, yet, I felt comforted by the fact that I no longer stood out like a sore thumb.
One thing that I must mention is that taking the train in the city after having been away for a year was super scary. At first, it was okay because there weren’t that many people on the train, but once we started to go back into the lower part of the city, it became filled with people and I felt my body internally shaking as if the walls were closing in on me. There goes that minor PTSD again. Overtime, everything felt normal again and I was able to take in the city’s noises, sights, and lights as if it were for the first time.
After an eventful time in the city, I flew back to Charlotte to spend the last of my days eating home cooked food, sleeping in a queen sized bed, and spending time around family.
Though I only mention such a minute period of time in this blog in comparison to everything I did within those 21 days, I hope it gave you an idea of what to expect whenever you travel home during your service or even just seeing what it is like for some of us PCV’s traveling home. Thanks for reading and check back soon!
germansingergirl
stormborns
2087
gracieabrams
snowghoul
gummygunk
dailybridgerton