Yesterday was my 10 week milestone of Pre-Service Training, we were finally being sworn in as PCVs. It felt like a high school graduation, lol.
It was a proud moment for me, singing both national anthems of Sierra Leone & America and then to be officially sworn in as a Peace Corps Volunteer by the US Ambassador. They even handed out our Aspiration Statements to remind us of our original intentions of joining Peace Corps.......this experience is truly special.
So different from weeks ago for the Pulnado (adoption ceremony) where we came in our American clothes, barely spoke any Krio, and met these strangers who would be hosting us in their homes.
We have grown accustomed to our African names. Most of us were all decked out in Africana and some even busted out with the AlShobi which is a form of bluffing where the family all wears matching Africana by using the same gara. My mama lent me her Africana, I felt like a real African woman with my lapa and wooden jewelry :)
During the PCV Swear-In, we did speeches in the represented local languages of Mende, Temne, Loko, Soso, Kono, & of course Krio. The Mende speech definitely had hometeam advantage where everyone went all cray-cray after each sentence. So not fair for me and my Temne peeps, lol.
One of the best parts of being a PCV, no curfew, lol! We celebrated our last night in Bo Town. For the 2 months I've been in Bo, I've been completely unaware of it's nightlife, it's that damn curfew! Most of the PCVs got a room in town except for a group of us that were leaving for site first thing in the morning. Unfortunately, I was in the 7am group. Regardless, it was an awesome night where we partied with other PCVs from Salone 1&2 along with our awesome LCFs who party like rock stars. By the stroke of midnight I went home before I turned into a pumpkin, lol. Luckily, we didn't have to make the 1hr trek back home in the pitch darkness b/c Josh's parents came out to party and brought us to our village junctions.
By 6am, I woke up with headache from all the 5block (10cents) Tyson baggies I drank. I'm sure my eyeliner was smeared across my face like some used-up 50cent motel whore, haha. But who cares, I had a great time and it'll be December before I see most of these folks again over in IST (In Service Training). The Peace Corps vehicle rode right up to my house and I threw all my gear into the car. I hugged my family goodbye, and spun my little brother, Viktor Jr one last time. Mama Kenyah started crying a bit, it got me a little misty eyed. I told her to not cry for me b/c I'll be back to visit. I hopped in the car and drove away waving goodbye to my African family.
As we drove through the village of New York, I passed through all the houses that I greeted everyday on my way to school. Everyone was calling out "Kenyah Simbo!" and I waved back and said "A de kam, a de kam!" which just means "I'll be back" instead of saying goodbye.
We hit the highway heading northwest for Lunsar, I look in the mirror and see Bo behind me. I really got to know this place. I'll see you next time Bo, you were my first home in Africa...........
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