As I was paying serious attention to Hour 6 of a full day
Peace Corps training, I began jotting down what I thought would be appropriate
rules for a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ethiopia. As stated before, PCVs tend to
lose tact, so forgive me if you find any part of this a bit too strange. Such
is life in Ethiopia…
1. The first rule of Peace Corps Ethiopia is: you do not
talk about American food to someone unable to get American food.
2. The second rule of Peace Corps Ethiopia is: you do not
talk about American food to someone unable to get American food.
3. Any talk of bowel movements is not only condoned, but
recommended. Furthermore, if you go potty in your pants, you are required to
send a mass text message to fellow PCVs as soon as possible. This is known as
the “Own It” referendum.
4. You DO judge and wonder about any foreigners, which are
non-PCV, you see in your town. It is always proper to assume they are
temporary, clean, and normal; thus making them an enemy.
5. You DO take the gorsha… always.
6. You DO NOT look twice at an adult picking their nose
(elbow deep) in a professional setting or during a meeting.
7. You DO take the side of your fellow PCV and never the
local children. The children are wrong and the PCV is right, in every case.
Even when it is untrue.
8. You DO NOT judge the pure gluttony created in a PCV when
he or she is opening a care package. Likewise, you do not judge the level of
aggression shown on the walk from the post office to home. PCVs should be
willing to sacrifice him or herself for a package of goodies from home.
9. You DO NOT acknowledge how long a fellow PCV has been
wearing the exact same articles of clothing. Also, you give him or her the
benefit of the doubt and assume undies are being changed out.
10. You DO NOT judge a PCV for the duration of time in
between showers.
You will never be as free as you are here. Seriously, who wants to join!?!
