If you know me well, you know I don't deal healthily with being singled-out in a public setting; I personalize everything. And as with so many other things here, being singled-out in public is feast or famine. For example, walking the route to the Peace Corps Office two times over two different days: the first day I receive two calls of "Hey, white boy!" followed by some consternation at my unwillingness to acknowledge them; the second day I receive two "You are Peace Corps?" which is welcome, and two more "Chris! Good morning!" from passersby in cars (one of which passed before I recognized who it was). So one can never tell, and being forced to deal with that uncertainty every time one walks into town can be wearying. But I'm making efforts to expand my circles of acquaintance, from job shadowing at NSTP's non-profit analog Project Strong, to just making friends with the security guard who works at the entrance to my community.
Moreover, I went to my official virgin Hash on Saturday. It was a 3.5 – 4 mile run around the railroad tracks at Kittitian Hill in St. Paul's. Some frivolities took place, including an initiation ceremony. It was nothing too demeaning, and quite mundane by some standards. But everyone had a good time, and we had a strong turnout of PCVs, locals, Ross students, and British expatriates. Pics soon.
The weekend felt long and was productive. The key to a fun and productive weekend? A solid sleep schedule. Staying up late one night, either Friday or Saturday, is fine, so long as there's time the following afternoon for whatever assignments/homework/chores needs to get done and an hour-long power nap. In my case, I had Saturday morning and Sunday evening for a secondary iMovie project that needed to get done before Monday, and I was able to hang with friends after the Hash on Saturday, do chores on Sunday (including further decorate the apartment), and help a friend move into his apartment in Sandy Point on Sunday after church. Decorating is indeed coming along, though a bit slower than I would like. I need to pick up some adhesives and hanging materials next, but "Glen's BIG Deal" in town is always closed when I go by.
I totally understand what you're saying in that first paragraph. I really stood out in Thailand, especially since I was going to school a little ways outside of the city. I'd walk to school and cars would honk at me. At first it was really unnerving, but it was never cat calls or anything, just people waving kindly, which sounds weird, but it's true. Don't worry about it too much, and just take it as friendly. I bet the "hey Chris!" calls will increase the more you become known around the community.
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