Are you a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer?

[MN Dis Fans]

Just wondering how many DISers out there were in the Peace Corps?

Is there any corrolation between living in some very difficult places in the world and wanting to live in the Magic Kingdom?

I'm an RPCV, Chad, Africa (1989-91)

 

[barkley]

dont have any personal info. to give, but i had a dear friend (now passed-much too soon-in her 20's) whose parents were in the peace corps during the early years of her life (from about age 4-14) in africa.

beyond what she shared (verbaly) about her experiences growing up in this situation, her actions and habits showed such phenominal awareness and compassion with regards to all people. she was such a loving and appreciative individual for all that was available to her when she returned to the u.s..

given her life experience in the peace corps, and the life altering experiences some of my family members have had through foreign missionary programs, i would likely encourage my children (were they interested) to pursue either.

 

[TTFN]

Well, I'm not a RPCV, but my daughter (she graduates in May with a business degree) is waiting to hear about an assignment. She applied and has been through all the medical stuff...which has been approved. Maybe I should talk to your mom...I'm pretty worried about the whole thing!

 

[caitycaity]

my parents are rpcvs. i would really like to do it, and i would have if dh and i hadn't gotten married when we did. unfortunately if you are married your spouse has to agree to go to and there is no way dh would ever do it.

 

[RUDisney]

A good friend of mine was in the PC around the same time as the OP. She was in Togo, Africa,

She just returned from WDW recently and we were discussing the African area at AK. She told me that all she could talk about to her Mom and her boys about was the last time she and her DH were there. She said that when she turned the corner into "Africa" she was caught up by the smell of the spices and food being cooked outdoors. She said it really brought her back to her time in the PC. So, when she came up into "Africa" this time, there was no smell. They had done away with the outdoor cooking and such. She was so disappointed that her Mom and DSs couldn't experience that smell, too.

She did say that she went to a man who was playing the drums who was supposed to be from Uganda. She told him that she knew that he had to be from Ghana. He admitted that he was and asked her not to tell anyone. He said that most people can't tell the subtle differences between African peoples.

Anyway, I thought that was interesting.

One of my favorite bracelets was one that she brought back for me from Togo, with matching earrings.

 

[MN Dis Fans]

A good friend of mine was in the PC around the same time as the OP. She was in Togo, Africa,

One summer during my PC service, three of us Chad volunteers went to Togo for vacation! They had beaches, more paved roads - even a Hard Rock Cafe in KPalime (sp?). We thought it was beautiful there! Your friend is right - certain smells will take you right back to that time spent overseas!