It’s dusk and the heat of the day is gradually slipping from the air. It’s still hot but it’s much more pleasant then a few hours before. In boredom I decide to make my way down to the hall for an afternoon workout.
1, 2, 3, 4….. I am counting out loud as my body moves up and down. With sweat dripping off my brow I try to concentrate on my form. Is my back straight? Are my hands wide enough apart am I breaking the plane? Then I look over and my little host brother of 8 is down on all fours doing the same and I crack a smile.
Where did this little guy come from? Well I know what his afternoon entertainment will be. After four push ups he discovered it was a little more than he bargained for, but decides to stick around. While I continue with my workout Pati (my brother) suddenly turns into Tarzan. He begins to climb the hall posts and hang from everything in sight screaming war chants. When the sit ups got difficult I chimed in on the chants. We sounded like we wanted to take on the entire village.
I finished up a few sets and moved onto the final part of the workout, pull ups. This is Pati’s favorite part. He always stares, as if he’s wondering if he can do it too. This time though he takes no notice, because he’s taking a stab at doing handstands, which I taught him a few weeks ago.
I am now exhausted. I fall off the beam as I conclude my final pull up. Pati looks at me with a thought on his face. The thought, “Come on, this can’t be it!” I look over and give him a nod which he obliges. Figuring out it really is over he runs off to find some new wonderous shenanigans to fill his spare time.
Small moments and little happenings are the focal point of your service while in the Peace Corps. I often get lost in the thought “what am I accomplishing here? Or Am I making a difference?” When you take a step back and you look at the relationships you build and the moments you share, this is when you can properly answer those questions.
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Its all so very vivid now…I can see hear, smell it all…..thnks for keeping the memoriies alive.
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