
On Finding Gratitude

Bianca Henao, 131 TESS Pure bliss. That’s what I’ve felt all day today. November 28, 2019. It’s Thanksgiving Day. My family and friends are celebrating halfway around the world without me. But, […]
Here’s to the (Thai) Women

Ali Talwar, 130 TESS My service has been largely dominated with the love from many amazing Thai women. These women do more for me than I could ever thank them for, and […]
On Belonging

Natalie Garro, 129 TESS Sunday, August 25th, 2019 I think an unintended, unconscious consequence of never feeling like I fit in anywhere was, perhaps, the freedom to evolve however I wanted. I’ve […]
Yá’át’ééh Shí Eí Joely Allen Yinishyé (Hello, My Name is Joely Allen.)

Joely Allen, 131 YinD Yá’át’ééh shí eí Joely Allen yinishyé. Ákót’éego Diné asdzáán nishłį (Hello, my name is Joely Allen and I am a Navajo woman.) It’s nine days into Níłtch’its’ósí (November) […]
I Am Most Thankful For…

Happy Thanksgiving! Today, a few 130 and 131 PCVs reflect on what they are most thankful for… I am thankful for the magic that is chaos. I am thankful for all these […]
The Family I’ll Never Have Again

Emily Maginnis, 131 TESS Mom doesn’t answer my calls, Then I remember the time and stop trying. I ask Dad about his day, The details are many but I only catch some. […]
Thank You, Khun Anuwat

For the past six years, Khun Anuwat has served as the Program Assistant for the Youth in Development (YinD) program. Staff, PCVs and RPCVs would like to say thank you to Khun […]
There’s a Free Breakfast at the Heartbreak Hotel on Khaosan

Anonymous Are you really a PCV if you’ve never cried on a late-night bus ride? Never felt tears trace your stress-creased face falling, speckling, seeding the rice fields over […]
Healthy Living: Ashley’s Yoga Retreat

Bianca Henao, 131 TESS Bpit term: the month-long break for Peace Corps Thailand volunteers that occurs twice a year and sends us just about anywhere. Most of us take advantage of the […]
Whiplash

Caitlin Navratil, 131 YinD I remember standing in my Minnesotan kitchen and thinking about my next two years, dreading the solitude. I remember worrying how I would be able to survive for […]
Leaving Home

Kevin Lentz, 131 YinD December, 14th 2018 (10 months ago) It’s my last weekend living in DC. Laying on my air mattress in the stillness of my dilapidated apartment, I lazily contemplate […]
Will I Still Be Able to Drive? Part II

Life doesn’t stop for you, nor me and while our life went on, so did theirs. Only the people who’ve I’ve shared this journey called Peace Corps with will understand the emotions that will rush me upon returning home
Daai Arai Gap Kao?

Megan McNelis, 131 TESS *Trigger warning: body-negative language quoted* They don’t say, “I love you” very much out here. I’ve heard it, but the usual words are gin kaao yang? “Have you […]
Spiders in the Night

Nhi Le, 130 TESS I see it out of the corner of my eye. THERE! The skittering shadow stops my heart cold. It crawls over my extension cord. Now, it’s under my […]
A Year Without Drinking

Michael Marano, 129 TESS A Year Without Drinking/ The Little Bird and the Light: Two Stories, One Ending Little Bird The little bird is scared. The Light has left the cage. The […]