First Month Back, and I Fell Down a Volcano

-
Photo Credit: Ben Gaffigan. At the top of the volcano.
Photo Credit: One of Tom's Teacher's. On our way up the volcano.
Before we get into the details I thought it would be important to explain how I got in this situation. I thought it would be a good idea to spend quality time with my fellow PCVs because I had just gotten back from the US. Since I was really homesick I decided to go hiking for the 4th of July because why not? I climbed up a volcano called, “Gunung Gede". (Don't worry fam the last time it erupted was in the 50s)

When I started climbing this mountain, all I thought was, “shit this is harder than the hikes I did back in the US” and the longer we were hiking the more I questioned myself. It sounded a little like, “Brenda why the f* did you agree to this?”.However, the time spent with the volunteers was totally worth it. We talked about our homes in the US, our site, and what we have planned or done for the summer. There’s a special feeling you get when you go through something as a group and I’m not talking about the rough ass hike. I’m talking about our Peace Corps service. It’s a challenge and blessing all at the same time. When we’re given the opportunity to talk to our fellow PCVs it feels good to know we’re not in this alone and that there are other people who can relate.
Photo Credit: Ben Gaffigan. We had just made it to our campsite.

When we made it to our campsite I swear it felt like I was in NY. This was the first and ONLY time I can say I was freezing in Indonesia. It was probably like 40 degrees, but I swear I thought I was gonna wake up with frostbite on my toes! The next morning we hiked an hour up to the very top of the volcano to watch the sunrise. (ya girl made it up after all that because I was exhausted) but the view was beautiful. I swear it looked like we could touch the clouds.
 
 
We ate breakfast, took pictures, and began our journey down the mountain and that’s when my journey took a turn for….I don’t even want to say worse let’s just say it took a turn. I fell and twisted my ankle and I swear I heard a “POP”. After that, the volunteers I was with did their best to help me get down this mountain. I butt slid down (my hands were so sore I had to wear gloves). I crawled on all fours which left scratches all over my arms and legs. I was carried by people (thanks Ben, Charlie, and Tom). I had some friends go down the mountain to get help (thanks Mahogani, Maddie, and Emily). If things couldn’t get any worse it started to get dark. I was traveling down this mountain at such a slow pace and I wasn’t trying to stay another night. So I forced myself to walk...and then it started to rain. 
Photo Credit: Ben Gaffigan. At our campsite.

So ya girl was limping down this mountain in the rain in the dark. I was so frustrated but there was no time to sit, complain, or cry. I was determined to get down. At an unknown time the safety squad finally met with me (22 people) and made a stretcher out of wood they found laying around and I looked at my friends with fear because:


  1. I’m a pretty heavy person 
  2. I was afraid they’ll slip and drop me off this volcano
  3. IT WAS DARK AND RAINING!

I was terrified and all I could think was damn my last meal was Pop mie, not even Indomie? SMH. But I put my trust in these guys who were making light out of this situation. According to my friends, the safety squad ran down the volcano carrying me while alternating positions LOL. All I could see were the bats flying around above me. The two things running through my head were “Please don’t drop me” and “I really hope these bats don’t get close to my face”. I made it down by 10 pm ...we started descending around 7am. I was soaking wet and put in a car and brought straight to the hospital (5 hours away from the Gunung Gede) So much happened during this trip but what I can say is that these volunteers were there for me when I was hurt and I am so grateful. Also, bonding was definitely what I needed (not ending up in a cast tho) 
Photo Credit: Random Hiker, but Ben Gaffigan's bomb camera. At the campsite.
I took this picture. This was my uncomfortable cast.

So yeah I’m hoping this is the highlight of my service, but to be honest I technically haven’t even made a year yet. What else can happen in Indonesia? I hope it’s nothing that involves me getting hurt. I promise I’m trying to be safe fam.
Just so ya know! I’m already recovered, classes have started, and I’m teaching again. Thanks for reading!Love ya, Bren

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Keepin' it 100

-
Image
The content of this website is mine alone and does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Government, the Peace Corps, or the Indonesian Government. So I've been living in Indonesia for over 100 days....to be honest with you all, it feels like I just got here. I mean yes I learned the language and know a bit about the culture, but things still feel new to me. I was recently told by a PCV veteran that the feeling will go away (I can't wait) I’ve been living in my permanent site (Tasikmalaya, Karangjaya) for about a month now (I think)...I haven’t been counting. All I know is that I got here just a few days before Christmas. I was not looking forward to the holidays, but they were better than expected. This is in front of what would be called their town hall. It's absolutely beautiful. For Christmas, I went to Tasikmalaya City with a volunteer named Mahogoni. We had a Christmas Eve dinner and hung out in this huge mall. Since this country is predomi...
Read more

The End of Training, The Beginning of Teaching

-
Image
The content of this website is mine alone and does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Government, the Peace Corps, or the Indonesian Government. Hello again!  So its been two months and I’m finally coming to an end with my training. Let me just say, it has been one interesting experience. I’ve gone through sicknesses, meltdowns, and joyous moments. Looking back at it all, I wouldn’t want to change anything that happened (even my WiFi breaking because of the rain). It literally took me a second to collect myself because I almost flipped shit. Here are some of my highlights that happened in the past month: I went to Pizza Hut with my host family here in Kediri and the ONLY reaction to it was, “WTF why don’t we have this in America” The Pizza Hut here is literally a sit in restaurant. They have rice bowls, pasta, and fancy drinks in these really tall skinny glass cups. I don’t want you reading this to think I’m exaggerating this didn’t feel like no regular ...
Read more

Speak Less, Listen More

-
Image
How to Listen There are many things that are currently happening in America, Trump becoming president, laws changing, and people fighting for their rights. In this moment of turmoil, the best thing we can do is understand each other, instead of physically hurting each other. I’m not saying to take someone else's belief and make them your own, but just listen to what others have to say so that you can better understand their actions.This can create a less hostile environment so that there is room for civil conversations. I think this is pretty fucking important because it seems like we're living in a very important time in American History (fingers crossed). (I don't own this photo. Click here ) Topics That are Causing Conflict I’m currently living in Virginia and the two topics that have been causing some conflicts here are the Black Lives Matter Movement (BLM) and the Confederate flag. I have heard about BLM from fellow peers saying things such as “they’re a...
Read more