Peace Corps Connections

So Many Connections

On Tuesday afternoon I presented a book talk to about 60 people at Paradise Valley Estates where my college classmate and friend Kimmie now lives.

Kimmie had arranged dinner for Clem and me, her and her husband, and two other couples. One was a couple who had served in the Peace Corps in Nigeria soon after me. The wife of the other couple went to high school with Jack Wilson whose wife Angene was on the National Peace Corps Association board with me.  Such a small world!

Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and Friends

Former, or ‘returned’ as we like to say, Peace Corps volunteers have an easy time connecting with each other and with ‘host country nationals.’

Why do you think we use that term, ‘returned’ volunteers? Returned volunteers, feel free to answer!

This afternoon I came out of the exhibit hall to find my husband, not a terribly outgoing social person, in deep conversation with two former volunteers, John, who had served in Papua New Guinea, bought my book.

Memoir Writers Panel

Today I was one of the panelists who spoke about our writing. Marian Haley Beil who manages the virtual community of Peace Corps Writers and the newer Peace Corps Worldwide was the moderator.

I was surprised to see a woman wearing a jacket just like mine! We walked into the room together. She was as surprised as I was. Neither of us was sure where we had got it.

Peace Corps Writers Exhibit

Several of us also had our books in the exhibit hall at tables she organized for Peace Corps Writers – writers who have the Peace Corps Writers imprint as I do on my memoir Nigeria Revisited My Life and Loves Abroad.My spot was next to Gary who wrote Dnncing with Gogos.

Peace Corps Friends of Nigeria

We concluded the second day of the Peace Corps reunion with a Nigerian dinner and dance put on by the Friends of Nigeria. We ate pounded yam, jollof rice, plantain, akara, and chin-chin. There was Star Beer for those who wanted.

The organizers put on an amazing party!

A Nigerian DJ entertained us with wonderful highlife music. Once he turned down the lights that were keeping me off the dance floor, Clem and I danced for a good half hour to one popular tune after another.

One I like a lot says, “If you marry taxi driver, I don’t care; If you marry lorry driver, I don’t care.” and on to several other less-than-prestigious occupations, but finally ending with, “If you marry senior service, I don’t care!” I’ve always thought of it as a father to daughter, but the music is so lively it doesn’t really matter!

Buhari and Oil

Professor Vinnie Ferraro at Mount Holyoke College has informed me through his blog that Buhari is holding the petroleum ministry for himself.

I think that’s a good step. He was oil minister in the 1970’s so has some familiarity with the issues. He will surely have reputable advisers to help with this critical part of the Nigerian economy.