One Down, One TO GO: Hard to ignore the cravings

My one-year anniversary in country is today. Needless to say, in the last couple of days, cravings and fantasies occupy the majority of my thoughts–e.g. takeout (or delivery), bacon, hot running water, everything bagel with veggie-light cream cheese, good coffee, Subway (Spicy Italian foot-long sub on Italian herbs and cheese bread), high-healed shoes, movie theaters, real Chinese food, new music, my old wardrobe, cereal other than Corn Flakes, etc.

Really, fantasizing and craving the little things from home is inevitable no matter how long you’ve been away. I find food cravings to be quite random, surprising if you will. Chez nous, some people may stick up their noses at JIF peanut butter, Idahoan instant mashed potatoes and Kraft macaroni and cheese, but here… receiving packages filled with n’importe quoi “is like opening presents on Christmas Day,” says Emily Goldsmith (NRM PCV).

Pre-PCVs may repulse at the thought of consuming processed foods stateside, but here…there’s no shame in any consumption of JELL-O, Oreos, Crystal Light drink mix packets, instant pudding, tuna in a can, pizza crust mix (just add water), etc.

“JELL-O? Who eats JELL-O here?!” asks PCV Maggie Person.

As I bow my head and clench my teeth I respond, “Um, I do.” [I have a fridge.]

“I went through a pound of Velveeta in less than a week. My parents were disgusted,” adds Goldsmith.

We do what we have to do to remain in country. We do what we have to do to stay sane—sometimes that entails increasing our processed-food intake; sometimes that entails major movie marathons; sometimes than entails reading month-old gossip magazines; sometimes that entails dance parties with questionable dance moves; sometimes yoga or morning runs are the answers to our prayers; and sometimes speaking to locals in English is THE stress reliever (Ha You can’t understand me. Sucker!).

Although I highly doubt these cravings will subside in my next and last year in Togo—if anything I’ll have even more—this year sure flew by and I’m ecstatic to blaze through the next 12 months with or without JELL-O.

PS – Not everything we’re gifted is amazing. Although it was fun to design, this gingerbread cookie was gross. We were still grateful because it gave us something different to do. So thank you!