Read this in my WorldView magazine...just had to post it for you guys. :)
12 Reasons to Date
a Returned Volunteer
By Erica Burman
1. We can woo you
in multiple languages. Who else is going to whisper sweet nothings to you
in everything from Albanian to Hausa to Quechua to Xhosa? That’s right. Only a
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer.
2. We’re pretty
good dancers. Yeah, we don’t like to brag, but after 27 months in Latin
America or Africa we know how to move it.
3. We’ll eat
anything. Seriously. No matter how bad your cooking. Returned Peace Corps
Volunteers have had worse and will eat it with nary a blink. Sheep’s eyeball?
Water buffalo gall bladder? Grasshoppers? Bush rat? Bring it.
4. We know all
about safe sex, thanks to our very thorough Peace Corps health training. In
fact, there’s a chance that we’ve stood unblushingly in front of hundreds of
villagers and demonstrated good condom technique with a large wooden phallus.
5. We’ll kill
spiders for you. Well, actually, we’ll nonchalantly scoop them up and put
them out of sight. Same goes for mice, geckos, frogs, snakes. Critters don’t
faze Returned Volunteers.
6. We have great
date ideas: wandering the street market, checking out a foreign film,
taking in a world music concert, volunteering… Romantic getaway? Our passport
is updated and our suitcase is packed. With us, life is always an adventure.
7. We like you for
“you”… not your paycheck. Especially if we are just freshly back from
service, a local joint with “character” will win out over a pretentious eatery.
Living in a group house? No problem. Does it have running hot water? What
luxury!
8. You won’t get
lost when you’re with a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer. Navigating local
markets on four continents, we’ve honed an uncanny sense of direction. Or else
we’ll ask for directions. We’re not afraid to talk to “strangers”.
9. Waiting for a
late train or bus with us? Don’t worry. Been there, done that. We can share
lots of funny stories about “the bus ride from hell” that will make the time go
quickly and put it all into perspective.
10. Our
low-maintenance fashion style. Returned Peace Corps Volunteer guys are
secure in their manhood and don’t mind rocking a sarong. Women often prefer
flip-flops to high heels. We don’t spend hours in front of a mirror getting
ready to go out.
11. Marry us, and
you won’t get just one family—you’ll get two! When we refer to our
“brother” or “mom”, you’ll want to be certain we’re talking about our American
one or our Peace Corps one. You might even get two wedding ceremonies, one in
the U.S. and one back in our Peace Corps country.
12. And last but
not least, we aren’t afraid to get dirty.
