The Men of Team Tankfrom left to right
Silent but Deadly, Rich
Fijase que, Jimbo
The Professor, Jim
Colombus, Gabe
ET, Frank
How does one encapsulate all the emotion, the sense of pride, the sense of slamming of brew-ha with your fellow volunteers in a blog entry - scientists say that it is not possible.
Greek Mythology states that The Tank was a gift from Zeus to the Corinthians during the last scene of "300". Others say it was merely the product of a community wide water project located within one of the host communities of Peace Corps Training El Salvador. However, a drunk hippie once told me that I should never label any event that takes place in my life, because when one labels something, he takes 'all the experience out of it and places it over there'.*
*This drunk and quite possibly under-the-influence of other chemical substances hippie, pointed at a specific evergreen tree. So I am assuming that all 'labeled' events are sent to this tree located in northern Michigan. However, I don't know if I believe him... ten minutes after explaining to me why I am part of 'the system', he was tied down by his cousin/US Marine for being too drunk and having too many rockets (illegal firecrackers).
Greek Mythology states that The Tank was a gift from Zeus to the Corinthians during the last scene of "300". Others say it was merely the product of a community wide water project located within one of the host communities of Peace Corps Training El Salvador. However, a drunk hippie once told me that I should never label any event that takes place in my life, because when one labels something, he takes 'all the experience out of it and places it over there'.*
*This drunk and quite possibly under-the-influence of other chemical substances hippie, pointed at a specific evergreen tree. So I am assuming that all 'labeled' events are sent to this tree located in northern Michigan. However, I don't know if I believe him... ten minutes after explaining to me why I am part of 'the system', he was tied down by his cousin/US Marine for being too drunk and having too many rockets (illegal firecrackers).
- ask Dave Hannon, it is all true.
Sorry for trailing off... Let's continue.
The Tank will forever hold a special place in my heart. It is the apitamy of sustainable development in Peace Corps. It provides a community with clean, potable water. And, more importantly (not really), it gave me and some great new friends a place to relax, build friendships and complain about Peace Corps. 4pm - training done for the day, a quick sprint to Super Selectos, our grocery store, to make a few key purchases, a hop onto the bus, and 15 minutes later it is tank time.
From the road, the tank is visible, yet it is still only a goal. However, as one approaches it, even better, as one climbs the ladder, it becomes a living, breathing thing. Hours were spent, jokes were made, stresses were vented, and perhaps most importantly, our batteries were recharged.
For many it looks just like an old, rusted water tank. But for a select few, it holds a deeper meaning, a greater significance. As my buddy Gabe, Tank Meet-Up Founder 2008, perfectly stated in his last e-mail to me, and I quote, "man... I miss the f-ing tank".
Sorry for trailing off... Let's continue.
The Tank will forever hold a special place in my heart. It is the apitamy of sustainable development in Peace Corps. It provides a community with clean, potable water. And, more importantly (not really), it gave me and some great new friends a place to relax, build friendships and complain about Peace Corps. 4pm - training done for the day, a quick sprint to Super Selectos, our grocery store, to make a few key purchases, a hop onto the bus, and 15 minutes later it is tank time.
From the road, the tank is visible, yet it is still only a goal. However, as one approaches it, even better, as one climbs the ladder, it becomes a living, breathing thing. Hours were spent, jokes were made, stresses were vented, and perhaps most importantly, our batteries were recharged.
For many it looks just like an old, rusted water tank. But for a select few, it holds a deeper meaning, a greater significance. As my buddy Gabe, Tank Meet-Up Founder 2008, perfectly stated in his last e-mail to me, and I quote, "man... I miss the f-ing tank".
1 comment:
j.j.leddy: ripped, killer triceps, sub 5 miler, can work like an ox, afraid of hippies, and will cut you with a broken bottle if you look like brett michaels.
jimbo aka american hero
Post a Comment