Page 44 - HaMizrachi # 21 Tisha B'Av 2020 USA

The Preacher

WHO TAUGHT ME

HOW TO MOURN FOR

the Temple

Judy Waldman

y daughter Jennifer joined She didn’t want to fill someone else’s We walked down the path she had
the Peace Corps soon after shoes; she wanted to blaze her own taken to get here. The trek to the
Mgraduating from college. trail. That’s how she was posted to bus stop was only the beginning
Las Palomas. of an arduous journey. Once we
The Peace Corps application boarded the bus, we stood, waiting
process was an interesting one. Jennifer had been living in Las for two seats to open up. Passenger
Jennifer was asked to list three Palomas for about four months after passenger boarded and
preferred countries, but ultimately when I knew it was time for a visit. departed, live chickens under one
they needed someone who was arm and bags of food under the
fluent in Spanish for an opening The flight from Miami to Managua other.
in Nicaragua, for that’s where they was short and uneventful. In
Managua, I transferred to a small
wanted to send her. Having grown prop plane; at least it was a twin- After a torturous ordeal of several
up in the Southwest and having prop. There were two other hours during which the bus snaked
minored in Spanish in college, passengers besides me. down rutted mountain roads, we
Jennifer was indeed fluent. But finally arrived at our stop. How she
Nicaragua? The captain landed smoothly on a knew that the wooden chair at the
grass airstrip. Jennifer was supposed dirt-road juncture was our stop, I
Weighed down by a large backpack, to meet me there, but I saw no signs still haven’t figured out.
and with purse and straw hat in of any waiting greeters. I walked
hand, Jennifer flew to Managua, over to the picnic table under the We hiked a mile up the muddy path
where she was met by a Peace Corps veranda – the closest thing to until we got to a corner market.
employee who drove her to the an edifice at the “airport” – and “Welcome to Las Palomas,” Jennifer
administrative office. plopped myself down. announced with pride.

First, there was a training period While I waited for Jennifer, I It’s a good thing she told me we
that involved living for two weeks wondered what I’d do if she didn’t had arrived because all I saw was
with a host family while she learned show up. We didn’t have an alternate a rickety one-room wooden shack
the Peace Corps protocols and plan. To my relief and immense with a hand-painted sign that said
made preparations for the two-year gratitude, Jennifer soon came over “Mercado.” We continued walking
placement. Jennifer requested an to me, huffing and puffing, and uphill until we stood looking up at
assignment where there hadn’t been almost knocked me over with her her house, Jennifer beaming a smile
any previous Peace Corps workers. hug. of welcome.

44 | Photo: Sarah Murray, Wikipedia