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1965
Only a couple of weeks after graduating from college we packed up and went off to New York for Peace Corps training
We were only allowed 1 suitcase when we went to New York. We packed most of our stuff, mostly books and took them to my parents where they stayed there for about 6 years. We did not have a lot. The trailer was furnished. It was a small dinky, pink trailer and it was ugly with a white picket fence around it. There were two lawn chairs that we would sit in outside. We did not do much dreaming about the future. I became a dreamer when I got to Africa. I spent that summer regretting not going to graduate school. I don’t know what Fione’s feelings were about the matter. To me it was something to try. Don’t get me wrong, it not was something that I was against doing. I mean going to New York was more exotic than going to Africa. The Pope’s visit and the Blackout occurred that fall. Being able to buy the Sunday New York Times at midnight on Saturday night was great.
My family was against it, my father in particular. He could not figure out why I wanted to go. Because it was his idea that I go to law school; there were lawyers in my family, a federal judge, and this sort of got in the way. My dad never achieved what he wanted to do and tried to live vicariously through me. One side of the family was successful lawyers along with all of the status symbols that go with it- community involvement in the Saginaw Club, a Country club style of living. I remember the day that I told my family. Oh not exactly, it was in the spring. We drove up to Saginaw, though I honestly do not remember much of it. We saw Fione’s mother as well, not her dad because she was estranged from her father. He probably was around the house and he would most likely be in another part of the house watching TV. He would not be part of the conversation. Her mom’s reaction was that she sort of basically accepted it, resigned , passive, I don’t think she ever gave her blessing, her mother never reacted strongly about things one way or another. I don’t remember her father caring either. We usually stayed at my parents in those days. My dad grumbled but did not get mad at us. But his idea was to get over it, get back and then go to law school. No one was going to pay for law school but I would get through with loans and scholarships.
My image of myself, I think I had already in my own mind that I did not want to do law but teach at university. So when I came back I would get PhD. I have always thought of myself as an academic. I’m a person who is interested in books and interested in studying. Fione Marie Picard (her maiden name) was a psychologist. She was interested in social behavior. She looked the part. She was sort of slouched, she did not stand up straight; I think she might of felt that she was little to bit tall. I think she was a little bit taller than me. She had dark hair, glasses, a roundish face. Somewhat stocky, she became stocky in later years. She had Big hips; a little bit clumsy but very smart. She sometimes appeared clumsy and would stumble. She wanted to go into the Peace Corps and I was going to go with her. To all of our family and friends this appeared to work for us but my interests in the Peace Corps before I left was very limited.
New Thoughts to think about. Images of my time in Uganda.
Tuesday the 26thof November was the beginning of the S4 exam.
Left Uganda after three years on December 11.
Matoke was 30 shillings a bunch (about $4.00) Charcoal 8 sh. ($1.00). Meet, a kilo was shillings 100. Fruit 20 sh.