I knew before coming to Cameroon that people from the coasts made up the majority of Peace Corps volunteers, but I was still a little taken aback by their sheer numbers upon arriving at training last May. We went around the room like the first day of school introducing ourselves with name, education, where we're from. New York. San Diego. New Jersey. Los Angeles. As the introductions went on I felt a bit like a personification of the Midwest--surrounded, bordered on both sides by coasts, cultures I recognized as American but not entirely like my own.
Out of 37 of us, four were representing the heartland: Lucas, from Green Bay; Alex and Joyce, a married couple from Illinois; and myself. Of course, I immediately accepted them as my people.
Not to suggest that I have a regional prejudice--I loved hearing stories about growing up in L.A., and one of my best friends from training is from South Carolina--but there's something strangely comforting talking about Hy Vee or Kum & Go when both of those things are half a world away. So although I had never been particularly proud of my origins, and had even occasionally referred to my hometown as "Dead Moines," it was in Cameroon that I began to proudly fly the flag of the Midwest.
Which is where Raygun enters the scene. Founded as Smash during my high school years, the Des Moinesian clothier and screenprinter had played a role in my sartorial life ever since, with t-shirts emblazoned with fiercely Midwestern slogans like "Des Moines: Hell yes" or "Iowa City: all of our creativity went into the name."
In the last few years, they've extended their inventory to include books, prints, and city-themed sweatshirts inspired by ugly Christmas sweaters. Seeing as I was living a continent away and next door to the Equator, I clearly needed this sweater in my life, so I asked my lovely Midwestern mother to keep me in mind should said article go on sale.
That was in December, and I thought little of it afterwards. Then, unexpectedly, a small white package arrived in Ngaoundere bearing my name and, in all caps, the word "RAYGUN." Inside, I found this:
Why wear your heart on your sleeve when you can wear it across your chest?
As if this delightful gift didn't warm my heart enough (literally--this thing is super cozy and comfy), I was then informed that my days of haunting the store back in high school had been rewarded. Having heard my request from the aforementioned mother, the kind folks (yes, the Midwestern stereotype of unfailing politeness is true) at Raygun sent one my way. At their own expense.
It baffles me sometimes when I think of the people I've never met or barely know who are supporting me from so far away. I can't begin to say how much I appreciate it, especially on days when I feel like I'm not accomplishing anything or not progressing quickly enough. I see all the people who are cheering on some girl from Iowa who decided to try to teach people on the other side of the world, and it warms my heart. Sometimes, literally.
