Halfway There

Hey Hey folks. I am in Philly getting ready to board our bus to JFK. The orientation here went really well and was very organized. The people are extremely driven, smart and entertaining. There is so short-supply of unique personalities. I have decided to remove my "Cashin' Out" blog so as not to offend anyone reading this webpage, since from this point on it will be mostly informative and less opinionated - which was the original plan. I will be out of touch for at least 6 weeks and maybe more. So good luck to you all in whatever it is you are doing. Signing out. Peace.

Gone, Going

Well, it is 3 days until I take off for Philadelphia and then to Niger. I will be attending orientation meetings from Tuesday until Thursday and then it is "wheels up" to Niger. After we get settled in at our training ground, I have been told not to contact anyone for 5 weeks. So I will be lucky to have gotten to a computer in that time. So please be patient when checking this site, because I don't know how often I'll be able to get to it.

A list of most things I am taking:
2 pairs of shorts
2 pairs of synthetic pants
some synthetic and cotton t-shirts
Pocket knives - compliments of John A. Foley
GPS device
Digital camera
iPod
Solar charger for all of my elec. equip.
Frisbees
Soccer Ball
Guitar
Really good books
Rugged sandals
A solar-charged bug repeller
Batteries
Journal
Pictures
Anti-bacterial wipes
Protein bars
Crayons and other gifts for my host family (including a Pacers shirt)
Hats and sunglasses
Sleeping bag
Flashlights
and most importantly: Duct tape

Supposedly many people overpack for the Peace Corps, and I don't think I am one of them. This should all fit in one big bag. They dress conservatively where I'll be, so I can mostly expect to be wearing pants and button up shirts (and to be doing a lot of laundry). The temperature averages about 90 degrees during the year; getting up to 120 in April and May and then as low as 40 at night during the winter. So basically I am going to lose 20 pounds in water weight, and then some. French is the national language of Niger. I hope to be fluent in a few months time. We also have to learn a local language - Hausa or Zarma- while training in our first 3 months. After 3 months of training and living with a host family, I then set sail for my own village where I will live on my own - most likely in a hut.

Although nervous at times, overall I am very excited to embark on this adventure. The hardest thing I am leaving behind are most definately friends and FAMILY. I love you all dearly. And remember (as I try to do) that I'll be gone 2 years, not forever! So this is my last blog from the States.

A bientot