Three weeks down

Hello again,
Here in Kampala for a few hours on our way to the Mukono District. Thought I'd pick up some items...a new camera, some stamps, find a shop to print photos. Yeah, some guy helped me break my camera so if I plan on taking any shots I either need a long slender screwdriver or an inexpensive newly purchased camera. Either way, it's annoying.
Now that I'm writing this I realized what other things I need to get done on the Internet...loans and banking.
Packing for five days it quite difficult when asked to bring stuff for running, the mosquito net that is ever essential, and clothes enough where I shouldn't have to wash too much thinking a basin nor iron will be very accessible.
Living without electricity or running water in the context of Uganda seems pretty normal, they have a pretty good system of Jerry cans and charcoal. The food is filling, but not necessarily nutritional, however, me being the starch eater that I am, I'm doing quite well...for the most part...don't think my digestive tract has quite caught on to the new diet though...but it has been only three weeks. Only three weeks...wow, may not see that long, but PC sure knows how to pack in the information. Good thing I have it all (most) written down.
This week, language immersion; we get to practice what we know and pick up on some that we may not know. Should be good. We will be shadowing a volunteer, getting the inside scoop on what we will are training to become in two months.
Some day I may get some pictures for you to see, but not yet...you'll have to patient along with me because I'd like to see some of the photos I have taken as well.

Until next time.

Kampala

We made it to Uganda safe and sound (for the most part) and have been spoiled for the past few days. We soon begin the next phase of intense learning as we prepare to go out into the field. We have a great group of trainees ready to get to work.
Hope all is well back in the States.

Don't have much of anything to say right now, but it is definitely going to be an experience. Kampala has all the conveniences of home--maybe not the way we're used to, but we are talking about a different country.

Until next time.

Here We Go

Good morning (while I can still say that in this time zone ;-)

We are checking out of here and should be leaving in just over 1 hour.
This will probably be one of the last posts I will be able to give you for a while.
Our group of 43 had an enjoyable time during our pre-departure training and short exploration of the historic district of historic Philadelphia...I took a few pictures of some of the historic buildings too. Okay, one more historic and I'll be done.

Trip time: estimated 18 hours: ~8 to Europe, 10 to Africa, and a 3 hour layover in between. Bet you wanna come too now right.

Side note--think my bags are getting heavier the closer we get to Africa...or maybe it is proportional to the length of flight...I am going to be very, very strong when I get there heh.

Until Next Time...

It's time

Well...
I'm at the airport waiting for my flight to leave...in about 45 minutes.
It may sound crazy, but what is going to be happening in the next 27 months has not quite hit me yet. I know it's going to happen, but I still feel disconnected from the idea that I will not be 4 or 7 or 9 hours away from home...not even just across the pond, but across the pond and then some.
I am glad I got to see/talk to all of you whom I was able to get in contact with. I will surely miss you...but know my mom printed off pictures upon pictures, so I will at least not forget what you look like.
Packing...still don't know how to pack for 2 years. The few clothes I brought...along with other necessities surely took up a bunch of room for some reason. I am pretty proud of myself though...the luggage did not weigh nearly a ton, in fact my baggage is actually under weight. Yippee for me. The down side is I still have to lug it around...yes, yes, I know it is my own doing-and so far so good. Airport employees are pretty nice in the morning...even when getting randomly selected to get patted down. This experience might as well have been a first for that as it is a first for many many more adventures to come.

Until next time.

7 Days

In exactly 1 week I will be in Philadelphia along will all my fellow PC trainees preparing for our next to years in Uganda. Amazing.
I don't really have much to write about now, but I can pretty much guarantee something interesting within the next few months.
Right now I can just imagine what it will be like: the beauty of the country, the hospitality of the people, and all the new friends I'm traveling half way the world to meet.

Until next time.

Just Around the Bend

My Peace Corps adventure is about to begin. I know these next few weeks are going to fly by and at the beginning of August I will be flying as well. I know my biggest challenge will deciding exactly what to take and what I will foresee needing for the next 2 years (not that I won't have access to items).
I am seriously considering not taking my laptop; it would be one less relatively expensive item I would not have to keep track of. That just means more paper to write everything needing recorded. Any other thoughts?
I will be getting my hair chopped within the next week. I am so glad I visited my undergraduate professors...needed to hear the practical side that I seemed to be overlooking: shorter hair=less water required to wash.

Until later.

Preparation

The time is ever getting less as August 2nd quickly approaches.
I am working to get some items of business completed before I leave for my extended trip to a place thousands of miles away.
Getting ready. Attempting to get ready anyway. Not sure if anyone can be truly ready for a lengthy excursion to an unknown place, a place I have not experienced.
I do know flexibility and patience will be my companions, for without them the experience may not be all the adventure is meant to be.