bradm236@yahoo.com; adam@fredsappliance.com; amy@gaborenterprises.com; bencindy@roadrunner.com; betsyloveshormel@yahoo.com; tostito@mwweb.com; c1cummin@yahoo.com; chuckhere@gmail.com; chuckhere@hotmail.com; joncummings@hotmail.com; cummings.22@osu.edu; dbartlett001@roadrunner.com; erinhall23@yahoo.com; fred@fredsappliance.com; Gusto19@hotmail.com; holla_express@yahoo.com; jugz_69@yahoo.com; jb070982@yahoo.com; jcsteinheiser@mailaaa.com; jennifers_200@hotmail.com; jess_baird@hotmail.com; jmcummings8@yahoo.com; jrbrunner1@gmail.com; kiddercn@hotmail.com; jrbaker83@yahoo.com> >
Hey y'all!!! WWAAHHHOOOOOOOOO!!! All my anxieties whisked away as soon as flight landed in Antananarivo last night at 10 PM. The first step off the plane and the first whiff of the fresh Madagascar air caused my mouth to show what felt like all 31 pearly white horses, in a background that is amazingly not so full of light pollution. The moon, with it's 1/4 turned rotation from our northern hemisphere (not sure if it's waxing or waning at the moment), smiled down right back at me:) Steve Wisecarver, our country director was the first jolly man I noticed standing right in front, as Natasha (fellow group member) and I were the first to stroll in the airport doors. Something about the entire walk outta the plan (that FINALLY got us here after 4 1/2 days of travel), down the small plane's stairs', and into the future of our life was one of the most exhilerating feeilngs I've ever experienced!I knew immediately that this is, and was always supposed to be> my> home for the next 2 1/2 years. I'm soooo excited to live amongst supposedly some of the most caring and lovable Malagasy people.> Getting the baggage out of the airport in Tana, using rollers, was soooo much easier than my experience of lugging around my 2 oversized duffel bags and 2 carry-ons all around JFK airport. My initial plan was to stick to 50 lbs but it all added up quickly and ended up with about 80. But I do have to admit, at JFK I was regretting getting talked into the XXL duffel from Elizabeth, the extra pear lotion and sheets my mom gave me, and the what seemed like 10 lbs. of duct tape that Brad insisted I take (after all if you can't duct it....____ it!!:P) But now that it's all here, I probably will be grateful to have some of these useful comforts, so it's all good. > I'm soo happy with the very hectic and tiring adventure that got myself and 19 other group members here, which will always be the magical beginning of my new life for a while. The first slums within the first few miles of the ride home from the airport and the ride in the Peace Corps cramped van, the odd smells, and the several stray dogs running the street, begging for any scraps, was my bigh AH- HAH moment- I'm in a 3rd world country for the first time. Although saddening, it also felt right for me to be here. Some of you may know that the last month or so I really have not had an appetite, maybe anxiety or maybe my body subconsciously preparing for less food, but immediately the knot subsided. This will be my job. I will love it, sometimes maybe hate it, but I know already I will always cherish it. The few PCV's (peace corps volunteer's) who greeted us here have already been helpful, as our stay at teh P.C guest house feels natural. The warm> soup,> which was very similar to our oodles n. noodles, along with cold orange juice satisfied my soul after such a long travel journey. My first semi cold shower, with the lights off was easy to handle, thanks to my 8 LED flash light, which Bradley got for me, that I conveniently hung from the shower curtain. I have finished reorganizing the 1 bag we're allowed to take to our training sites, which is where we'll be for the next 10 weeks, staying with our host families. Probably won't have internet access there, but who knows? I haven't set up a blog yet but plan to in the future. Please respond when you can, I'm sure it'll be great to get back to!! I'm now officially a "Peace Corps Trainee" and LOVE IT.> I love y'all CHEERS*****> *Jessica:)> p.s. Feel free to share with anyone you think would be interested!!;)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment