My First Days in Guinea

I've been in Guinea for about 5 days, and so far, so good. Although, we have been somewhat sheltered because we've pretty much only been in the Peace Corps compound so far. The city we're in, Conakry, is exactly how it is sterotyped in the movies.. crazy, dirty, no sewage/trash system, little children (often naked) running around. My big adventure since we're been here was go to the local market with the previous volunteers who know their way around. It was chaotic and all the trainees and myself returned a little scared and culture shocked. They sell everything there from food to shoes to microwaves.. anything you need! While we were out walking around, the groups of african children yell "Fote! Fote" at us, meaning "white person, white person" and another kid got scared and starting crying when he saw all of us. All you can really do it laugh at it. Our compound is literally right on the beach, it's a beautiful scene, but unfortunately, the entire beach is covered with trash, so you can't really go on the beach and definately not in the water. You're just asking for diarrhea if you do that.

We've had alot of training so far, we're training 8-5 daily, which is about 4 - 1.5 hour sessions, 3 meals, and a few tea breaks. The sessions cover everything from how to speak french, how to speak the local language (called Susu, and no, it doesn't involve clicks haha), safety, cross cultural training, and other things like that. Today, we learned how to squat to poop into a pit latrine and how to wash your butt with your hand and to use a water can to rinse it off... always a good tool to have hah.

I have to say, I'm already sick of the food and miss american fast food (gabs, you know i miss this haha). For breakfast we have a baguette with peanut butter, jelly and butter, and a hard boiled egg with tea or coffee. For lunch, we have rice with different types of sauce, usually something red and spicy. I really don't know what it is. For dinner, we have rice and sauces again, but with meat. It seems in africa they have 2 kinds of meat.. fish or "viande" (french for meat), so I often have no idea what the "meat" is. The fish is a whole fish (head, scales, and teeth!) usually floating in the sauce. I am still a little scared of the meat, but I eat it anyway and it's usually good.. besides the occasional bone.

Tomorrow, I am headed off to a different city about 2-3 hours away from here to start our homestay portion of the training. I haven't met my family yet, so I have no idea what I'm in store for. We have our adoption ceremony tomorrow afternoon, then tomorrow night, I am off to live with a family for 3 months that I don't know and won't really be able to speak to. And i'll be pooping in a pit latrine and showering in a bucket. I'm excited though, and I can't wait to learn more and see more of the country.

That's pretty much the last few days of my life here. In the homestay village, there is no internet, so I'll be without internet for the next 3 months. I'll keep this updated and email everyone when I get a chance. Until then, write me letters :)

I miss and love everyone!

Staging

Today, I left into my first day. I said my last goodbyes to the people who matter to me most, and headed off to Philly. I'm here for staging where I met the other volunteers in my group, who are all great! We had a 4 hour orientation, where we covered the basics, like peace corps goals, policies, and then travel info for tomorrow. It was alot of group work, skits, and that kind of stuff, which I'm overall, not a big fan of, but it helped to meet the other volunteers. After that, we all met for a "last supper", which ended up being at a cuban restaurant near the hotel and then we headed off to the bar for a last drink in America (thanks Yik!). I surprised because I don't feel any bit nervous, only excited. I know this will be a really challenging 2 years, but it will be worth it in the end. I can't wait to head off tomorrow for the 24 hours of travel ahead of me to get to Guinea.
I love & miss everyone!

"One Night in Africa"

On Saturday, my amazing friends and family threw me a going away party. We thought it would be a fun idea to dress up and this was our attempt to dress as Africans ha. Some people's outfits were more similar to biblical figures or romans haha, but it was a great time! I have some of the most amazing friends anyone can ask for and I will miss them so much while I am gone!

THANK YOU!!

I've had an overwhelming amount of support from my friends and especially my family. I wanted to take a minute to thank everyone who has helped me out. I am truly lucky to have all these amazing people in my life who will support me and my dreams no matter what!

A special thank you to :

My Mom & Dad
Grandma Kathy
Grandpa Bob & Jean
Aunt Judy
Uncle Tom & Aunt Rita
Uncle Tom & Aunt Kathleen
Sue Saccuto
Lorie Rettew
Joe & Susie Malavolta
My wonderful co-workers at Great Valley OB-GYN
Grandpa Ron & Kay

Thank you!!

Bienvenue à mon blog! (Welcome to my blog!)

Hello everyone and thanks for following my adventures in Africa! This week I received my invite to officially become a Peace Corps volunteer. My invite is for Guinea, Africa, where I will be teaching secondary math (eeek.. I have catch up on my math skills!). Not only will I be teaching math, but it will be in French... talk about a challenge! But, I am truly excited to become a volunteer and submerge myself in the Guinean culture! I wonder what life will be like with no running water or electricity? I will be leaving on July 6th to Philadelphia for staging, which is like a Peace Corps orientation, then on July 8th for Guinea! I only have a month and a half to prepare for this amazing trip of a lifetime!