Tuesday, January 17, 2006

First Impressions

It was a short final flight (my 5th of the week) from Dakar, Senegal to Conakry, Guinea. As we began to fly over the country we could see the change from Desert climate to dense forest. Even as we neared the airport there was no visible signs of urban life, only forest cut by winding rivers. It must have been easy for the waiting PCVs and staff to recognize our arrival, we were the ONLY plane at the airport when we arrived! Walking off the plan into the sticky evening air, excited for the unknown, myself and the other 37 volunteers were glad to be finally to our new home. We spent our first night in conakry at the PC house there. Good food and a chance to sleep with our mesquito nets and air conditioning! The following day, we loaded up onto a few busses for the 7hr drive to Momou. I am was fortunate to earn the distinction of being the first volunteer sick :)...still not exactly sure what I came down with, but it did get me a seat in the landrover...much more comfortable that the busses! We've been training in Mamou at a agroforestry school for the last 4 days, the weather is great here...about 75 degrees and sunny, it's in the fouta (high plateau) region of the country. At training we've been learning a lot: the Susu language (in French), cultural standards, how to deal with being sick..a lot, and preparing for our host family life. Tomorrow we drive to our pre-service training sight in Forecahria (near the sierra leone boarder) and move in with our host families. I don't think there is any internet access in the city so it could be a while (upto 3 months) before I'm back online, but in reality we'll probably take a trip into conakry before the end of training. *Note: I would still love to get emails, and will be happy to receive them whenever I can check my mail! Well, a long line at the computers tonight...hope all is well at home. ~amy

Friday, January 06, 2006

I'm now in the final stages of packing. It seems strange to think of how much time in the past month/(s) have been devoted to this task, but it means so much more than just filling a suitcase. With every item that makes the list it means questioning what I'll really want to have when I am there. It also continues to circle back to the basic point that I have no idea what life will actually be like in Guinea.

What will I really miss most, and be the most sad to leave behind? I think it is a difficult decision because the things I most want to pack are of course those that cannot be fit into a suitcase. I will want those people who need no explanation to know how I'm feeling or what I am really thinking. I'll want the comfort associated with familiar surroundings and actually knowing how to do things independently. Packing, it becomes not such a simple task when each item crossed off the list is supposed to symbolize being one step closer to being ready to depart.

It's been an interesting few months back in Wisconsin. Saying good-bye to life in Seattle was hard. It sucked. It was made better only with the realization that I was leaving for a purpose, so that I could take on a new adventure, even if I had to wait a few months to get started. And the waiting wasn't actually a blessing in itself...for the first time in a long time I was in attendance at all family gatherings, my older brother's wedding, and the full holiday season (complete with lots of snow).

And now...I'm feeling like the time crept by so quickly...I know that 'creeping quickly' isn't a very logical way to reflect upon time. But, it's exactly how things have been going! Looking back this year has been filled with wonderful memories and significant events. Separately remembered, they seems to cover much more than one year. But, when I look back to last January when I filled out my Peace Corps application, it feels like only yesterday.

Perhaps its because I am as excited to be starting this adventure now as I was a full year ago, and perhaps its because I am trying to convince everyone around me (and myself) that two years will fly by...Even if I have very little idea of what will be occupying that time.

Guinea...8 days...Here I come!!

~amy