Welcome to the Peace Corps family!
Today was our official first day of work. It was quite simple, we sat in a conference room and listened to a returned PC volunteer (RPVC) explain the main goals and guidelines of the Peace Corps, with the interspersed interactive activity to get to know our fellow volunteers. Considering the material, the RPCV was very engaging and got us excited about service. After 6 hours of that, a group of 7 of us went around the corner to an Ethiopian restaurant for our last meal in the United States. It is so strange to finally be in Washington with all of these people I have been so excited to meet, just hours before our departure to El Salvador.
Last night my East Coast family picked me up from the Reagan airport, and helped me get all of my 120lbs of luggage with me back to my hotel. Then we went to a corner cafe for hot chocolate while my Aunt shared her contraband homemade delicious oatmeal cherry cookies. Although our time was brief, it was great to see some more family before I head off to the unknown.
As for the other volunteers, we make up a total of 13, and I really like each and every one of them. We are a diverse group, but all young in our 20's, and all so eager in anticipation for what's to come. There are 10 girls, 3 boys, and I am the lone vegetarian.
Tomorrow morning we head out at 2:30am for Reagan airport, and are on a flight to Miami at 6. We get into El Salvador at 1pm, and are to be greeted by the in-country staff and taken by bus to our first stop in El Salvador--Antiguo Cuscatlan.
As most of you know, my communication situation is a bit of a question mark at this point, and I have no clue how easy it will be for me to plug in. I am hoping to get into contact with you all soon after arriving and settling in my new home, but remember that if you don't hear from me for a while it is because I am so engulfed in all of the exciting new changes and beautiful sites, that my computer can't possibly lure me away.
I hope you are all doing well, I look forward to sharing the first bit of my adventure as soon as it begins!
Sending love from D.C.!
Hey, girl, it sounds like your first day went well! I am so glad you've met other volunteers who, like you, are excited, anxious and eager. I hope the trip to El Salvador is easy and the landing smooth in the new country you are about to explore.
ReplyDeleteWe will be patient waiting word - but thinking of you!
Much love, K