June 7, 2010
As I sit here on the backporch in North Carolina, I listen to the neighbor mow the yard and watch the birds come up to the feeders, taking a few sunflower seeds at a time. The mosquitos are tearing up my legs and it is just preparing me for Honduras, but I am trying to save my DEET for when I'll really need it. I just got finished filling out all the staging paperwork for the Peace Corps, which is like applying all over again. In order to make sure I get my $$$ back on items I assume will be stolen on a chicken bus at some point, I went ahead and bought into their insurance program. I don't know why I am so sure something will get stolen, I have backpacked across this region before safe and sound; it just feels different and I eagerly await the day a group of young banditos tries to take all my lempiras.
Anyway, I spent a good two hours today at the Clayton Goodwill, seeking out "business casual" clothing made of linen, nylon, and anything else that doesn't make me sweat like a pig and then dries quickly. After spending $19, I decided my new Peace Corps wardrobe was complete and came home to pack it up. That's when I found my American Tourister luggage all beat to hell from my last trip to Panama and the closest replacement wheel in Virginia Beach, VA. Next, I headed to the USPS and mailed myself a package in Honduras, just to test the waters and see how long it would take and how much it would cost. An extra large, padded envelope full of food (oatmeal, parmesian cheese, breakfast granola bars) cost $20...I will treasure each oat like it's the last one I ever eat. $20 is like $2,000 lempiras and who knows what the hell I could buy with that? Anything but oatmeal, which leads me to justify its shipping.
So, a bunch of people have been asking me questions, like where will I live and what will I eat? To calm your fears about me being sent off and having to live on guinea pig in the middle of the Ecuadorian mountains again, the Peace Corps has written a little handbook for friends and family. I have attached a link here:
http://multimedia.peacecorps.gov/multimedia/pdf/faf/homefront.pdf
At 34 pages, I don't expect you to read all of it, but if you make it to page 5 let me know if it helps.
A lot of people have also asked what I would like sent to me in the mail, so I created a wish list: peanut butter, easymac, French Vanilla coffeemate, Nature Valley granola bars, fruit roll up treats, trail mix, dried fruit, dried cereal, oatmeal, spreadable cheese, jerky, packets to make the water taste better, raumen noodles, tuna fish, pictures, cards, books, magazines. I am grateful for all of your love and support and for the time you take to mail a letter or package my way! Thank you so much! I also found this cool website http://www.minimus.biz/default.aspx It has all kinds of travel sized stuff for sending.
The going away party is set for June 19, so I can't wait to see you all then!
1 comment:
Hi Jenifer! Sounds like you are almost all ready to go. Couple comments on your wishlist:
-Hondurans love oatmeal..you´ll find it in every store, even the smallest.
-Canned tuna can be found easily as well (and sardines are very popular)
-Ramen noodles are again found in every single store
-And the water tastes completely normal..most families buy bottled or have a purifying system and there is no weird aftertaste, but gatorade powder is a good idea just for something different every now and then
Good luck packing!
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