One Week Away

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Clayton, North Carolina

Today the packing began! A few days ago I went to grab my hideous lime green 30" American Tourister that is ripped in various pieces and I wouldn't care about getting lost or stolen on a chicken bus somewhere, when I found a broken wheel and no repair shop in the state of NC. After canvassing every Goodwill between Clayton and Chapel Hill, I purchased a new piece, only to decide that I could make 80 pounds fit into my Lowe Alpine and 26" checked bag, then carry on the rest. So, today I woke up at 5:30 AM and began. I don't really feel like I am taking that much stuff, it did fit pretty easily. One whole suitcase it dedicated to electronic gear, but I spaced it out in case it 'disappears' from my lap at any point.

The Peace Corps has notified me that I will be in a town near Zarabanda, Honduras. It's up in the mountains and I'll spend my first three weeks of training there, which probably also includes July 4. There are supposedly 57 other trainees going in my class, so we'll see how many last for two years. There is a Facebook page for our class and I have already begun to 'meet' some of them on there. It appears that everyone is eager to get to Honduras and begin working, as am I. I will enjoy the feeling of working with people again and brain stimulation.

Over the last two weeks I have been watching movies in Spanish and listening to Spanish radio non-stop. This includes 'Shrek' and 'My Best Friends Wedding,' and there is nothing more entertaining than a jacked-up donkey talking to an ogre muy rapido. My friends have also been great about taking me out and making sure I have everything I won't be able to get in Honduras...like martinis and sushi...although not in the same night, thank goodness. And, seeing as how I am so loyal, I will be working on the campaign until Friday, which means I spent all day yesterday at a NC Education Forum studying a three-inch notebook and listening to people drone on about how kids don't want to be bussed and teachers want more pay. That's it from here. Boring last minute stuff, but I wanted to keep you up to date on my departure! See you this weekend if you stop by.