Are we there yet?

The past two days have been quite slow, full of a string of setbacks and much waiting. We were warned that transportation would be frustrating, but I anticipated that this would come later in Zambia, not so early in our journey.

It all started in Atlanta, with a bus mix-up that required us to transfer buses, leaving our luggage on a sidewalk downtown in the heat and drizzling rain for several hours. Our 16 hour flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg was delayed a bit, so upon arrival in South Africa last evening, we missed our connecting flight to Lusaka, Zambia. After spending several hours in the airport sprawled out all over the floor, Peace Corps staff were able to reserve us rooms in a nearby hotel. After one last night with a warm shower and comfortable bed, we are back at the airport in Johannesburg waiting on our flights. Our group of 58 has been split up, some having caught an earlier flight to Lusaka, others waiting for the evening flight, and still others waiting on standby. I was one of the lucky ones to secure a ticket on the evening flight tonight, so, if I keep my fingers crossed, later today I will finally set foot in Zambia!

I still do not feel like I am in Africa. Being confined to the airport feels more like being stuck in an upscale mall. We are taunted by picture books in the gift shops depicting Victoria Falls and safari scenes, and I think that everyone is chomping at the bit to get to our final destination. We have explored as much of the airport as we can, lugging around our heavy carry-ons, and bought some of the local junk food. My chutney flavor Simba Chips being my first taste of Africa : )

The long fight went surprisingly well. I was seated directly in the center of my row, which wasn’t too bad as I had other volunteers on either side of me. One of my seatmates let me lean on his shoulder for a bit, which was very sweet, considering the possibility of me drooling all over him. He assured me that he had his poncho with him just in case I got out of hand, but luckily he didn’t have to use it : ) The food wasn’t too great, but edible, and the flight attendants couldn’t have been any nicer. I got up several times towards the end of the flight to look out the window at the dusty landscape of Namibia and Botswana as we crossed over. It was pretty to look at, wide and vast – my first glimpse of Africa!

I will let you know when I finally reach Zambia! Until then, I will stand guard over a sleeping group of fellow volunteers in the airport, as I am the only person still awake!

Thanks for reading! Hope you all are well : )

BIG Sigh of Relief!

I arrived in Atlanta today for “staging,” Peace Corps pre-departure orientation. I have met some AMAZING people and feel like we have a really great and supportive group. Saying goodbye to my family this morning was very difficult, but meeting people that are feeling exactly as I am has made what could have been a really terrifying day, a really wonderful and relieving experience.

Sorry to be so brief, but I have to get my beauty rest before heading out tomorrow! I will let you know when I arrive on Thursday!

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!

Here is my first Peace Corps photo!!!

FREAKING OUT!!!

I have cried at least once each day for the past 5 days. The stress of preparation and saying goodbye has proven to be very difficult. I have been assured by returned volunteers that the first part of this journey will be the worse though, and I am hopeful that they are correct. I think that once I get to Zambia and get busy settling in and eventually find a routine, things will be better. I am still very excited to be embarking in such an incredible experience, and know that this is an opportunity I would never want to pass up.

I have included my mailing address during training to the right. I have heard that during the first 8-9 weeks, internet access is spotty, so contact via letter writing is suggested. If you feel like sending a letter to a land far far away, get out your stationary and get creative! I will appreciate hearing from you : )

I have to bring this post to a quick close, as I need to go wrestle with my suitcase for the rest of the day. Next time I write, I will probably be in Zambia!

Take care while I’m away!

Love,

Salley

I just don’t know what to do with myself…

It has been a while since I have last updated, so I feel like I should at least put something on the page (for all my fans out there, you know - thanks for reading, Mom). It is about time for the obligatory “COUNTDOWN!” post that so many soon-to-be Peace Corps Trainees include on their blogs as departure looms nearer, so here’s mine:

Two weeks to go, and I am surprisingly calm. I’m at the beach with my family and find myself at a loss as to what I should be doing. The past month has been spent rushing around gathering info about Zambia, filling out PC paperwork, having a ridiculous number of passport-sized photos made, buying gear I think I will need (despite all the disapproving remarks from friends who fear that I am taking more than is necessary – and yes, just so you Debbie Downers know, my Aveda hair products are essential, and they will find their way onto the plane no matter what), settling money and legal matters at home, eating (as discussed in my previous post), seeing friends and family here and there, and studying for my exam to become a Registered Dietitian (which I passed last Monday, Yippee! That’s one less thing to worry about upon my return to the states in 27 months!).

I think that because I have been pretty tied up over the last several weeks, I don’t even know what to do with myself now that I have some down time. I think I’m just going to go with it, sit back, and enjoy my last bit of time at home. It might be quite a while before I am given the opportunity to just sit and do nothing. I am looking forward to seeing one of my best friends who is flying in from NYC tomorrow, and hanging out with other buddies and family at home before I leave. Perhaps I’ll practice packing my suitcase, or setting up my tent.

I also want to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who has helped me prepare for my adventure. Because of the things I was able to purchase with your help, I feel so much better prepared for Zambia. And your kind words of encouragement will remind me, each day I am over there, of why I decided to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer, and give me comfort in knowing others are thinking of me back home. Thank you for supporting me, and in doing so, also showing your support of the Peace Corps!