Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Today we move to Africa

It was incredibly difficult saying goodbye to our families and friends, but it's exciting to start this chapter of our life. Most everyone has been supportive, which makes all the difference as we prepare for two years and two months without electricity, running water, regular internet access, or family & friends.

We're in Philadelphia for Staging, which is basically a day of setting expectations and getting yellow fever vaccines (more shots given in host country) before flying to Burkina Faso. Our Staging group is fairly large -- 57 volunteers in total with another 20 or so Education volunteers in country -- and diverse in terms of background, age, relationship status, and experience. We've been enjoying the "last times" as much as we can -- hot showers, soft beds, American food (chocolate, cheese, and good beer :) ). We'll post more later since we're packing up now for the next leg of our trip -- bus to JFK (3 hrs), flight to Paris (8 hrs), airport wait (4-5 hrs), flight to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (5 hrs), then shuttle to our hotel. We'll be living with a host family for the next two months of training in Ouahigouya.

Today we move to Africa. It still doesn't seem real.

6 comments:

  1. Glad you guy are enjoying the time before you depart. That seems like a very wise/healthy thing to do. Good luck with the travels.

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  2. I hope you have fun with your host family. I've heard that can be a really good time. I'm glad that you two have each other.

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  3. I'm surprised by the size of your staging group!

    Hope you guys made it and are settling in well.

    -John

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  4. Hi guys!
    I saw on FB that you two were moving to Africa.

    I just wanted to wish you and James all the best of luck! It is extremely admirable of you two. Not many people can be this unselfish - myself included.


    Wishing you all the best,
    Irene

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  5. What a wonderful experience for you both. You will have lots of stories to tell your grandchildren some day! Remember the instructions you learned in Kindergarten: Hold hands and stay together!

    xoxox Nikki

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  6. Sounds like a lot of hours will be spent just getting there. Hope all goes well for you and I will be reading your blogs.

    Good luck,
    Austin Williams
    Davenport, IA

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