Hello Family, Friends, Admirers, and Friendly Neighborhood Stalkers!
I've been getting lots of logistics-related questions, and since I love logistics, I figured I'd devote my first post to addressing your most frequently asked questions.
When are you leaving??
I am skedaddling from the great state of Louisiana on June 3rd. But don't worry! I'm only going to Philadelphia. We have an orientation thing on the 4th, and then we leave the U.S. on the 5th. We fly to Brussels and then from there to Burkina Faso.
UM, how long are those flights?!
You know, I'm not exactly sure. I can't change them though, so I figure there's no real advantage to counting...I'll find out!
What will you be doing?
First, I will be learning French. Then, I'll learn how to teach science, and then how to teach science in French! We have three months of training before officially becoming Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) - until then, we're just lowly trainees (PCTs).
Where are you living?
During training, I'll live with a host family in a village near the training site in Leo. Right near the end of training, I'll find out my site assignment, where I'll have my own house!
How can I get in touch with you?
Ah, let me count the ways...
1. Comment on this blog! Make me feel popular.
2. Email me. If you're a true friend, you'll have my email address. If you want to take the plunge to the friends list, send me your email address somehow (comment here, facebook, smoke signal, carrier pigeon) and if I approve your request, I'll email you.
Mutual selection process, ya know.
3. Facebook me!
4. The old fashioned way:
Chloe Williams, Peace Corps Trainee
01 BP 6031
Ouagadougou 01
Burkina Faso
*See the page called "wanna send me stuff??" for more info/tips of the trade! Also, this address is only good during my training period - aka until August. I'll let ya know (and update "wanna send me stuff??") when I get my permanent address.
5. le téléphone! (see, this French thing will be fiiiine)
Once I arrive, I'll get a sim card for my phone (which I will be bringing). I'll let y'all know what the number is and everything, but I'll also have Viber so we can!! I don't really know how it works, but I hear it's great. Mom, Viber is for texting. Ask Tess or Louis to figure it out for you.
How often will you be updating this thing? Slash responding to my emails?
Such a simple question, but not such a simple answer...there's really no telling at this point. It depends on two things: internet connectivity (which will be limited and spotty at best) and electricity (which will be even more limited). SO, I'll keep you posted. I would imagine that I'll be able to respond to emails (from my phone) more frequently than I'm able to post detailed updates on the blog (from my computer).
When are you coming hooooome??
Ahh, the million dollar question. The short answer: most likely not until August-ish of 2016.
Peace Corps service is for 27 months (at least). I begin accruing vacation days when I officially become a PCV in August. I would love to come home at some point, but to be honest, it'd be cheaper (in terms of both time and money) to travel around Africa or even to Europe rather than to come home for a few days.
Plus, I think I'd hate myself in a few years if I didn't take the opportunity to travel to cool places while I was already on the other side of the world.
I know the suspense is killing you, but you'll just have to wait for the answers to these questions:
How are you spending your last days in the U.S.?!
What are you bringing??
What do you wear?
What will you eat?
Where will you pee? (lololol)
xo, chlo
