Hi folks, I am taking advantage of the internet access at our hotel one last time before we depart tomorrow. We've packed (repacked, I should say) our bags along with the heavy-duty sleeping bags, smoke detectors, water filters and medical kits we've been issued and are excited to move in with our first host families.
Orientation Week has gone well. I am getting to know my fellow trainees better, feeling slightly more comfortable with basic phrases in Azeri (thanks to 2 hours a day with Sabina and Elshad), and understanding a little more about what it will mean to be a Peace Corps trainee and volunteer. My body has not quite adjusted to the new time zone (10 hours from home), so I am a bit tired. Nonetheless, I am excited about jumping in to the next phase!
As I mentioned before, I will be grouped in a "cluster" of a few other volunteers who are also in the Community Economic Development (CED) Program. We will spend 4 hours a day working on language and culture with Elshad followed by afternoons with our fellow CED trainees for pratical training and exercises. From a rough map of the community where we will be living, it will be easy to get around and in the afternoons, we will only have to take a short bus ride to meet up with the other CEDs. I think our community may also have an internet cafe! I have not idea what to expect at the moment, so I find it best to try not to expect anything and be pleasantly surprised. ;)
On a side note, due to Peace Corps policy, I may have to make this website password-protected. If that is the case, the password will be my first name. I apologize in advance for the inconvenience if it comes to that, but I will do my best to ensure that checking in on my blog is easy and convenient.
5 comments:
hey welcome to azerbaijan!
watch out for hairy kisses from old ladies.
heh :-)
look forward to meeting you.
cheers!!
www.mcmacdonald.wordpress.com
colleen
WOO HOO! Andrea, I am so excited for you! I can't wait to hear more. More than that, I can't wait for you to experience all that God has for you in this time! I love the quotes you listed in your earlier post. They are inspiring for me as well!
I will be praying for you! This is amazing!
it's cool to hear how things are starting off! hoping for an internet cafe...
Andrea - I'm so glad that you made it there safely and are having a great time already. I love the picture and I'm looking forward to getting updates on this page in the future (hopefully!). We miss you!
Kate
I love you, Gee! You are going to have a fantastic experience. You are always in our prayers. And, oddly enough, last night you were in my dreams. If I can't have my Gee-time in person, I will just have to settle for it in my sleep. I hope you are doing well.
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