Site Visit

Just got back from shadowing at Cliff Okada's site in Zimbodvwe, a second year volunteer. He's got a couple good projects going on, and a few that he's not so satisfied with. He's doing real well and doing some good things for his community. He COS's in a few months (close of service). I really just wanted to be settled in like he is and start working, but I know I have to get through training and get more fluent in SiSwati. We are sworn in when August comes around.

Food here is good, they eat a lot of meat. Cliff had a braii with the Swazi guys last night, just beer, a huge fire, and a lot of pork. It was pretty sweet. Training resumes Monday.

Finally in Swaziland

Wanted to post an update even though I have 4 min. left on my Internet cafe time. We made it to Swaziland safely. I'm in Mbabane. Peace Corps is great, everything is pretty well-organized. I am excited about starting language training so that we can really start working on this HIV problem. We get matched to host families next weekend, with whom we will be for the next two months for training. After that we will get matched to the sites where we'll work for the next two years as Volunteers. Take care!

-mw

Goodbyes

I said my last goodbyes today. I met up with Herna and Blaine. While we were waiting for Blaine, Hernz and I met up with Ken's mom at her Buddhist temple, and she gave me a meaningful CD and wished me well. I thought that was pretty nice of her. The temple is peaceful and it smells nice. After the temple, Blaine, Herna and I went for pho and then shaved ice topped with random stuff for dessert.

I've been logging ~5 hours of sleep per night all week, with packing, cleaning the house and tying up loose ends. Gah, it feels like Tech all over again, in terms of sleep-deprivation. There's a lot more stuff that needs to be done prior to traveling than I had previously considered. I hope I brought all that I need. I think I brought too much though - checking in just under 80 pounds of gear, not even counting my ginormous hiking pack.

My mom cried tonight, briefly. It almost made me not want to go. My plane leaves in a few hours though, so I'd better get some sleep. I'll talk to yall later, who knows when. Hopefully soon.