Setting the Stage

The past weeks and days have been full of so many emotions, packing and repacking (and repacking again, ultimately leaving me with two 49.5 lb bags and two carry on items..), and trying to take in every moment.  With the list of things to do and people to see, it hasn’t really hit me that I am leaving for 27 months.  As the plane took of out of Denver yesterday and I got one last look at the Rocky Mountains, that is when it really began to sink in. I will miss the mountains of Colorado and my friends and family immensely, but am embracing all the new that is about to come. 

Staging has come and gone in a flash, and I embraced each moment because I knew it would fly by; I met G12, the group of about 60 Peace Corps Volunteers (a mix of health volunteers and environmental volunteers), who will be my family for the next 27 months.  A group of incredibly friendly, like-minded people, who are in this together with me and are extremely supportive.

I am so happy and thrilled to be embarking on this journey to Ethiopia in just a few hours, as we will need to get up at 4 am, to check out of the hotel at 4:30 am.  A direct 12.5 hour flight will get us to Ethiopia around 7 am on Wednesday, where hopefully the adrenaline and excitement will leave me feeling well rested for an 11 am training.  A high of 75 every day for the next week.... not bad:)

For now, Selam (Peace!)

Our group of 10 people at dinner: a delicious last supper of classic American food with wonderful ladies!!

Staging has come and gone! A memorable day that I truly will never forget.