I've basically been reading Dorian in Africa's blog for the past three days trying to figure out what being in Guinea might really, truly be like. I think I need to stop. Going in with any sort of expectations will just lead me to feel overconfident or disappointed, and at best I'll feel informed. I think it's just healthier for me to embrace the unknown without reading everyone elses' experiences. As my dad says "Stay curious". Curiosity is not something I've ever been lacking, so that shouldn't be hard. I'm going to take all the things I've read, file them in to "Things I Might Encounter" and leave them there. I don't want to have preconceived notions about what village life will be like, or how my cell service will be, or how much blogging I'll be able to do.
I finished Eat, Pray, Love today (Thanks, Steph!) after chipping away at it all semester, and I really like the attitude toward life that Liz gains in her travels. Finding balance, finding pleasure, finding connection in silence and solitude. I will seek to do those in this experience.
Right now, I don't feel very peaceful. My stomach feels unsettled often when I think about all the things I need to pack, when I debate the things I want to bring, when I think about the preparations that need to be done and the things I will miss while I'm gone.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Le début
I will be going to Guinea with Peace Corps shortly after the 4th of July, so I thought I'd start a blog so that I can get some information out before I leave.
I know you're all just dying to send me mail and packages, so my address is:
Mary [my last name], PCV (or PCT for mail to arrive before Septemberish)
s/c Corps de la Paix
B. P. 1927
Conakry, Guinée
This will be my address the entire 27 months because mail doesn't work very well there. All our mail goes to the capital and then Peace Corps will bring my mail to my site about once a month. Still, please send me mail as often as possible! I promise to write back!
More detailed mailing instructions can be found at an old PCV's blog (http://dorianinafrica.blogspot.com/2008/11/epic-mailing-guidelines-post.html) it's a good idea to read it before sending it. She did a great job putting this together.
I'm excited but terrified and I can't wait for this whole adventure to start!
I know you're all just dying to send me mail and packages, so my address is:
Mary [my last name], PCV (or PCT for mail to arrive before Septemberish)
s/c Corps de la Paix
B. P. 1927
Conakry, Guinée
This will be my address the entire 27 months because mail doesn't work very well there. All our mail goes to the capital and then Peace Corps will bring my mail to my site about once a month. Still, please send me mail as often as possible! I promise to write back!
More detailed mailing instructions can be found at an old PCV's blog (http://dorianinafrica.blogspot.com/2008/11/epic-mailing-guidelines-post.html) it's a good idea to read it before sending it. She did a great job putting this together.
I'm excited but terrified and I can't wait for this whole adventure to start!
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