My address until October:
Monica Garcia
PCT
Corps De la Paix
B.P. 85
Bamako, Mali
Sunday, June 22, 2008
2 weeks and counting
2 weeks left. To the day. My countdown went from 6 months(still living in AZ) to 3 months (living in Philly), to 1 month and now I just have 2 weeks left. Of course I have been doing the traveling thing (Glasgow, Amsterdam,Dallas,Phoenix,Albany, Lisbon, San Diego to name a few places I've been to in the last 6 weeks). You all know me, and wonder how I will deal without being able to hop on an airplane whenever I feel like it when I'm in Africa. Well, this is my reality: I will be in a brand new continent/country/city/town. There will be so many things for me to explore and it will take me a while to feel comfortable and confident in my new home. I know also that I will travel the second that I get any opportunity. Africa is a huge land mass...one that is just waiting for me to explore her!
I am not ready to leave, but I don't know if one is ever ready to leave their family, friends, and familiarity. I go knowing that this is an amazing opportunity, one that I've always wanted to realize.
I've been really lucky to travel with my brother over the last month. Our latest trip was Lisbon, Portugal. I highly recommend traveling there. What a beautiful country with really nice people.
Mary B. was just here for the week. She really helped me pack some things away, but now I have to start packing my bags. Exciting and sad. I kinda feel like I"m just going on a long vacation- it will be hot and there will be palm trees there! Oh yeah-I'm packing my hammock from Nicaragua too. When there is a hammock in the area, you know it's relaxing:-)
I still have to purchase some things: my fan, a journal,more cotton underwear...
If anyone wants to send me anything, pictures are always great! Ones that are printed out. People in other countries always ask about your (my) family and friends. With pictures, I can show you off!
I am not ready to leave, but I don't know if one is ever ready to leave their family, friends, and familiarity. I go knowing that this is an amazing opportunity, one that I've always wanted to realize.
I've been really lucky to travel with my brother over the last month. Our latest trip was Lisbon, Portugal. I highly recommend traveling there. What a beautiful country with really nice people.
Mary B. was just here for the week. She really helped me pack some things away, but now I have to start packing my bags. Exciting and sad. I kinda feel like I"m just going on a long vacation- it will be hot and there will be palm trees there! Oh yeah-I'm packing my hammock from Nicaragua too. When there is a hammock in the area, you know it's relaxing:-)
I still have to purchase some things: my fan, a journal,more cotton underwear...
If anyone wants to send me anything, pictures are always great! Ones that are printed out. People in other countries always ask about your (my) family and friends. With pictures, I can show you off!
Saturday, June 7, 2008
1 Month Left!
Damn. I just erased my whole blog I just wrote....it is going to take me some time to get used to blogging.
So, here is a shortend version of what I just wrote.
I'm in Scottsdale on a trip with USAirways. I'm getting my Flight Attendant kicks out before I go. I'm off to Tampa tonight, then Denver on Sunday night. What a life!?
Now that I'm back in Scottsdale, I can confirm that I really did love living here. Sun and palm trees are happiness to me! I will get that in Mali.
I have one month left...4 weeks to be exact. Time is flying by. I am still working my 2 jobs, and trying to travel in between. Last week I was able to spend some time with my dad and we made the trip to REI for some shopping. Here is what I bought:
Mosquito net tent. Current vols say it is a necessity. This will be used on the nights that it is too hot to sleep inside (my mud hut). I'll need the netting to keep the bugs out. Don't think it will keep the elephants or lions away though! jk.
Water bottle. Swiss made, aluminum. I opted out on the Nalogene bottle. It's made of No. 7 plastic and it just looked a lot more durable and eco friendly.
Merelle's. I'm just mentioning the shoes I bought bc I liked a kids shoe, and I fit in them! They were also half the price of the $90 womens, so I couldn't resist.
Other things that I already have are:
Gerber knife-given to me be Ed. R from PHX
Solar charging batteries-another invaluable gift given to me by Tia Kath
Things I still need to buy: Travel backpack-yeah the big one. Hand held fan....I'm going to look stupid carrying it, but I think it will be a nice little luxaury for me. Headlamp. I already know what kind is reccommended, I am just holding off. IPod...yep, I live in 2008 and still don't have an IPod. Laptop, I'm waiting on Brian for that one.
Anyway. It's almost time for me to leave. Time is flying by. I'm getting really excited. This will be my 3rd country to live in. Nicaragua, Belgium, and now Mali. I needed to mix it up a bit, I've never been to Africa, and I have always been drawn to helping the people over there.
I'm going to put it out there now, but PLEASE email me, send me anything, update me on the US and your lives. It is going to get lonely out there. Receiving emails is so uplifting for me.
I'll be in touch!
So, here is a shortend version of what I just wrote.
I'm in Scottsdale on a trip with USAirways. I'm getting my Flight Attendant kicks out before I go. I'm off to Tampa tonight, then Denver on Sunday night. What a life!?
Now that I'm back in Scottsdale, I can confirm that I really did love living here. Sun and palm trees are happiness to me! I will get that in Mali.
I have one month left...4 weeks to be exact. Time is flying by. I am still working my 2 jobs, and trying to travel in between. Last week I was able to spend some time with my dad and we made the trip to REI for some shopping. Here is what I bought:
Mosquito net tent. Current vols say it is a necessity. This will be used on the nights that it is too hot to sleep inside (my mud hut). I'll need the netting to keep the bugs out. Don't think it will keep the elephants or lions away though! jk.
Water bottle. Swiss made, aluminum. I opted out on the Nalogene bottle. It's made of No. 7 plastic and it just looked a lot more durable and eco friendly.
Merelle's. I'm just mentioning the shoes I bought bc I liked a kids shoe, and I fit in them! They were also half the price of the $90 womens, so I couldn't resist.
Other things that I already have are:
Gerber knife-given to me be Ed. R from PHX
Solar charging batteries-another invaluable gift given to me by Tia Kath
Things I still need to buy: Travel backpack-yeah the big one. Hand held fan....I'm going to look stupid carrying it, but I think it will be a nice little luxaury for me. Headlamp. I already know what kind is reccommended, I am just holding off. IPod...yep, I live in 2008 and still don't have an IPod. Laptop, I'm waiting on Brian for that one.
Anyway. It's almost time for me to leave. Time is flying by. I'm getting really excited. This will be my 3rd country to live in. Nicaragua, Belgium, and now Mali. I needed to mix it up a bit, I've never been to Africa, and I have always been drawn to helping the people over there.
I'm going to put it out there now, but PLEASE email me, send me anything, update me on the US and your lives. It is going to get lonely out there. Receiving emails is so uplifting for me.
I'll be in touch!
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