I Am In AfriCa!

 I made it! I finally made it!  After 1 year of looking forward to this adventure, I am finally here.  My excitement started when I boarded the Air France B777 and was in row 41!  I didn't care that it was a middle seat- i was excited to be on a B777!  Ofcourse I compared everything to what I knew from USAirways, but overall it was an awesome experience.  I slept as soon as we hit the tarmac until lights came on for breakfast.  After we landed in Paris-CDG we had about 4hrs of layover.  I was excited to get a nutella crepe or a croussiant(spelled) but in the end i didn't find one...well I cruossiant for 2.5oeuro (4$ no thanks!).

I am here in Mali now.  We are in the training center-about 77  of us. There is a good mix of males and females of all ages...not just people out of college.  I am happy with the people that are here.  We seem to have the same ideas and emotions about this whole experience.  It was great to see that I wasn't the only scared one, it great to see other people crying in the airport when they were saying their last 'goodbyes' to their loved ones.  I was lucky to have Brian come meet me at the airport to say 'au revoir' to me.  I'm really greatful that my brother and I are once again close.  

Well, to tell you a little about my life here so far: I am sharing a cute round hut with 2 other girls.  We are sharing a nygene (outhouse) with 9 other girls.  This outhouse is not like the nicaraguan one that I was used to....this one is just a hole in the ground- as opposed to the nice little seat we had in Nica.  Last night we slept with the windows and door open (screens on them) and i was sung to sleep by all the insects making their noises.  

Malaria med gave me an interesting dream, which I don't remember, but I remember it was crazy!  We are staying in the Peace Corps compound for another 3 days, then off to the homestays.  I like it here so far, but then again I really haven't been exposed to much.  

I'll try and write more as things come up!