I am writing my first official Peace Corps blog post from JFK airport as I wait to board my plane for Ouagadougou. This flight will start the beginning of a 27 month journey that will more than likely permanently change my life. For those of you who don't know, I am volunteering with the Peace Corps as a Community Health Development Worker in Burkina Faso (West Africa) from 12/2010 to 12/2012. The next three months will consist of language (French), technical and cultural training in the regional capital of Koudougou before I am sent to my post in December. At post I believe I will be working in a regional health clinic, but a lot of the details are still unclear. I will try and update when I have more information about where my post is and what my work will entail.
The last two and a half months since I accepted my invitation to serve as a Peace Corps volunteer have been an emotional roller coaster. I have been nervous and excited, felt doubt and apprehension and even though one or twice "what the hell are you doing?" But I feel that to be a true Peace Corps volunteer you have to hit all of these emotional points, otherwise you haven't fully thought through what you are about to do. It seems surreal that tomorrow I will land in Burkina Faso and I probably wont believe that this is all happening until I do.
I am intending that this blog be my way to both share my experiences with my family and friends back home and as a release for myself. I am going to try and keep my comments as neutral as possible, but if I offend anyone I apologise in advance.
I would never have been able to move across the world for over two years if I didn't have the support and love of my family and friends. I cannot tell you how much all of your messages, phone calls and letters mean to me. Knowing that there are so many people out there thinking of me has given me the strength to take this first step of my journey.
I hope to stay in touch while I am abroad via e-mail, facebook, skype and this blog. Please keep in touch! I want to stay updated on everything that is going on back in the states while I am gone.
Love you all and see you on the other side!!
