Monday, August 27, 2007

Packing, part one

I started packing last night, and am beginning to realize how insufficient 80 pounds of gear will be...however, so far I can still lift everything, which indicates that it can't be THAT heavy! I mean, I only weigh 116 pounds myself. Not counting my toiletries, which I have yet to organize, and excepting a few odds and ends like electronics, here is what I have so far:

2 journals for writing + 1 journal with pretty paper for letters
1 good multitool
1 compass (my dad insisted that I have one)
1 knife sharpener
1 headlamp with 24 AAA batteries (merci Devin!)
1 freeplay radio with a built-in flashlight
The US Book
1 leather belt + 1 rope belt
1 pair gardening/working gloves
1 pair of pretty shoes
1 pair of hiking boots
1 pair of good walking sandals
1 mosquito net (I know Peace Corps will give me one, but you can never have too many!)
1 purple kimono, polyester (the silk replacement I bought in San Francisco's Chinatown is staying here. I promised myself when I bought it that I would wait to see if I ended up going to Africa, and if I did, I vowed to keep the silk kimono safe in its drawer, so when I got back I could have something truly luxurious to spoil myself with.)
3 scarf/sashes (2 cotton, 1 silk)
3 cotton bandanas
1 straw sun hat
1 white linen ankle-length dress
2 pairs of blue jeans
1 warm vest
1 quick-dry towel
1 sarong
4 tank tops
1 pair of nice khaki capris
1 pair of Thai wraparound pants
2 long-sleeve button-up shirts
2 polo shirts
1 photo of my family
3 tee-shirts
2 long skirts
2 cute going-out tops
1 pair working capris
1 pair zip-off work pants
1 fancy rain slicker
1 bikini; 1 one-piece bathing suit (I'm being optimistic, I know, but maybe I'll wear them.)
19 pairs of socks (I hope that's enough!!)
1 Mexican tunic
7 bras (3 sport, 3 underwire, 1 strapless)
37 pairs of underwear

This list is bound to change by the time I actually leave, but so far that's what I have. It looks like a lot when all written out, but really it packs up pretty small. There's probably some things I won't need, and others I'll wish I had, but hey, that's part of the experience, right? I am reconciling myself now to the fact that I'm sure lots of this stuff will meet its end somewhere in Senegal. Maybe my bags will be lighter coming home!

Saturday, August 25, 2007

First Installment

Welcome to my blog. I always had something of a contempt for traditional bloggers...why would you want to put the intimate details of your life online for all to see? The same reason some people post naked photos of themselves, with their faces blurred or cut off: a streak of exhibitionism in us all. I have reconciled myself to writing this, though, because it will be so much more convenient than sending mass e-mails, it won't clog your inbox, and this way you can invite all your friends and enemies to read about what I'm doing in Senegal!

Typical disclaimer: All opinions contained herein are the exclusive property of myself, and in no way reflect the beliefs or attitudes of the Peace Corps or the United States Government, nor any government entity in Senegal.

Okay, as you now know, this will be my online Peace Corps journal. There will be no juicy details of my personal musings or love life (if I ever have one again) so don't ask. I'll tell you if I want you to know. Instead, I intend it to be an edifying and fascinating discussion of my experiences with the Senegalese culture, along with long and boring descriptions of my daily activities. Yay!

I leave in just over two weeks. It feels like I will never actually be truly prepared, nor do I think I will realize the full implications of what I'm doing until they dump me off all by myself in a remote African village with 80 pounds and a carry-on. The irony is that I have spent quite a lot of money buying supplies, while going to a country where people have nothing like all the fancy REI stuff I now own. Well, we shall see.

To begin with, I'll start out training for two months in Thies (accent grave on the "e") I feel very lucky to know French already. I have this inkling that it may come in handy! Anyway, please write me letters or e-mails, but especially letters. There is something special about opening a letter, waiting for the right time when you have privacy to carefully tear apart the edges of the envelope, and draw out a paper that someone spend minutes of their day scribbling upon, and read news and thoughts that are many weeks old, yet still precious because whoever recorded them put their soul into it. Anyway, here is my address:

PCT Abigail Fay
Corps de la Paix
B.P. 299
Thies, Senegal
West Africa

Address things in red ink - apparantly, they look more official that way and are more likely to make it. I plan to write you all back, though the reliability of that may not be so good...depends on the mail system, which of course I have yet to experience. Trying not to think about that right now. Still in the USA for now, and trying to divide my time between all the important people in my life. There are so many! I'll miss you all.