Airport #1

Well, I am sitting in the Boston airport waiting to take off for Philly. I can't believe its finally here! It feels crazy and also a bit satisfying to be able to fit everything I need in the near future into a couple of bags (78 lbs or so). Saying goodbye is hard, but I like to think it's just a see you later, albeit later is longer than usual. I have to thank my friends and family for showing me so much love and support. I look forward to keeping in touch, sharing my experiences and hearing what everyone else is up to!

Less than a week

I can't remember if I ever gave all of you out there in blog-land the details on what I am doing with Peace Corps so I figured that was probably a good idea with me leaving this week. On Sunday I head to my staging which takes place in the U.S. We spend a day filling out forms, learning things we need to know, etc. Then we hop a plane to go to Africa!

When I get to Madagascar I will have 9 weeks of training. I will have a home-stay with a Malagasy family for the beginning of training. (The Malagasy are the native people of Madagascar. Also, Malagasy is the language I will be learn in training.) I am going to be an environment volunteer, specifically in forestry. That pretty much sums up the details I know about my assignment right now. We don't get our specific assignments until some time during training. At the end of training all the Peace Corps volunteers get sworn in and then head out to spend 2 years at their assigned village.

As far as contacting everyone goes, "no news is good news." No really, I'm giving you fair warning. It sounds like I will have very little access to the internet during training. Because I don't know where I will be assigned I can't tell you about anything beyond that, but as an environment volunteer the chances of me having electricity are probably among the lowest. If you like to write letters my address is over to the right. I would love to hear about what you are up to.

I think that covers the major points for now. This week I'll be getting the final things I need, then I'm packing my underwear and a frisbee (and probably a few other essentials) and heading off. Check back periodically for updates!

My address in Madagascar!

I'm posting this early, but I'll probably repost it. Write to me in Madagascar at:

Leslie Peck, PCV

Bureau du Corps de la Paix

B.P. 12091

Poste Zoom Ankorondrano

Antananarivo 101

Madagascar

Keep me updated on your life, March madness, life in America, or whatever you like to write about. I will probably have occasional email contact as well.