Well here it is kids. . . My last day home!

I've known this day was going to come for a few months, and now that it is finally here it is incredibly surreal. Thank you to everyone who has shown me love, support and encouragement over this past year of applying to the Peace Corps. That will never be forgotten.

So the day before I leave is when I finally put things in a bag. I really dont want to go through everything again, so it's all just staying put until I get to Mozambique.  I have two duffel bags (each less than 50lbs), a backpack and a "purse". Africa here I come.

I leave tomorrow morning at 4am for Staging in Philadelphia- the final time spent in America. I will be one with the masses, finishing up any paperwork necessary, receiving any final immunizations (ouch) and turning off my cell phone. From there, the other 29 Volunteers and I will take a Greyhound to JFK airport, where we begin our very longggggg flight to Maputo, Mozambique.

From JFK we fly to Dakar, Senegal (about a 9.5hr flight), stay on the plan there for about an hour or so while it refuels and the airline staff switch out. From Senegal, we fly down the continent into Johannesburg, South Africa (another 9.5hr flight). This is when things get tricky... we go through customs there, have to make it to another flight and make sure all of our baggage makes it on safely, all while hoping things don't get stolen from them. Previous PCV (peace corps volunteers) have had things stolen from bags, and have given great advice on what to pack/how to pack, and what to expect. I am not sure what we all would have done without their valuable advice. I digress- From Johannesburg, we fly into Maputo where we will be met by current PCV's and taken to a hotel for the first night. It is then that we will have a chance to re-arrange baggage- I am only allotted one bag for the first 3 months during Pre-Service Training(PST).

Then comes the exciting part- Meeting my host family!! During PST I will be doing in-depth language acquisition and studies, cultural training, situational awareness etc. It is a very structured training schedule, 6 days a week from 7am-whenever. Basically I am in school for the first few months, but it is all to prepare me for the two years that lay ahead.

Today I was lucky enough to go to the Memorial Day parade with my parents, spend time at home with loved ones, and am looking forward to a cook-out with some family this evening. Truly the best possible way to say "see ya later" to my lovely home.

“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” – Jawaharial Nehru