Hello, hello, hello,
As I have recieved absolutely nothing for the holidays, not even a letter and might I add only two Merry Christmas on Facebook, I can only assume that I, unlike my friends who recieved boxes of tangiable love from their friends and family, have been forgotten. I light of my birthday on the 9th of january I have decided to not be ignored. I have decided that perhaps you all simply need some encouragement. You can send me the following:
Snazzy, cheap earrings
Easy Crossword puzzles
National Geographic
Hybrid Rechrargable batteries - Rayovac (AA and lot's of them)
Or who could simply send a email my way and say hi. And Carol, if you do not start to respond to my emails I will cut you out of my life.
Happy Holidays!
Natasha
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Friday, November 23, 2007
Children Run Away Screaming from Me
I'm okay with it.
The other day I was in my village and chatting with one of my friends when I spotted a kid I had been playing the day before a little ways down the road. I smiled and waved to him but he didn't respond and I thought perhaps he did not recognize me. Then I remembered, I am the only white person he has ever seen in his short life. I kinda' stand out.
It is very interesting living in a place with so little of what I recognize as racial diversity. By this I mean everyone is Ewe aside from the small Indian population near my village. Sometimes I forget that I am different at all. In many ways it's nice.
But this update is really all about business. I have finally gotten some pictures online. They are from the summer and will try to post some more recent one soon. I haven't really given a lot of details for the pics, instead I invite the viewer to use their imaginations regarding my tantalizing Togolese life. I hope you enjoy.
I have created a facebook account because it is easier to load over here because of all the bells and whistles of Myspace. Also, I think Myspace is lame - no offense. The pictures are stored on my page and I have spent the last several hours trying to remember who my friends are in the states. You'll me hearing from me soon if so. But I would like to publicly acknowledge both Sara Kagan and Jeff Artist, neither of who have facebook accounts (get on it), for the amazing packages they sent me. You have no idea how much these packages mean to me, it's like you read my mind They mean the everything to me and thank you so, so much. I'll see if I can in someway return the favor in time.
Okay everyone, I hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving. I'll talk to you soon,
Natasha
Stage Photo links:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=10944&l=6f4df&id=580909887
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=10945&l=4d388&id=580909887
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=10983&l=e648b&id=580909887
The other day I was in my village and chatting with one of my friends when I spotted a kid I had been playing the day before a little ways down the road. I smiled and waved to him but he didn't respond and I thought perhaps he did not recognize me. Then I remembered, I am the only white person he has ever seen in his short life. I kinda' stand out.
It is very interesting living in a place with so little of what I recognize as racial diversity. By this I mean everyone is Ewe aside from the small Indian population near my village. Sometimes I forget that I am different at all. In many ways it's nice.
But this update is really all about business. I have finally gotten some pictures online. They are from the summer and will try to post some more recent one soon. I haven't really given a lot of details for the pics, instead I invite the viewer to use their imaginations regarding my tantalizing Togolese life. I hope you enjoy.
I have created a facebook account because it is easier to load over here because of all the bells and whistles of Myspace. Also, I think Myspace is lame - no offense. The pictures are stored on my page and I have spent the last several hours trying to remember who my friends are in the states. You'll me hearing from me soon if so. But I would like to publicly acknowledge both Sara Kagan and Jeff Artist, neither of who have facebook accounts (get on it), for the amazing packages they sent me. You have no idea how much these packages mean to me, it's like you read my mind They mean the everything to me and thank you so, so much. I'll see if I can in someway return the favor in time.
Okay everyone, I hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving. I'll talk to you soon,
Natasha
Stage Photo links:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=10944&l=6f4df&id=580909887
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=10945&l=4d388&id=580909887
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=10983&l=e648b&id=580909887
Thursday, October 25, 2007
My Feet are Always Dirty
Other quick updates
I am holding up pretty well. October has been a hard month because homesickness had finally hit me but I am slowly starting to find ways to deal with it. It has been really strong at times, almost like I am possessed with longing for my old life. But that said, other times feel so rewarding and right that they seem to balance out. When I first got here a Volunteer explained the whole experience as a “two-year mind-fuck”. It is true. For example, in the morning I will feel discouraged and be ready to leave, missing the convenience and benefits of living in the U.S. and two years will feel like too long to be away. Then by the afternoon I and completely content and even deeply consider extending or working abroad when I am finished here. It is insane. But, looking back to how apprehensive I was before I came I can definitely say that the experience is much better than I imagined, though it is challenging, and many of my fears were unfounded.
And on the Brightside, Peace Corps is doing wonders for my superiority complex. I can’t wait to slap people with it when I return.
Also, for those that are interested, I will be planning some awesome African vacations for those are interested. I would also be interested in European vacas if you are bankrolling it. Also, come to
Saturday, October 6, 2007
It's Crazy Hot
Let's see, were to begin...
I ended up arriving in village a week late due to the aforementioned amoebas. First day in village and I am still weak from my recent bout with amoebas and dehydration and taking the meds which clean out your system. I end up going to the annual Fetish Festival for the Yoto prefecture with the Chief and the other Notables of the village. Nothing too crazy, though they did kill a chicken. Afterwards, we went to a banquet to celebrate the event that was attended by western-style politicians, the Prime Minister is from Yoto and was also there, and the tradition Village Chiefs and VIPS. I ended up at a table with men who only spoke Ewe to each other and stared off into the distance. When the food was ready to be served one of the men offered to fix me a plate and asked me what I ate. I vaguely told him I liked everything. HA. He returns with a plate that reeked of old fish. There was some type of green sauce with crab, liver, dried fish and some sort of meat. I found it unappetizing and tried to take sample some but felt queasy and ended up pushing the food around the plate. I then noticed what I thought looked like a tooth. Upon further exploration, I realized that it was many teeth, which together formed one-half of a jaw of a goat with the lip still attached. I froze, then tried to bury it under rice and carry on, but finally mustered a weak smile though my queasiness and told my tablemates that I was full and pushed the plate away. The man next to me takes the plate, it should be noted all at the table are eating rapturously and had begun hoarding cans of soda in their sacs, and began shoving the food in his month with as much gusto as he did with his first two servings. When I glanced at the plate a few moments later it was completely clean, as was the goat jaw bone that lay in the center.
I wonder if sucking the meat off the jawbone of an animal would make me a better volunteer.
French
I suck at speaking French. Suck at it. Luckily, for me most people in my village speak Ewe, and even if they can speak French, even excellent French, they prefer to speak Ewe. Excellent. A typical example is I will be walking down the street and cross paths with an Older Woman. It goes something like this:
Natasha: Bonjour Madam! Comment ça va?
Older Woman: Woezolo! Aphenemtodo? (not actual spelling)
Natasha looks confused. Once again tries her handy French.
N: Desolee Madam, mais, je ne comprends pas l’Ewe
The Older Woman looks a little befuddled, but smiles wide and gesticulates wildly.
OW: Eweewewewewe, ewe ewe. Ewe! Eweewew?
Natasha purses her lips narrows her eyes and nods understandingly though she has no what is happening.
N: Non. Shakes her head and shrugs
The Older Woman stares at her and then shrugs back. The two women turn and then walk down the street together in friendly silence.
I mean it’s okay, it’s bound to work itself out eventually. I should probably study more and have I have been sidetracked by all they crazy stuff that has been happening. And on the bright-side by they time I leave I will be able to speak French like a Togolese framer with a 6 grade education.
This is a side note, but I have decided that the French language in its very nature promotes sexism and classicism with its genders and formal tenses. I have decided that English is the language of equality.
Voodoo Stuff
Recently there was a string of voodoo killings my area and I had to skip out of town for a few days. People where being beheaded, drained of their blood, then had their necks removed and their heads sewed beck on to their shoulders. The whole thing was pretty vague and I didn’t get a lot of answers which made me briefly consider a career as a voodoo detective. But it blew over pretty quickly and now things are back to normal. Don’t worry I’m fine. Been sick quite as bit, though.
Elections
A few years ago, the all the international aide and development organizations left Togo. I will leave you to find out why on your own. Anyway, long story short Togo is in the midst of what will hopefully be its first uncontested and internationally approved election. It is a legislative election and no problems were expected as occurred with the previous presidential election and as far as I know the voting process which happened on Sunday was a smooth and successful. The result should be announced within the next few days. One of the many benefits of this is the possible return of the international community and the potential for Togo to receive much needed development assistance. An example of how this could benefit is by subsidizing AIDS drugs which are now too expensive for the average Togolese person, who are typically so sick by they time they get tested that they cannot work to avoid care. Anyway, this type of assistance would help everyone out in a big way.
Work
Everyone is asking me what type of work I will be doing. The answer is that I don’t know yet. They way Peace Corps Togo works is that you are assigned to a post to work under a certain field, mine being public health, the others being natural resource management, small enterprise and business and girl’s education and empowerment. We are set up with one or two people with in our communities with whom we can begin to talk about which types of potential projects exist and are feasible. We spend the first three months observing, becoming used to the lifestyle and getting to know people, and then we begin to identify jobs and projects that we will work on thought out our services. Personally, my time has been spent trying to make sure I have enough clean water and learning how to use my medical kit, and between being sick all the time and with everything that is happening in the country I have been a little overwhelmed. So, work hasn’t taken off yet, but it looks like I might be trying to start up an association for people living with HIV/AIDS and trying to set up some sort of Malaria prevention campaign.
Okay, that's all for today. More soon. Hopefully tomorrow.
I ended up arriving in village a week late due to the aforementioned amoebas. First day in village and I am still weak from my recent bout with amoebas and dehydration and taking the meds which clean out your system. I end up going to the annual Fetish Festival for the Yoto prefecture with the Chief and the other Notables of the village. Nothing too crazy, though they did kill a chicken. Afterwards, we went to a banquet to celebrate the event that was attended by western-style politicians, the Prime Minister is from Yoto and was also there, and the tradition Village Chiefs and VIPS. I ended up at a table with men who only spoke Ewe to each other and stared off into the distance. When the food was ready to be served one of the men offered to fix me a plate and asked me what I ate. I vaguely told him I liked everything. HA. He returns with a plate that reeked of old fish. There was some type of green sauce with crab, liver, dried fish and some sort of meat. I found it unappetizing and tried to take sample some but felt queasy and ended up pushing the food around the plate. I then noticed what I thought looked like a tooth. Upon further exploration, I realized that it was many teeth, which together formed one-half of a jaw of a goat with the lip still attached. I froze, then tried to bury it under rice and carry on, but finally mustered a weak smile though my queasiness and told my tablemates that I was full and pushed the plate away. The man next to me takes the plate, it should be noted all at the table are eating rapturously and had begun hoarding cans of soda in their sacs, and began shoving the food in his month with as much gusto as he did with his first two servings. When I glanced at the plate a few moments later it was completely clean, as was the goat jaw bone that lay in the center.
I wonder if sucking the meat off the jawbone of an animal would make me a better volunteer.
French
I suck at speaking French. Suck at it. Luckily, for me most people in my village speak Ewe, and even if they can speak French, even excellent French, they prefer to speak Ewe. Excellent. A typical example is I will be walking down the street and cross paths with an Older Woman. It goes something like this:
Natasha: Bonjour Madam! Comment ça va?
Older Woman: Woezolo! Aphenemtodo? (not actual spelling)
Natasha looks confused. Once again tries her handy French.
N: Desolee Madam, mais, je ne comprends pas l’Ewe
The Older Woman looks a little befuddled, but smiles wide and gesticulates wildly.
OW: Eweewewewewe, ewe ewe. Ewe! Eweewew?
Natasha purses her lips narrows her eyes and nods understandingly though she has no what is happening.
N: Non. Shakes her head and shrugs
The Older Woman stares at her and then shrugs back. The two women turn and then walk down the street together in friendly silence.
I mean it’s okay, it’s bound to work itself out eventually. I should probably study more and have I have been sidetracked by all they crazy stuff that has been happening. And on the bright-side by they time I leave I will be able to speak French like a Togolese framer with a 6 grade education.
This is a side note, but I have decided that the French language in its very nature promotes sexism and classicism with its genders and formal tenses. I have decided that English is the language of equality.
Voodoo Stuff
Recently there was a string of voodoo killings my area and I had to skip out of town for a few days. People where being beheaded, drained of their blood, then had their necks removed and their heads sewed beck on to their shoulders. The whole thing was pretty vague and I didn’t get a lot of answers which made me briefly consider a career as a voodoo detective. But it blew over pretty quickly and now things are back to normal. Don’t worry I’m fine. Been sick quite as bit, though.
Elections
A few years ago, the all the international aide and development organizations left Togo. I will leave you to find out why on your own. Anyway, long story short Togo is in the midst of what will hopefully be its first uncontested and internationally approved election. It is a legislative election and no problems were expected as occurred with the previous presidential election and as far as I know the voting process which happened on Sunday was a smooth and successful. The result should be announced within the next few days. One of the many benefits of this is the possible return of the international community and the potential for Togo to receive much needed development assistance. An example of how this could benefit is by subsidizing AIDS drugs which are now too expensive for the average Togolese person, who are typically so sick by they time they get tested that they cannot work to avoid care. Anyway, this type of assistance would help everyone out in a big way.
Work
Everyone is asking me what type of work I will be doing. The answer is that I don’t know yet. They way Peace Corps Togo works is that you are assigned to a post to work under a certain field, mine being public health, the others being natural resource management, small enterprise and business and girl’s education and empowerment. We are set up with one or two people with in our communities with whom we can begin to talk about which types of potential projects exist and are feasible. We spend the first three months observing, becoming used to the lifestyle and getting to know people, and then we begin to identify jobs and projects that we will work on thought out our services. Personally, my time has been spent trying to make sure I have enough clean water and learning how to use my medical kit, and between being sick all the time and with everything that is happening in the country I have been a little overwhelmed. So, work hasn’t taken off yet, but it looks like I might be trying to start up an association for people living with HIV/AIDS and trying to set up some sort of Malaria prevention campaign.
Okay, that's all for today. More soon. Hopefully tomorrow.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Feeling better
Okay, I'm back. Feeling better today and have taken care of what I assume is the worse of the meds. So let's jump right into the meaty stuff.
My post is in the south of Togo. Togo is divided into 5 regions, Savannes, Kara, Central, Plateau, and mine, the southern most region, Maritime. I am in the top left hand corner of the region, about 60km from Lome and less than 20 km from the border of Benin. My village is actually villages, meaning that I am the health volunteer for a group of 10 village, the largest of which I call home. The ethnic group are the Ewe, languages spoken are French for those who are educated, Ewe and Mina. Everyone would like to speak English, and give me their children, and marry me. By the way, I'm engaged, since I can't right out lie and say I'm married though I have taken to wearing the third pagne. Wait, that makes no sense, hold on:
Pagnes are beautifully decorated cloth that people use to make clothes. Rarely are clothes ready made, instead people buy pagne, and then take it to you the appropriately gendered tailor and have outfits made. Needless to say, I love this and think I am going to solely wear Togolese clothes while I am hear. Anyway, wearing a third pagne, around you waist or over your shoulder, means you are married.
So anyway, my village is considered to be "en brousse" because I have limited access to food and necessities, no electricity, unreliable cell phone reception, and cars that only leave two days a week because the 8 km long road that leads to the next large town is so bad it looks like Swiss cheese. Not funny when you are driving it. In fact, I have moto privileges because of this. Motos are catching a ride with men who drive motorcycles. It gets pretty crazy sometimes and you see an entire small family and a goat on a small motorcycle.
This being said, my village is also pretty comfortable as far as health volunteer villages go. I have running water and a wonderful house with a large pouch, flush toilet, shower, and big living room. I believe the house is owned by some old political bigwig. Also, the Chief of my village is young and motivated for change, and there are a few different NGOs and dispensaries that I could work with so in terms of being able to do some work I am in a good spot. Also, I am close to hippos and alligators which is sweet. And there is a lot of Voodoo in my area, which I will be sure to explore once I am able to ask about it.
My french has grown at alarming speed though I am still not able to have an adult conversation. It also comes and goes, for example, one day I will be winning and argument with a Togolese man about the merits of family planning ("But who will work in the fields if I get sick", they say. "What? You don't have fields, Jesus Christ", I reply) and the next week I can barely order a beer. But for the benefit of all, I have refrained from peppering this blog entry with french to avoid sounding too pretentious.
Okay, gotta to. Quickly, Togo is without a doubt a patriarchy that is a pain in my ass, though to be fair there are equally annoying men in the U.S. It is also very, very poor. In retrospect, I think my decision to live in a developing country for two years was greatly aided by my having never been to a developing country before. It can be overwhelming, but I will get in all this next time.
I think a good way to proceed with this blog thing would for all of you to send me questions which I will then post responses. I promise! Also, no one has sent me anything yet. I didn't want to say anything, but it just makes you look bad. Things I need include the following:
Magazines
Candy
Music (on Cds, mp3s, this is incredibly urgent and must be sent as soon as possible)
Dark chocolate
Tank tops (medium)
Presents!
Padded envelopes pass through easier than boxes, US mail is best, and make sure you send it out to "PCV Souer Natasha Ott" and cover it with crosses and the like. For some reason divine intervention is necessary.
"PCV Souer Natasha Ott"
Corps de la Paix
B.P. 3194
Lome(accent on the "e"), Togo
West Africa
Til we meet again,
Natasha
My post is in the south of Togo. Togo is divided into 5 regions, Savannes, Kara, Central, Plateau, and mine, the southern most region, Maritime. I am in the top left hand corner of the region, about 60km from Lome and less than 20 km from the border of Benin. My village is actually villages, meaning that I am the health volunteer for a group of 10 village, the largest of which I call home. The ethnic group are the Ewe, languages spoken are French for those who are educated, Ewe and Mina. Everyone would like to speak English, and give me their children, and marry me. By the way, I'm engaged, since I can't right out lie and say I'm married though I have taken to wearing the third pagne. Wait, that makes no sense, hold on:
Pagnes are beautifully decorated cloth that people use to make clothes. Rarely are clothes ready made, instead people buy pagne, and then take it to you the appropriately gendered tailor and have outfits made. Needless to say, I love this and think I am going to solely wear Togolese clothes while I am hear. Anyway, wearing a third pagne, around you waist or over your shoulder, means you are married.
So anyway, my village is considered to be "en brousse" because I have limited access to food and necessities, no electricity, unreliable cell phone reception, and cars that only leave two days a week because the 8 km long road that leads to the next large town is so bad it looks like Swiss cheese. Not funny when you are driving it. In fact, I have moto privileges because of this. Motos are catching a ride with men who drive motorcycles. It gets pretty crazy sometimes and you see an entire small family and a goat on a small motorcycle.
This being said, my village is also pretty comfortable as far as health volunteer villages go. I have running water and a wonderful house with a large pouch, flush toilet, shower, and big living room. I believe the house is owned by some old political bigwig. Also, the Chief of my village is young and motivated for change, and there are a few different NGOs and dispensaries that I could work with so in terms of being able to do some work I am in a good spot. Also, I am close to hippos and alligators which is sweet. And there is a lot of Voodoo in my area, which I will be sure to explore once I am able to ask about it.
My french has grown at alarming speed though I am still not able to have an adult conversation. It also comes and goes, for example, one day I will be winning and argument with a Togolese man about the merits of family planning ("But who will work in the fields if I get sick", they say. "What? You don't have fields, Jesus Christ", I reply) and the next week I can barely order a beer. But for the benefit of all, I have refrained from peppering this blog entry with french to avoid sounding too pretentious.
Okay, gotta to. Quickly, Togo is without a doubt a patriarchy that is a pain in my ass, though to be fair there are equally annoying men in the U.S. It is also very, very poor. In retrospect, I think my decision to live in a developing country for two years was greatly aided by my having never been to a developing country before. It can be overwhelming, but I will get in all this next time.
I think a good way to proceed with this blog thing would for all of you to send me questions which I will then post responses. I promise! Also, no one has sent me anything yet. I didn't want to say anything, but it just makes you look bad. Things I need include the following:
Magazines
Candy
Music (on Cds, mp3s, this is incredibly urgent and must be sent as soon as possible)
Dark chocolate
Tank tops (medium)
Presents!
Padded envelopes pass through easier than boxes, US mail is best, and make sure you send it out to "PCV Souer Natasha Ott" and cover it with crosses and the like. For some reason divine intervention is necessary.
"PCV Souer Natasha Ott"
Corps de la Paix
B.P. 3194
Lome(accent on the "e"), Togo
West Africa
Til we meet again,
Natasha
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
I have Amoebas
Sorry I haven't been able to update as much as I or you would have linked. For the last three months I have been in Stage, which is intensive cultural and language training before you officially begin in your village. But before I get into all of this let me first start with the email rules.
The biggest reason why I have not been in touch is that the intenet here is like Dial-up circa 1992. For example, for the first 3 times I was able to get a town with Internet I would have to spend my whole hour looking at my inbox, unable to open any emails. Or I would miraclously open one email and eagerly write a response only to have the electricity go out. Due to this, Internet has become like my kryptonite. Meaning it is so far the only thing that will make me completely lose my shit, curse Togo and slam nearby objects and doors. So I stopped trying. Now I am in Lome, the capital, because I am staying at the Med Unit due to my bugs so I have access to the sweet Peace Corps Internet. So the emails rules are this:
(oops, I accidentally posted this. Ignore)
1. I will probably have access to Internet around once a week, maybe more maybe less. When I say access I mean one or two hours at a cafe
2. If I ask you to do something for me, for the love of god do it, no questions asked. Questions are more emails were is time wasted.
3. I will never be able to download pictures, videos, links, etc. You can send if you like, but the real way to get to me is through mail. More on that later.
Okay, feeling weak and have to go back to med unit. I will continue with the update either later on today or tomorrow. Super!
Natasha
The biggest reason why I have not been in touch is that the intenet here is like Dial-up circa 1992. For example, for the first 3 times I was able to get a town with Internet I would have to spend my whole hour looking at my inbox, unable to open any emails. Or I would miraclously open one email and eagerly write a response only to have the electricity go out. Due to this, Internet has become like my kryptonite. Meaning it is so far the only thing that will make me completely lose my shit, curse Togo and slam nearby objects and doors. So I stopped trying. Now I am in Lome, the capital, because I am staying at the Med Unit due to my bugs so I have access to the sweet Peace Corps Internet. So the emails rules are this:
(oops, I accidentally posted this. Ignore)
1. I will probably have access to Internet around once a week, maybe more maybe less. When I say access I mean one or two hours at a cafe
2. If I ask you to do something for me, for the love of god do it, no questions asked. Questions are more emails were is time wasted.
3. I will never be able to download pictures, videos, links, etc. You can send if you like, but the real way to get to me is through mail. More on that later.
Okay, feeling weak and have to go back to med unit. I will continue with the update either later on today or tomorrow. Super!
Natasha
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Patience people, I'm in West Africa
I have received your pleas for information. All things will be revealed in the fullness of time.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
It turns out I can't speak french
I hope to god that changes. Aside from that, I am having a good exeperience so far. Granted, I only left 2 weeks ago but it honestly feel like it's been least two months. I am staying in a small village outside of Kpalime, in the plateau region of the country, with a wonderful host family who are pretty well off compared to everyone. I have electricity, a shower, a flush toilet, tv - it's pretty sweet. No latrines and bucket showers for me ... yet. So everything is good so far, this experience is a emotional rollercoster for sure. I am up and down several times a day but luckily lots of my frustrations steam from not being able to communicate, which thankfully I can change. Also, my entire group is suffering from GI distress which is not only comforting but bonding as well. I think I am getting better but my stomach is a little crampy. That's all for now, will probabaly start sending longer and elaborate but less frequent emails from here on out. I miss everyone and you should all come to Togo.
Togo 2008!
Natasha
Togo 2008!
Natasha
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Crap, I lied
You can subscribe, there is a link at the bottom of the page. So you all can do it your self. Super!
I will never have Yellow Fever, I think
Got here safe a few days ago: Africa is SUPER all in all , really nice and crazy warm. Arms hurt from shots, on french keyboard, will tell more soon, out of time, lots happening.
Thanks to everyone for their concern about my hair. Got more shampoo in states and it is looking luscious.
Later,
Natasha
Thanks to everyone for their concern about my hair. Got more shampoo in states and it is looking luscious.
Later,
Natasha
Friday, June 8, 2007
You can't subscribe to my blog
It turns out that if you want to subscribe to my blog than you have to let me know and then I will be able to add you. So let me know people.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
I told you I would start a blog
Okay, quick update:
* Missed not one, but two flights to D.C. on my way here. Sounds about right.
* Had the special shampoo and conditioner to maintain my beautiful hair in the hot Togo sun confiscated at the airport to avoid terrorism. Threw a fit. War is hell.
* Have meet all my fellow Peace Corps people who I will be spending the next few months with and they are awesome, really smart and funny and perverted. Interestingly enough there 30 women and only 5 men. I think they are pretty stoked.
* Fly out to Togo tomorrow, start malaria pills then and get vaccinated against just about everything. Now that I am actually here I am really excited and am really glad I am doing this. I feel invigorated. Please everyone, remember I said that. The next few weeks, er months, will be crazy busy but I will try to update as thing progress. Also, I will give you more info on what I will be doing and contact info very soon, I promise.
* On a more serious note, I really wanted to thank everyone for all the wonderful send offs and gifts over the last several weeks. I am so fortunate to have so much support and love, and it really just means they world to me. I especially want to thank everyone involved in the surprise party the day before I left. I was completely blown away and shocked and I cannot believe I missed all the clues and, you know, people telling me and stuff. It was wonderful and just want I needed. Thank you again.
Talk to you soon,
Natasha
* Missed not one, but two flights to D.C. on my way here. Sounds about right.
* Had the special shampoo and conditioner to maintain my beautiful hair in the hot Togo sun confiscated at the airport to avoid terrorism. Threw a fit. War is hell.
* Have meet all my fellow Peace Corps people who I will be spending the next few months with and they are awesome, really smart and funny and perverted. Interestingly enough there 30 women and only 5 men. I think they are pretty stoked.
* Fly out to Togo tomorrow, start malaria pills then and get vaccinated against just about everything. Now that I am actually here I am really excited and am really glad I am doing this. I feel invigorated. Please everyone, remember I said that. The next few weeks, er months, will be crazy busy but I will try to update as thing progress. Also, I will give you more info on what I will be doing and contact info very soon, I promise.
* On a more serious note, I really wanted to thank everyone for all the wonderful send offs and gifts over the last several weeks. I am so fortunate to have so much support and love, and it really just means they world to me. I especially want to thank everyone involved in the surprise party the day before I left. I was completely blown away and shocked and I cannot believe I missed all the clues and, you know, people telling me and stuff. It was wonderful and just want I needed. Thank you again.
Talk to you soon,
Natasha
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