That is Zulu. One of three languages I will be learning.
6 days and counting to departure. On January 23rd, I fly out to Philly to meet 30 other Health Education Volunteers. We have "Registration & Welcoming" from 12:30pm- 5:00pm at a hotel. Then we are on our own for dinner. I'm sure we will all eagerly volunteer what restaurant we want to get our last meal and cocktail from as we try to convince others to join us. I'll be sure to boast my opinion. At 2:30am, a bus picks us up for a 10:45am flight out of JFK. Yes, I said it, they pick us up at 2:30am. That means no sleep until the plane. We sure will get to know each other fast!
We have a direct flight to Johannesburg South Africa. 15 hours of more bonding time. As soon as we land, 4 more hours in a car together to Pretoria, South Africa. More bonding time. Welcome to the PC!
For the first three months, no word will be a good word from me- I won't have much time nor internet connection during training. Training will be time consuming with strict 7am wake up calls heading into 8am classes for religion, culture,safety, healthcare, and 3 different language classes per day. When we have down time, I hear our brain is so overloaded with the time change, emotions, and information "overload" the last thing we want to do is get on our computers. Also, local, wild monkeys love to come play with us! I hear they "scope" out the newbies in town knowing we will give them food. You all know I will be quite fascinated by that! Please remember, after a week of training I will live with a host family. Thus, no time for computers either as they want us to fully amerce ourselves into their culture.
However, once on site, I will have plenty of down time. Most likely I will get set up with my own mailbox and hook up my blackberry to become a modem so I can have access to the internets WHEN my phone isn't out of battery ;) Again, once on site, I will know so much more regarding internet, electricity, how to best contact me, etc. Please give me time as everything over there is ssssllllllooooowwww.
I'm not expecting any of y'all to do anything, but if any of you were ever in summer camp, you know care packages and letters are THE BEST.... a small "hello" letter is just as great for me as a package! For now, please send all letters and packages to:
Lane Strickland
Peace Corps
PO Box 9536
Pretoria 0001
South Africa
I love chewy candy such as gummi bears, sour patch kids, jelly belly's, sour patch straws, now n laters, and swedish fish. Cheese It's, Oreo's and cookies, and Snack Mix things I adore. Hygiene products such as hand wipes and Kleenex (they have NO toilet paper in villages!) will be handy too. I always love pictures and magazines. Don't forget my love for Glowsticks and good smelly spray things. No cd's of current music as my laptop doesn't have a CD holder. Put new music on a USB stick drive for me and I'll be able to dance all around my room. Chai Tea is my fav tea! Gatorade packets, Spice packets, Crystal Light packets, and Siracha sauce are a must. You all on here with kids- I would love arts and crafts from them to decorate my walls. Can you send wine to South Africa? :)
If a package, please declare it as a very low item for customs. This will help it not get stolen and I won't have to pay alot to receive it. Write on the box "Education", "Religion" to keep hands away and I think if you declare it as that or $1 shirt and $1 candy it should be almost free to send customs wise. I would write "Jesus loves me" and possible Bible quotes all over it too. (I know this sounds so silly, but it keeps the cost down for customs for you and I AND keeps the chances of it from being stolen)
Love you guys forever and ever!!! Be safe. I need you all to have ten fingers and ten toes upon my return. Keep it real for me while I'm gone and go to every music festival for me, free show, wedding, and a rad party! Eat pizza and enjoy Starbucks.
Below is a picture of what I will be packing for 2 years. This weekend I will figure out how to get it into 2 bags. Wish me luck.
Peace,
Laney
