Leaving Philadelphia

So this is it. It is 1:10 am on Tuesday morning and my group is supposed to meet in the lobby at 2:30 am to get on a bus to go to NYC. I was not sure whether I was going to sleep or not but it turns out that I will not.

Just a heads up: It is forbidden by the Peace Corps to reveal an information about my whereabouts and others' locations in order ensure safety. So if at any time you feel that I am being vague about where I am headed exactly, it is probably calculated. If you are interested in hearing more specifics about somewhere or something then you can email me at jeannine.rider@gmail.com or give me a shout on Facebook. I would also like to make a disclaimer. What is said on this blog are my own personal views, perspectives, and opinions about my experiences as a Peace Corps Volunteer and do not reflect those of the Peace Corps in any way.

I wonder what it is going to be like when 45 Peace Corps Volunteers try to check in at the airport and if we will all get our luggage on time (probably not). It is going to be a very long, grueling journey to Namibia and I wish I could just get beamed up by Scotty. Maybe someday. I was really lucky that I had my friend from college, Aleeza, to be there with me the past few days. She was so good to me and chauffeured me around the city. I had wondered why the Peace Corps makes us fly into Philly just to end up in NYC. But now I know why-- it was so that Aleeza and I could be together. Maybe for the other people it doesn't make as much sense, but God had a hand in that decision with me in mind.

I think the next time you hear from me I will be in Africa! "They" said not to expect to hear from me any earlier than August 19. So don't get too crazy wondering what's up. I got about 31 hours of traveling ahead until I reach my destination. Oy.

Preparing for Pre-departure Orientation (Staging)

I am just setting up my new blog to make sure it will work. I have less than a week before I leave for Philly to do my pre-departure orientation that will last less than two days and then I head out to Namibia. Schedule goes as follows:

Sunday: Fly from Albany to Philly at 9 AM. Register at hotel at 6pm.
Monday: Vaccinations in morning, Orientation during day until 6 pm.
Tuesday: Get up at 2:30 AM and then leave at 3:00 AM to drive to JFK. Flight from JFK to Johannesburg, South Africa (15.5 hours long), then 1 hour flight to Windhoek, Namibia. Sounds like it will be one heck of an adventure already.