Bug Net

So I bought a free standing mosquito net a while back because it was one of the things that was on the packing list for Mauritania, and I just figured it would probably be a good thing to take to Cameroon too. Today I busted it out and set it up in the living room made sure everything was in order and then. about an hour later I read a post on Facebook from a current PCV in Cameroon saying not to bother with bringing things like bug nets. Now I'm not sure if I'm going to try and sell it or just go ahead and bring it with me. hmmmm.... any suggestions ???

The Man At The Bike Shop Sized Me Up

Ok so this really isn't that exciting but I got sized for a bike today. I got an email from Peace Corps Cameroon at the beginning of the week and one of the things I needed to do was go find out what size bike i ride. I called a couple places this morning and the first one wanted to charge me $30 bucks for one measurement. The second place wanted $95. Finally I found a place who said that they didn't really do bike measurements but once I told him what I needed it for he said to come on in and they would help me out free of charge. They were great. I'm not gonna lie though the guy asked me to get on a bike and ride it. I looked at him for a second and was like... where? He was like, oh just around the store. It was kind of awkward. I just took the bike around the store for a few laps while other costumers were shopping and checking out at the front. Didn't seem to phase anyone but me.

Flights booked !!!

I'm leaving September 16th out of Norfolk at 9:13 am and getting to Philly around 10:45 am for staging. I have a full day of basic orientation stuff and then on the 17th we go to get all our shots, and when all that's over we leave the States around 5:30 pm!

I'm so excited, starting to get a little pre-service jitters, but very confident that I am ready to go (except maybe I should practice my french a bit more ;)

More news to come

Peace,

Kate

Good News !

First off, welcome to my new blog. I figured since the old one was titled Hokie Pokie in Mauritania and since this Hokie is no longer Pokie'ing there it might be time for a name change. Incase you're way out of the loop or just really confused let me give you the short and long of it:

-June 15 supposed to depart for Mauritania

-June 9 get a call saying my Mauritania training class is postponed till mid-August because visas are still being processed

-June 24 get a call saying my Mauritania training class is cancelled completely because of no visas

-June 25 my info was re-processed and Peace Corps started looking for a new assignment

-June 30 I got invited to Peace Corps Cameroon

and today......

I ACCEPTED !!!

So as of now I will be heading over to Cameroon tentatively on September 16 as a volunteer with the Community Health Project. The job description is pretty broad until I get there and get assigned a specific place within the country, but basically it includes helping communities identify where their biggest health concerns are and equipping them with tools and knowledge to prevent spread of disease. The job also includes teaching preventive healthcare practices.

Not gonna lie this is a lot different then what I was expecting to do and it's not exactly my expertise, but I know that Peace Corps wouldn't put me in there if they didn't think I was qualified. Also I get three months of technical training from PC staff so it's not like I'm being thrown in and it's sink or swim.

Overall I'm happy with where things are. The re-assignment was a set back but everyone keeps saying I really lucked out because of the situation in Mauritania. Regardless of that fact that this is not what I had originally planned to be doing, from what I've read Cameroon sounds like a exciting place to live and I can't wait to get there!

Peace,

Kate