Of course there's stress already!

Hey everyone!

Doing fine, and doing well. Just coming on real quick to let everyone know that staging is finished - and of course, I have already been volunteered for extra responsibility. I am a group leader, one of 5 responsible getting all 70+ of us to the airport. Should be fun, seeing as I have to get up in 5 hours...

Much <3 to everyone.

Next time you hear from me, I'll be where they presumably filmed the Lion King.

Keep a weathered eye.

Send Me On My Way

Well, its that time. Sometime in the next few hours (I hate coffee...) I'll be on the way to a great adventure. I hoped I packed everything - It was difficult to pack around my collection of lucky lead weights and the 5lb bags of flour I brought for cooking. In any event - I'm ready. My bags ARE on the heavy side, but hopefully I'll slip under the radar. Its a good thing I have my grandfather's beautiful blue eyes. (Note to self: Be sure to give those back upon returning...) Let's hope my inherited sex appeal wins over the airport security.

FYI - They told us to expect to not have contact until roughly November 3rd. Please refer to here for all Nick / Nick-Africa related events. Any news can be found here first, so please stop annoying my parents. They are dealing with enough stress as it is, as they transform my old room into the Pet/Ironing/ Sewing/Weightlifting/Workshop/Firing Range/Greenhouse room.

One of my favorite professors from Gettysburg College recently told me, "Life is all about collecting good stories."

Armed with all the needed items, I'm waiting for my real life to begin.

I'm ready to go.

Beautiful World

My, My, My, Its a Beautiful World.

Sorry to all those that have been checking for updates - the last two weeks have been somewhat of a blur. Let's explore.

I've traveled (with beautiful weather,) from state to state basically seeing all those I really needed to see before I depart this continent. From Pennsylvania, to Jersey, to South Carolina, I've spent the past two weeks seeing all the assorted family and friends that I've haven't seen in quite some time.

But now here we are - only 6 days left. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared, but I'm more excited I think at this point. I've gathered all my supplies and am currently staring at them wondering how I'm going to fit it all together, and subsequently trek it across the African desert.

I'm excited for the next couple of days, because I get to see the lovely ladies from the Planned Parenthood that I've been volunteering for. I'm taking this space to tell you this, because I cannot express how much they've taught me in the months that I've been there, as well as how much they've given to one that they have only known for so long. They are truly wonderful people and I will miss them very much. I have no doubt that the skills I have gained there will be put to use where I'm going.

There will be more to this post, don't worry - its just hard attempting to cram the past two weeks and my current antipation into coherent statements.

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I can't wait. Less than one week.

Mixed Emotions

So theres 20 days left.

We've been giving our mailing addresses, so if anyone would like to write to me, you can reach me here:

Nicholas Boire, PCV
Peace Corps
PO Box 6862
Ausspannplatz,
Windhoek, Namibia.

You can still reach me at NicholasBoire@gmail.com
My group is fortunate enough to have contact with volunteers currently stationed in Namibia. They've been helpful giving advice regarding mailing:

"The best method for sending a care package is by simply using the US postal service. I've found that packages sent in a big padded envelope get here much quicker than a box. Boxes take anywhere from 1 month to 5-6 months. It really varies on this one. I think as a rule of thumb, keep it small. My experience with packages has been diverse: 1 padded envelope sent from California got here in 10 days using regular ground mail. Another package sent from NYC using the more expensive way to send it, got here in exactly 1 week. Other packages took anywhere from 1 month to 2 months. If for some reason you need something shipped that is expensive or important, I know people have used DHL (there is a DHL office in Windhoek)

...the only other thing I wanted to add is that in sendingpackages via the post office, we've found that it's helpful to "holy"them up -- address them to Father Joe Schmoe, or Sister Jane Smith,and say that they're coming from the Sister [whatever] at BlessedChurch of Jesus. Writing holy phrases ("Thou shall not steal," "Jesusis watching," "We miss you at church, Sister Jane!" etc.) on the package helps too."

So basically, feel free to address me as Father Nick.

I think a church just burned down somewhere.

A Life So Changed

Well, everyones just about received our staging information - seems to be that we're heading to our beloved Capital for a couple days in prep for our main voyage.

I've added additional links on the right for those interested, that are merely the blogs of other volunteers I'll be meeting (or have met,) and am going to be servicing with.

26 Days Left. And then 26 months left.