Saying goodbye

The last few weeks have been a series of saying goodbyes --- with friends that lived far away, it was by phone or by Skype, with friends that lived closer, by taking the time to talk over long extended lunch hours which ended with long hard hugs and avid promises of keeping in touch --

Family is different --- saying goodbye has been a mixture of sadness for leaving them for such a long period of time, yet at the same time, a thankfulness and happiness for their having given me their support in a decision that, for me, had been so important. In their eyes I saw their efforts and strengths in making sure that I knew and felt their happiness for me but yet, when I looked deeper, I also saw their sadness my leaving was and is causing them. I am blessed and thankful for their love of being able to set me free and of helping me to realize a dream/a calling that I have had since childhood.

Within the last 4 days, I have left my family in Sweden and now my family in the US. I am on my way to the first day of my Peace Corps experience. I am off to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Many have asked me,  "How does it feel ?"--- Honestly, it is so surreal that it still has not really sunk in yet --- maybe after I meet the other volunteers? I will let you know when possible.

90% packed and ready

60L Backpack, drag/roll suitcase, and a day backpack, is it really all that I need to start with for 2 years?

Finally ---- Hooray, hooray

After 18 months of filling out forms, interviews, having medical tests done, completing missed information, and lots and lots of patience, my Peace Corps staging instructions came -- This meant that I could now call the travel agency and have them book my tickets for orientation. Orientation will take place in Philadelphia on June 2nd.

I will leave home, Stockholm, Sweden on the 28th of May giving me a few days with my oldest daughter, Angélique in North Beach, Maryland, and grandchildren, Jarrett Jr., Jacqueline and Alicia. I will on the 2nd take the train to Philadelphia.  On the evening of the 3rd of June it will be time to leave the US. I will be flying out of JFK, via Brussels, on to Yaoundé , Cameroon and arriving on the 4th.

Luckily, for me, I will also be able to see my youngest daughter, Emmanuelle, who will come home on the 24th of May from Aberdeen, Scotland, to see me off.

I started this blog, which took me a while to figure out, get to work and  look like something somewhat presentable :-), in the hopes that I will have access to electricity and to internet, if not on a regular basis, at least often enough to be able to share with you some of my life and experiences in Cameroon.

A la prochaine fois