Hello all, from your Peace Corps Volunteer, not simply a trainee anymore!!!
I am in Abidjan today and thought I would tell you of recent events...
The end of 'stage,' our training session. What a milestone!! We're all quite proud of ourselves. Today I am going to the beach for three days to celebrate. That's why I won't be back at the hostel until Monday.
The ceremony was nice... very Ivorian, which means lots of protocol, shaking of hands, standing and applause. Pretty funny, I think. The parents were urged to dress us in traditional clothing. My mom takes these assignments seriously... I wore a traditional skirt, LOTS of jewelry, and my sister made me a blouse to go with the skirt. Plus, I had a hair weave - what a riot!!! I took lots of pictures. The dignitaries there all told me I looked wonderful. I was truly the belle of the ball.
Afterwards there was a party at the director's house. The American food, including the jello, was a huge hit!! The kids especially liked the jello... had never seen anything like it. It was silly! And the macaroni salad, potato salad, and salsa were also big hits. Quite an American party!! My friend Megan and I had planned the whole thing, including gifts for the instructors, staff, and director. It was a lot of work, but we got lots of compliments, so I know it went off well. Many thanks to my mother for sending all that stuff. More on mail below...
You can't imagine how great it is to receive mail. Please tell everyone how much I appreciate it. Last Monday when I returned from the site visit, I had 13 letters and 3 packages. Everyone was jealous!! Besides Mom's box, I got a package from Lois with goodies - magazines, stationery, Body Shop yummies. And there was a package from Jennifer Rowland in Texas with gum, People, and other stuff. What a lucky girl I am!!
Besides all that, I also received photos from Aunt Marilyn and Beth at the Scrapbook Place, and letters from Tom and Marilyn Schellhase, Eileen, Diane, Dad, Georgette, Ward (book too!), Jody Ensman, and I must be leaving a couple others out. Wow. Receiving pictures is too fantastic. While I was in Taabo last week I put all my letters and photos on my bedroom wall so I could look at all the 'love' from my bed when I get lonely. I am too lucky to have such wonderful friends and family.
It was hard to leave my family in Alepe this morning, but I have high hopes for visiting them every so often. They are moving to Gagnoa, which seems close to Taabo on the map, but there aren't roads between the two. I'll have to figure out the fastest way. Since there is a swimming pool in Taabo, Yann will come see me for swimming lessons. He and I have also struck a deal for him to visit the US when he's 13. What a charmer, that kid!
I guess that's all from here. Love to all! Molly Kate