Hi, I'm Still Alive

Hi from Ouahigouya… I apologize for the delayed posting. The internet here in town is actually pretty good and accessible at internet cafes, but my schedule is packed. I cherish every moment of downtime, and it’s been difficult for me to motivate myself to do much that I don’t really need to do… like study and take bucket baths.
I’m in classes from 8am to after 5pm Monday through Friday… Saturday is a half day. The classes are mostly language and technical training, right now, with the occasional health or safety and security session. The shots keep coming in rounds.
There are so many things that I could go on about, but I don’t even know where to start. I don’t remember what it was like to be an infant, but I think that it’s probably a lot like that… so much new stuff all at once that your head feels like it’s going to explode, and the last thing that you want to do is think. But you have to. Because people are talking to you in a language that seems like it should be familiar, but everything that you want to say is just barely too complicated for your little baby vocabulary and understanding of grammar.
Actually, I think that things are going relatively well here. The rains have begun and it seems like it’s cooled off a little since we arrived (it’s still hot but it’s bearable). Also, I’ve overcome my first round of vomit-diarrhea-dehydration sickness… that was last week-end. I actually don’t mind bucket baths at all, and I live with a really nice family here during pre-service training (PST or Stage). The list goes on…
On a closing note, I got the post cards that we sent from New Belgium (Daniel). They took about 3 weeks to arrive. I’ve posted my address in the sidebar as promised, and I now have a cell phone so that number is there as well. My goal for next time is to try to get some more photos on Picasa… I’ll see what I can do. Later.

We're off... to Philadelphia

Wow, the last month has been pretty crazy and fun and sometimes not so fun. Anyway... in a few hours we're off to Philadelphia for a couple of days, and then to Burkina Faso. I've got to go and finish packing, but I wanted to say hi and bye real quick. Next time I get a chance I'll post our address for training, and hopefully some pictures. For now check out the link on the right for some Colorado/Utah shots...

"J'ai faim!" -- mon levain

Travel Deals... More Like Travel Steals!!!

Hey everybody! Over the past few weeks I've learned a couple of pretty sweet travel tricks that I feel like I need to share. If you like to fly, then do this now! (not actually right now, but as soon as you get done reading my post). Go to www.southwest.com and download "ding". It's a live update service that gives you access to special offers through Southwest. Here's how it works... you can choose up to 10 airports and "ding" dings (literally) and updates you with special fares from these airports approximately once per day. Today was a really big ding... my wife and I each got roundtrip tickets to Denver for a total of 25% (and that's even rounded up) more than what it would have cost just one of us to fly through another well known travel site, so check it out!... especially if all that math is making you dizzy.
Also, if you're interested in traveling from Kansas City to Chicago or St. Louis and back (or not... I suppose you don't have to come back), then you are in luck. Here's why... a company called Megabus (www.megabus.com) runs routes from K.C. to St. Louis or Chicago, and a limited number of $1 seats (each way) are usually available if you get your tickets well in advance.

Thanks to Doug and Sacha (Sacha mostly... hi Doug!) for telling us about "ding" and my dad for the bus.

If you want it, come and get it! (kind of)

Alright, it's the moment you've all been waiting for. If anybody wants any of our stuff please feel free to let us know. We're lookin' to sell some stuff, but there may be select items that we would be willing to part with without any monetary compensation (like my garlic press). So, if you want it, come and get it! (don't actually come over and take it, please let me know first)

Off to Burkina Faso!

Heather, ma femme, and I will be leaving in June for Burkina Faso! I think it's about time... we started the application process with the Peace Corps over a year ago, so it feels pretty good to finally have departure date, location, and job description. I'll be teaching math and Heather will be working with girls and promoting girls education.