Still packing

Just sent out the link to many of you so hopefully you are capable of commenting on this blog. Here is where I will post the many events that go on in Turkmenistan as a volunteer. I wont be able to post daily since the internet is limited but I will try to write often. I may even have friends and family update for me via letters that I will write to them and have them transcribe.

For now I am in the middle of packing. I am trying to find as many long skirts as possible. I will need skirts that go down to my ankle so that I am covered up. It's an Islamic country, if that helps to explain why I need the long skirts. Still, I will not need to cover my head and I can still wear short sleeves.

Aside from clothing I am also in the midst of collecting movies and music from friends and family alike. My terabyte has gotten really full since I left NY. (Thanks Erika ^_^)

I will have many American things to share with the Turkmen people now. From what I heard their access to American music was outdated and mostly from the 70's and 80's with people using scrunchies! Yay for time traveling, but I should check my facts. I will let you know how much of this hearsay is true.

Also, I will let you know about the food because that seems the most intimidating right now. I don't really know how much meat I can handle. I don't want to be a vegetarian but from what I've read on other blogs there are some experiences with meat that can be really traumatizing. I'll just have to man up and deal with it though. For posts about those kinds of events I'll add little stars (***) and a warning for those with weak stomachs.

There are many new experiences waiting for me in Turkmenistan but I'm really excited for this new adventure and this opportunity to make a difference. It helps that I have this new bracelet from my mom that will keep encouraging me day after day. On it are wonderful phrases engraved all over the place. They are as follows:

CHOOSE this moment

Love

Shine

B THE CHANGE U WISH 2 SEE [-Gandhi]

DREAM BIG

Love Life Be Brave

Smile

Laugh

Sing

Play!

Dream

Wish

DARE 2 B DIFFERENT




All of which I hope to do.


Finally, I will let you know the Mission for Peace Corps as stated on their site:

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps to promote world peace and friendship.

The Peace Corps' mission has three simple goals:

1. Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
2. Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
3. Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

(http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=about.mission)

I hope that this Blog will help me in completing the third goal. For those of you who will read my blog feel free to ask any questions about what I post or even questions about things I don't post but you're just curious about.

I will write again soon, probably when I'm back in DC and meet all the others who will be joining me in Turkmenistan (Tstan).

~GERI~