Ecuador here we come!

By tonight we'll be in Ecuador. All 46 members of the Omnibus 98 training group will finally be there. Staging has been really great. I got here Sunday night after a really long trip (including 2.5 hours sitting on the runway here in Miami). I met some of the other trainees, had dinner, then went straight to bed. I can't even explain how great the bed and pillows(!!) are at this hotel. Monday we actually started orientation. A lot about the Peace Corps and culture, adjusting, and safety. It was very informative and gave everyone a chance to meet the other trainees. Tuesday was much of the same... just started a whole lot earlier. I've really enjoyed meeting the other trainees. Study abroad was some genuinely good people along with a lot of people that had clearly signed up for a 5 month-long party. The PC people really do want to be here. They know going in how hard it is going to be, living in a community by yourself, working hard, and it's two years. If you don't truly want it, you wouldn't be here. There are people from all over the US and from all different walks of life. A lot are straight out of college, but others have been in a career for multiple years. In our whole class there is no one over the age of 30! That surprised me a lot; I figured there would be a few thirty-somethings and a couple older people. No matter. It seems like we're all at different places with our spanish abilities, which makes me feel a whole lot better. I know once I get down there and get emerged, I'm going to be fine. That, and the language classes, I'll be set.

Miami has been really great. I've always known it has a large spanish-speaking population, but it didn't really register until I got here. It really is like a whole other world. It seems so natural to speak spanish, but when you stumble you can always throw in english and the people will understand. I think I'd like to come back and visit Miami some day. And my roommate tells me there is some great salsa dancing, so who really can say no?

I have a couple more phone calls today and then off I go. Who knows what the internet situation is going to be like for the next days/weeks... so I'll post when I can. I have a feeling there will be a lot of personal journal-ing during my experience. Maybe I'll finally fill up that book I have. So that's it for me. Next time you hear from me, I'll be living in another country!!

--Stacie