I´m here!

I´m safe and sound for anyone keeping track. No time to blog today... but just wanted to check in! I´m loving Ecuador and I have a great host family with 4 kids ranging from 7 years to 8 months.

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

It all starts tomorrow...

Tomorrow morning I leave for Miami. By Wednesday evening my training group will be in Quito, Ecuador. This fact hasn't hit me quite yet. I keep saying goodbye to people and it doesn't seem real. I took Donnie to the airport on Wednesday and said goodbye as if I'm going to see him in a couple of days. Its been a similar type reaction to everyone I've said goodbye to. But tomorrow I have to get up super early. My mom, Abbie, and I are heading to Sioux Falls to have breakfast with Melanie before my 10am flight. I'll be in Miami by early evening. I know of at least 1 other girl from my group that is also getting there tomorrow night, so I won't be completely alone.

I'm really excited for this adventure to start. Clearly I have reservations, everyone does or should. I'm moving to a country where I barely speak the language to do a job that I have no prior experience or training in. Well, maybe that's not completely true. Its not as if I haven't worked in an office/organizational setting before. But health? I guess that's what training is for. I have confidence that the PC won't put me in a job that I'm not properly trained for. The idea of having a host family kinda scares me too... but then again, it can't be much worse than living with Monica for 5 months, right? I am really excited to meet the rest of my training group. From the emails and facebook messages that I've exchanged with people, they seem really nice. I'm approaching this experience much different than I did when I went to Argentina. Anyone can study abroad.... its a 5 month long party with a couple of classes thrown in. PC is much more of a commitment. The people that make it are the people that truly want to be there. I'm also ready to meet Ecuadorians and truly experience the culture.

So here we go. No looking back. One last night in Yankton. Keep an eye out for a story in the P&D next week about me. I'm not sure what day it will be printed, but it'll be there.

--Stacie

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog. I'll be using this blog to keep my friends and family (and anyone else that stumbles across this) updated during my service as a Peace Corps Trainee and Volunteer in Ecuador. I'll be working in the Rural Public Health program as a Health Organization Development Volunteer. Who knows exactly what that will entail, but part of the adventure is finding that out! So welcome. Please read and comment on my posts. I'll update as often as time and internet access allows!

--Stacie