14/6/02

First Day

Letter dated 6/14/02 Return to List

Dear Mom & Dad,

Well I'm here, sitting out front of the refectoire (dining room) with a few of my new friends. Day one is done and it's all good. We had a few information seminars and a language lesson in the morning.

The heat is a bit much, but not as bad as I feared. I have gone with next to no sleep since I left home. Four days later and the heat still makes it difficult to sleep. Finally, after lunch, I felt sleepy and took a nap. I managed to sleep through everyone's departure to the U.S. Ambassador's home for cocktails. The two healthcare people were able to give me a ride though.

It got around that I was from Seattle and two volunteers that were there (1^st and 2^nd year) came up and said hi and that they were from Seattle. Even bumped into someone who lived in Mount Vernon and knows Todd. Right now I'm feeling good, fresh out of the shower with a days worth off sweat of me, working on a new sheen. Hopefully I'm going to be able to sleep tonight. I miss my fan.

We should have an opportunity to call in a few days, so I'll talk to you long before you get this. Don't worry—these are good people and so far it's been nothing I can't handle. Well, take care of yourselves and I'll talk to you soon.

All my love,

Shaffer

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