14/6/02

Arrived Safely

e-Mail on 8/25/2003 Return to List

Hey, everybody:

Just wanted to let you all know that I've made it back to Burkina Faso. It was a long 4-plane flight, two days after I had initially planned on leaving, but not too bad, overall.

There were a couple of my good friends here, they had planned to come meet me at the airport, but of course Air France had told them that the plane was coming in at 7:30pm instead of the actual 4:30, so I surprised them. I am starting to realize that Air France in Burkina Faso is still somewhat a Burkina Faso operation. My bags ended up taking a little longer than my trip. Neither showed up the night I arrived. So I had to come back the next night, when one came, then the night after that for the last.

The Laptop I brought back is turning out to be a big hit. We've watched a bunch of DVDs, sorted through some music, and I've already managed to get two of my friends addicted to the computer game Civilization III. Since I was away, the Peace Corps switched the house we use as a hostel. We are now in this palatial two-story house close to our bureau.

This week I'm just trying to get some things done and recoup from my time in the states. I'm glad that I'm back, but I'm already starting to miss you guys. This Friday is the swear-in of the new volunteers, followed by a big party. I'm going to be in Ouaga until the 5th of September as I've managed to schedule my mid-service physical exams that first week so I can get to village and stay there a bit before all the bike-a-thon stuff really starts up.

I found out that while I was gone, both my ICP (counterpart) and the midwife were switched to a new village...so it's going to be a little different when I go back. I believe though that he's still in the Banfora region, so I should still see him from time to time.

Take care, talk to you soon,

Shaffer

For more pictures of the Clinic, select here.

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