Countdown

We will be getting on the plane to go to Washington, D.C. and then Nicaragua in just 19 days--! Paul's done with work Friday, I'm done with work Tuesday, and then we have to squeeze in our yard sale, packing, tying up loose ends (power of attorney, etc.) all those things we want to do "one last time": one last Cardinals game, camping trip, sushi dinner, visit with friends.

Two days after I last posted, we received a letter from the Central America desk reminding us to do all the things we've already done (read the Welcome Book and Volunteer Assignment Description, send passport applications, send resumes and aspiration statements) and then we got the staging packet two days after that. It included our instructions for setting up travel arrangements to get to D.C., our itinerary for staging (we check out of the hotel at 3:30 am the day we leave for Nicaragua!), and lots of other forms to read and fill out before then.

We're really fortunate because the Peace Corps sent an e-mail to all 35 people in our training group because they left some forms out of our invitation packets; one person started a group e-mail so we could all get to know each other a little bit. It's comforting to know that almost everyone is worried about what to pack and not everyone is fluent in Spanish (though several are).

Even though I know we leave in 19 days, it hasn't really sunken in yet. I think after we are done with work, start selling all our stuff, and have to say more goodbyes, it will really feel like it will be time to leave--but by that time, it really will!