Small issues....

PC wants me to bring a WHO 'card' with me to staging so I do not get duplicate immunizations. Unfortunately, Manatee health department does not have any cards, but they handed me a printout of all my immunizations. I expect this should work for the PC's needs, but if anyone knows otherwise please tell me and I'll make greater pains to get the card form.

After finishing up packing my travel weight is still well under limit, but it still seems like a lot of material.

Packing, the requiem...

The Peace Corps says I need 'at least' 2 sets of business casual wear. That means another 2 pair of khakis, button down shirts, and 1 pair of boat shoes. This is because idk if Columbia-style shirts count as business casual. I also need to get a copy of my WHO immunization card from the health department.

Rosetta Stone

I've completed around 28 hours of my 40 hour commitment to studying French. That comes to about 1 hour a day of French until I leave so I should be able to complete my studies before I leave.

New shoes...

Yesterday I bought some Vasque Breeze Low XCR hiking shoes. Low-tops so I don't feel like I have 12 lbs blocks on my feet and water-proof with Gore-tex. Hopefully they will c some action.

Itinerary...

July 1: Leave Tampa International at 6AM for MIA. Leave MIA for Philly @ 8AM. Arrive Philly @ 12ish. 1PM registration w/ Peace Corps @ the Sheraton University City. 3 - 7PM Peace Corps training.

July 2: 8:30AM - 12 training continues...then lunch, then training form 1:30 - 6PM.

July 3: 7AM hotel check-out. 8AM Vaccinations. 1PM airport.

July 4: ????

July 5: 8:30 - 10AM PC policy. 10:15 - 12:30 PSL overview, S & S pre-test and helmet form handed out. 14:00 - 17:00 S & S pre-test and signed helmet forms collected. Language interviews, bike fittings and more vaccinations!! Notice the switch to 2400 time.

July 6: 10-10:30AM brunch @ community director's. Meeting ambassador and RSO for rest of day until 15:00 - 17:30 language class.

July 7: 8AM - 1700 project overview. 10:30 Zemidjan orientation and walking tour.

July 8: Same orientation as July 7 until 14:00 - 16:00, host family orientation. Vaccinations. 16:15 - 17:15 overview of Benin.

July 9: early morning, vehicle loading. 8 -11AM S & S incident reporting/responding and vaccinations. Depart for training sites. 15:00 meet host family.

July 10: 1st night processing. 10:30-12:30 visit local authorities. 15:00 - town exploration.

July 11: 8 - 10AM language. 10:30-12:30 technical orientation. 15:00 - 17:00 language.

July 12: 8 - 10AM language. 10:30 - 12:30 cross-culture orientation and pre-test. Time with hots family after lunch.

3.5 more weeks...

I received my pre-departure packet and reserved my plane ticket for Philly on Friday. I leave from Tampa @ 6 in the morning on July 1st. After an hour long stop in MIA, I'll make it to Philly by 12 PM. Three days in Philly and pre-departure training will be done and I'll be Africa bound, probably with a flight transfer in Paris. I've tested my hammock and bug netting and everything is a go. Over the last couple weeks I continually stuff small foodstuffs in my check-ons.