Thursday, July 1, 2010

Oh hey Im back!


After a long break from blogging, I've finally got something for you. Tell your friends!

So the biggest news that I have at the moment is that I hit my one year mark in Burkina Faso on June 12th. Big congrats to all the other volunteers who have made it this far. A huge thanks to everyone who has supported me through this. I wouldn't be able to do this without my family and friends. The next 15 months are going to fly by, and I can't wait to see everyone again.

I am currently writing this from a house in Juan les Pins, France. We have been here for over a week now, and it is going to be very difficult to leave. Traveling from Ouaga to Nice went very smoothly, and I got an incredible view of the Atlas Mountains in the morning. There was one unexpected stop in Marrakech. Though at this point I am used to travel taking far longer than expected. Unfortunately, my family had to wait at the airport in Nice for several hours. I arrived to blue skies and warm temperatures. It was a welcome departure from the crippling heat of Ouaga. Everyone was exhausted from traveling the first day so we took it easy. We ate seafood at a restaurant next to the sea, drank Rose, and enjoyed being reunited.

So we've just been enjoying all that The Cote D'azur has to offer, eating lots, drinking a bit too much, and enjoying the pool.

So why haven't I updated in so long?

Truth be told I've been very busy. I am currently looking for a site transfer (goodbye Dori). I've been pulled out of my site indefinitely because of an unspecified security threat. Please do not worry, it is business as usual for the other 100 volunteers currently serving in Burkina Faso. The problem was specific to my region, and I was simply told not to return until they receive further information. Thats all I can really give you for now unfortunately. I've been spending time in Ouagadougou developing training materials for the new group of volunteers who arrived last week. They arrived last week! how exciting is that?

Burkina Faso is currently expanding as a Peace Corps country, so we are receiving a group of around 70 volunteers. This will almost double the current number. Upon my return from beautiful Juan les Pins, I'll be training the new volunteers. This means I'll get to meet and spend time with all the newbies.

As for now the pool is calling my name! A bientot!

5 comments:

  1. Your vacation with your family sounds awesome. I'm glad you are enjoying it and soaking in some R&R.

    It goes without saying we miss you back here. I don't think I ever said it, but if you need or want anything let me know and I'll hook you up.

    Keep the blog coming when you get chances to write...Lulu and I always enjoy hearing your adventures. ...and I'm telling you it would make a unique book someday pieced together well

    over and out.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dear Evan, Thank you for your blog! My daughter is one of your new PCT's!! I'm glad to be able to read about what she will be going through and about some of the awesome people that will be working with her(like you). I am keeping all of the Peace Corps volunteers in my prayers. Enjoy your time with your family...and when you get back tell Rachel Carroll her family said "Hi!" and that she should blog too!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for the comment Paula! I'll be sure to keep an eye out for your daughter Rachel. I haven't met any of the new PCTs yet but I've heard that they a great group. I'm looking forward to getting back to Burkina so I can meet everyone.

    Check out some of my earlier posts if you want to get a better idea of what life in Burkina is like. Though you'll have to take everything with a grain of salt as Burkina is a very diverse country. Some of us live in small villages in the desert, others in large towns with tree-lined streets.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dear Paula,
    I'm Evan's mother and my email address is mjohn4506@hotmail.com Feel free to email me and I can put you in touch with some other PCV parents if you would like. It helps to support each other through this process. Congratulations to Rachel as she begins her adventure!
    All my best,
    Mary Johnson

    ReplyDelete
  5. why are there so many Asian people responding in unreadable characters?

    ReplyDelete