2

2 days.

That's all I have left in this place I call 'home'. 3 days left in the United States. It all happened so fast, and yet time passed ever so slowly as I waited for this moment to come.

I have been spending the past few weeks saying my goodbyes, giving hugs, hosting parties, and telling others about my soon to be adventures (a countless number of times). People ask a range of questions, always involving "are you excited/ nervous?" , "what do your parents think, do they think you're crazy?", and "oh my god two years, that is such a long time, how will you handle it?"

I feel excited. I'm not nervous. I've been waiting and preparing for the Peace Corps for technically: a year (application process; interview to departure) and really: about three years (researching/ deciding if it was for me). So it's about time that I get the opportunity to see what this is all about.

I think I'll enjoy myself, I think it truly will be as the slogan says it is "the toughest job you'll ever love". I'm approaching it in quite a realistic manner, I know it's not going to be easy, I know it's going to be a roller coaster. I KNOW I'm going to be happy, sad, scared, nervous, unsure, elated, proud, etc- but I cant wait to feel all of that. I've been alive for 22 years but I have a feeling that the Peace Corps will truly make me feel alive, on the tip of my toes, and open my eyes to a whole new set of experiences.

I want to thank all of my friends and especially my family for supporting me through this entire process. I know I have my moody moments in the midst of frustration and stress- but you never gave up on me and my decision to take a hiatus on "normality" and run away to Africa for two years. It may seem like a long time, but it will (probably) pass quickly- and you'll never be out of my heart nor mind. I love you all!!! :)

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I'm taking it and running. Where will I end up next? (that is what is exciting to think about- that abyss of endless possibility}

I'm not the best with goodbyes but I will miss you all very much.

Keep in touch and I'll let you know 'how goes it' en Afrique.
Feel free to keep the questions coming, I want to relay as much information about Cameroon and my experience abroad as possible. I can write about whatever in any post, but I want to know what YOU ALL want to know too :)


Till next time.

[check it]

9 things.

9 things about my soon to be home.

- The name Cameroon comes from the Portuguese word for prawns; cameroes, which were found in abundance in the Wouri river when the first European explorers arrived.

- Cameroon covers an area of 183,638 square miles, some of which is water, so it is roughly twice the size of the U.K.

- In a 1999 census of the country there was an estimated to be 15.5 million poeple, of which 50% live in rural areas.

- Cameroon is one of only two countries in the entire world to have two official languages; English and French. The other bi-lingual country is Canada.

- There are 275 ethnic groups in Cameroon, other than the official languages there are 167 different dialects spoken.

- Mount Cameroon is the tallest mountain in West Africa at 4095m.

- Cameroon is home to the Goliath frog which at 0.3m (0.6m with legs outstretched) is the largest frog in the world

- Cameroon encompasses many geographical lanscapes that are similar to the whole continent, lush rainforest in the south to scorched desert in the far north, great volcanic lakes and vast savanna planes. It is for this reason it is sometimes dubbed 'Africa in miniature'.

- Debundscha, at the base of Mt. Cameroon, has an average annual rainfall of 405 inches. It is the wettest place on earth.

Here are some websites that give a flavour of the country and the continent.

www.cameroonnews.com
www.africa-geographic.com
www.ethnologue.com
www.southerncameroons.org
www.irinnews.org
www.allafrica.com
www.africaonline.com
www.usafricaonline.com