Pre-service training is over and tomorrow I board a plane to Ashgabat. My phone is eerily silent and I think everyone is tired of saying goodbye, as am I. I'm sick of talking about going. I've been talking about it for a year. Now. I'm. going. DEEP BREATH IN. and out and this in-between stage is ending.

Training goes something like this: We are separated into groups and sent to a site near Ashgabat. Have no fear, friends and family, I will showering, albeit in buckets and eating/drinking local food/vodka, but water through a filter. Intensive language and on-site training will ensue shortly after the arrival, but do not be alarmed when you don't hear from me for 3 months or more. I will be safe, living with a host family and if something terrible were to happen, you will be notified immediately. After the initial three months, I will be sent to my village or city and will start my project for two years. I don't know what exactly I will be doing, except that it has something to do with health and I will be living with a host family again.

That being said, I'm terrified. But no one did anything great without having initial fear or doubts.

Peace Corps gave us some walking around money when we got here last night and I'm planning on saving it for India or Turkey or some plane ticket somewhere. But once on site, I will not leave until March at least.

I'm really excited about all the opportunities that this will bring. I hear that some volunteers actually got a grant from MLB and built a baseball field and now have three teams that play equipped with everything. Another group of volunteers got a grant and have set up a exercise facility where women can work out!

Also really pumped about the desert alligators, tea, camels and horses. ma, i will send pictures.

I'm sure my next post will be an exciting bit, filled with exotic descriptions and wild adventures, but as of now I'm sitting in air-conditioning and luxury in Georgetown. Oh. How things will change! Take care, so long and send those letters!