2004-07-05 - 8:28 p.m.

Is-salaamu aleykum! (May peace be with you) Lyaak laabas? (I hope there is no badness)! :-)

So, I will be moving to my host family's compound tomorrow. There has been a lot of preparation for it in terms of cross-cultural aspects, food and eating etiquette, language training, expectations, etc. I feel somewhat prepared, definitely excited to be moving onto the next stage of training, but at the same time nervous.

For the first time, we will be treating our own water, taking bucket baths instead of showers, sharing a makaresh (butt pot... in lieu of toilet paper) not only with the rest of the family but also with many other designated uses in various parts of the compound (hoping not to have a sudden bout of the infamous "runs" and not being able to find the makaresh in a timely manner!!) :-)For the first time I won't be surrounded by the other 41 volunteers and the very open-minded PC Mauritanian staff, taking soap and hand washing for granted,... I will be living alone in a local family day and night, meeting three other volunteers and my language facilitator for classes everyday, walking around town on my own, going to the market doing business consulting research homework projects, etc. It will be fun!

Speaking about language, I tested out of French classes, which means I will be starting directly from Hassiniya classes (local arabic)... Inshallah!

We started briefly today over lunch... hence my two sentences above! :-)

I will probably be able to come to the Internet cafe again during the next two weeks, but just in case I don't, just know that I am thinking of you all and smiling at the memories and good feelings you bring to my mind and heart.

Love,

Jordy

P.S. I am not getting much protein in my daily diet... if any of you know of space efficient protein supplements that could be sent to me easily, would you please let me know the names of them? Thanks!

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