2006-09-02 - 12:25 p.m.

It’s an overcast Saturday morning in Kaedi, the sand is compact, darker with last night’s rain. The sky tells stories of Mauritanians huddled under a tent, trying to shield themselves from the cold soaking wind, praying to God to protect them from the thunderous rage boasting all around them.

It’s my second to last Saturday in Kaedi. In fact, next Sunday I will be waving goodbye to this town on the Senegal river, goodbye to all the trainees who will then be ready to embark in their own memorable journeys, goodbye to the staff that trained me a little over two years ago, goodbye to the friends I have made over the summer: friends who made me experience a different face of the Peace Corps, the face of familiar companionship away from home, with the stimulating debates, the interesting insights and exchanges, the bursts of incontrollable laughter, the free-flowing gossips, the personality differences, the more accessible links to the comforts of home, the hopes of seeing each other again and not letting these common years slip through our fingers like fickle sand…

I have not written in a while, not because I did not want to, but more so because I did not know what I could write about. It was as if I were numb somehow. I attribute this feeling to the odd transitional environment I am in. I am still in Africa, yet it certainly does not feel like the same Africa I spent the bulk of my time in. I am living at the local high school, surrounded by westernized staff members and loads of Americans, speaking English and French most of the time, as opposed to my usual daily Hassaniya, with easy access to the internet and therefore a close connection to all that is “home” and all that could possibly be “future”.

I am excited to soon be strolling through the cobblestone alleys in Italy, speaking the familiar language and eating the comforting foods that will plunge me into the smells, flavors, faces, voices, and memories of the past. I look forward to creating new wonderful memories with my family and old friends, reconnecting again, after so long.

I am excited about going back to the US. About moving to a new state, finally being with Aaron on a non-finite basis, being silly and jolly with him, exploring my new surroundings, meeting new people, creating bonds with my new family, visiting old friends around the US and pursuing opportunities that will get me closer to my professional and academic interests.

It will be nice to slowly re-adjust… yet not too smooth at times, I am sure. I am interested in seeing what this “reverse culture shock” is all about, and glad that both my mom and Aaron will be able to relate a lot more because of their visits to Mauritania.

I am excited at the opportunity to once again “re-invent” myself… I might start a completely new online journal to mark the start of a new chapter and still keep connected to all of you! STAY TUNED :-)

Much love,

Jordy

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