It's officially crunch time. We started packing yesterday, an arduous, gut-wrenching affair. It's very hard to pack two years of your life into two checked bags whose combined weight cannot exceed 80 lbs (per person). Actually, I'm kind of surprised at how little we'll be bringing. Books alone constitute 35 lbs, against the Peace Corps' recommendations. Reading classics in French sounds awesome, but I won't give up my Joyce and Milton in their proper language. We may post our packing list if we think it might be useful for prospective Peace Corps Volunteers and for the amusement of you, dear reader. And if we have time.
One random thing: I'm looking for a cheap viola to take to Africa. If anybody knows somebody that's trying to get rid of one, I'm all about it.
The goodbyes have already begun. We just spent a week in Austin with Mrs. San's Aunt, Uncle and Cousin. It was great to see them and we will the miss the company of such groovy people. Tonight I say goodbye to my band, Silver String Theater as we play our last show at the Mercury Cafe. It's been amazing guys and I look forward to our reunion tour in 2014 (let's start booking now). Our remaining two weekends are booked solid with family nights, parties and such.
Things I will miss; the mountains; snow; seeing my nephews and niece grow; family; beer; electricity, (potentially); sounding smart when I speak; vegan food; toilets (potentially); music.
Things I am excited for; summer rain; the famously kind, proud, beautiful Burkinabé; new food; new music; a new way of life; having a garden; riding a bike everywhere; doing something important.
It's all happening.
Au revoir
