3...2...1...Blast off!

"The time has come," the Walrus said, 
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes - and ships - and sealing-wax - 
Of cabbages - and kings - 
And why the sea is boiling hot - 
And whether pigs have wings." 

~ Through the Looking Glass, Lewis Carroll

Well everyone, it's that time. As I type this I am sitting In Dullas International Airport waiting to board my flight to Dakar, Senegal. This has been a long time coming and yet the experience feels unreal. I can't believe this is really happening and I'm wondering if the next 27 months will all feel this surreal. 

I arrived in Washington D.C. on Sunday afternoon with my parents. We checked into a lovely hotel and I can't express how touched I was when my mom expressed to me that she just wanted to make sure my last night was special. We went out to a lovely dinner which was followed by a sleepless and restless night. While I can't say that surprised me, it was frustrating nonetheless. Yesterday morning my parents dropped me off at another hotel where I registered and officially become a part of the "Peace Corps family." We had our staging event yesterday where a lot of rules and regulations were discussed and this morning we were all sent over to the Department of Health and Human Services where we all received are vaccinations for yellow fever. Just in case you were wondering, it hurt. And no, I'm not the only one who voiced that sentiment, so you can stop calling me a wuss in your head. Here's an exciting piece of information, I know have an official Peace Corps passport (makes me feel special) and a WHO yellow card that declares that I have indeed been vaccinated against the dreaded yellow fever. Also, my baggage was underweight. YAY! Shockingly enough, I actually have less stuff then a lot of other people (see SWK, I knew I'd make you proud). 

At staging yesterday, I decided that I would start things off on the right foot by volunteering to be a group leader for today's trip from the hotel, to the clinic, to the airport and then on to Senegal. While this seemed like a good idea at the time, in retrospect someone else may have been better suited to the position, seeing as how I can barely keep track of myself. However, so far so good. I think I may actually know a majority of all 47 people's names in my training group. 

Another interesting piece of news for y'all. As many of you might know, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps. Because of this, there have been (and will continue to be) celebrations and news specials dedicated to exploring the Peace Corps and its mission. One of the girls in my group is actually being followed by CNN. They were at our staging event yesterday and will be at the airport gate to see us off this afternoon. I'm not sure whether any filming will be done in Senegal, but if you're watching CNN be on the lookout for me and my bright pink and blue sneakers. 

Before I finish my last stateside post, I'd like to thank all of my friends and family for making the last three weeks so awesome. I never would have made it this far without all of you and I just hope that I will make all of you proud over the next 27 months. Please keep checking the blog and feel free to send me e-mails, letters and any other treats you might be able to spare. I love you all so much and will be thinking of you always. 

Asalaa maalekum (peace be with you in Wolof), 

Rachel

Me and all of my stuff for the next 27 months!