The Beginning is Beginning

Well I leave for Peace Corps orientation in Philly today! The last few days have been dedicated to packing two years worth of stuff into two bags (ridiculous!) and enjoying all the little things I love about home. Sorry if the following streams of thought are kind of jumbled, I just don't have the focus to organize them right now.

It's been pretty cool this last week because as I'm preparing for my own departure, I get to watch my great friend, Andrew, go through what I'm about to experience. I don't think I've mentioned it before, but he's serving in Kyrgyzstan as a health and wellness volunteer. He's going to finish up his service about a week before I do and we are already planning great backpacking adventures around Asia before we head back to the States. I think I get an added bonus in that I get to be excited for my own Peace Corps experience, but I also get to be excited for him. Also, I think it'll be interesting to compare each other's experiences and just add to the cultural exchange.

As far as my own preparations go, I think I did a pretty good job packing wise, bringing all the necessities but managing to squeeze in some fun stuff for me too. I do however think it will be an accomplishment to arrive in Georgia without a busted zipper or seam since my bags are soooo full... I also look like a much more hunchier Hunchback of Notre Dame when carrying my hiking pack. Oh well, everything has it's squished place and there's no turning back now!

Here's what my stuff looked like before I whittled down the load and packed:

              

... and that's only clothes and shoes. I have so much more stuff like toiletries, gifts for home stay families and friends in country, my computer and various gadgets, and other things. 

This is what it looks like all packed up: 

I would like to state for the record that I managed to squeeze 10 pairs of shoes into my luggage, and if you don't think that's impressive, you're wrong. I haven't even left the country yet and I'm already proud of what I've accomplished in the Peace Corps haha. I will remind you there is TWO YEARS worth of stuff in those bags. I'll try to put up an official packing list at some point. 

My other priority before leaving has been food. I know I'm going to miss all the variety in food while I'm abroad. To give some perspective: there is a new Wendy's opening up in Tbilisi in a few months and all the older volunteers plan on camping out to get the very first Wendy's burgers to be served in Georgia. Kidding, but there is a TON of excitement circulating the grand opening. I'm not so much of a Wendy's gal (not yet at least) so instead I've been making sure to fit in all the different food ethnicities. Mexican, Japanese, Indian, and as much seafood as possible. Wish I was kidding when I said I planned out the entire week in food... no regrets. 

I feel like this year in general I've been able to get a lot of "firsts" under my belt. I got to play in real, fresh snow for the first time in New York, participated in the Double Bridge Run (15K run), went to a gun range and shot my first gun, I took the GRE (blechhhh), I got my first musical instrument (ukulele) and I ran my first half marathon!

As my departure draws nearer and nearer, I also find myself taking note of all my "lasts" - or I should say "lasts... for now." Not in a sad way though, in a commemorative one. On Tuesday I swam in the Gulf for the last time, on Wednesday I drove my own car for the last time, Thursday I sweat my ass off in body conditioning for the last time, last night I ate my favorite sushi for the last time, today I'll be in Pensacola for the last time! Not looking forward to the near future when I'm having my commemorative "last-for-now" hot showers, reliable internet, and modern toilet... but that's for future me to deal with.

The next steps for me include orientation in Philly on the 21st, then starting the trek to Georgia the next morning, arriving in Tbilisi on Tuesday the 23rd around 4:30PM. There's going to be a 9 hour time difference for me and after over 24 hours of traveling I can only imagine I'll be pooped. As soon as we arrive there will be a little welcoming event with press and members of government, and then we get to experience our first Georgian feast (or Supra). Then the following week or so is Staging and then our three month training commences.

The anticipation is almost too much.
Also, thinking about what I'll eat for my last-for-now Pensacola breakfast...