AHH!! Eight days left

So time has flown by. I have exactly eight days left to say goodbye to everyone I love, pack my life away into two bags, turn the air conditioning all the way up in the house and really really enjoy it, eat lots of American food, wear dresses that do not come down to mid-calf, and party down as much as possible.

I have done pretty much all that I need to do before I go (insurance, car, epipen, appropriate clothes, supplies, apartment, some shots, a ridiculous amount of paperwork, etc...I could go on and on but I'm sure you get the point) That being said, this week should be pretty fun. Playing around Greensboro with George, Claire, and Andrew. Charlotte Tuesday to see Witknee, Mike, Lauren, and DB one last time before I go. Alice and Vahid are coming in-town Friday night. I'm sure once Alice has a couple drinks in her Toto's "Africa" will be the only thing coming out of her mouth all night. And then Katrina and Ali are visiting on Saturday night. I cannot wait to see all of them.

I'm trying my hardest not to let my apprehension of what I'm about to do get in the way of enjoying spending the little time left I have with everyone. It's hard though. I'll be having a great time with someone and then my mind wanders to me leaving and then to how much I am going to miss that person sitting across from me.

Although I am extremely nervous, I'm just as excited. I'm tired of telling people about what I'm going to be doing. I want to get there and do it. I cant wait to learn new languages, skills, meet new people, and even face the challenges that will inevitably come along with living there. I cant wait to tell you all about what I am doing! But your patience is important. I am not sure yet how often I will be able to talk to you all or post. I have no idea yet where I will be placed in The Gambia. Most of the country has no electricity or running water so I will most likely only be able to access internet occasionally. But at least once a month when I come to the capital to get money. There might be a chance that I will work at a school with internet access, which would be great...but who knows.

If you want to write me (please do!!) here is my mailing address for the entire time I am there:

Caroline Stamatakis, PCT*
C/O Peace Corps/ The Gambia
P.O. Box 582
Banjul, The Gambia
West Africa

** the PCT after my name will change to PCV after September 3rd when I am done training and sworn in as an actual volunteer (this is important so that my mail doesnt get mixed up)

From what they told me it can sometimes take more than a month or sometimes two to get letters so make sure to date the letter. I WILL write back!!