Volunteering is Expensive

I'm not even in Africa yet and already I find myself thinking about it all the time. It's less than a month away! I have apologized to my friends to always having a quip about the Peace Corps to contribute to conversations that amount to nonsequetors, but they have claimed not to mind. How sweet.

I already imagine a dog I will have in Senegal and have named him Scraps, but this blog title needs tinkering. I know I'm more creative than to call this blog "Rita's Peace Corps Adventure." It will change, I just have to think of the perfect title. Some titles I've been impressed with from other volunteers in Senegal include
-Heart and Soil
-Senegal Y'all
-This Senegalese Life (Why didn't I think of that?!)
- Love and Peace Corps (a little cheesey, perhaps, but who doesn't love cheese?)
-Lisa Did What?!?! (This blog's title is pretty good, but the actual content of the blog is pretty funny and expertly crafted. Lisa, I don't know you, but let's be friends).
If you have suggestions to help me name this blog, I will gladly take them, but I know that like my imaginary Senegalese dog Scraps, a name will present itself to me in due time. I mean, come on, I haven't even left yet. Not even really sure why I'm blogging.

 Stuff I've bought

Every now and again one must buy new underwear, shampoo, face wash, etc. But buying it all at once is a little overwhelming (thanks mom). The Peace Corps tells us that we should really only prepare for the first three months, which is the period dedicated to training. After we swear in as Peace Corps Volunteers, they will begin giving us our stipen which will more than cover cost of living. As I'm writing this, it seems reasonable, so I wish I had listened better.

Instead, I got the big shampoo, two face washes, two bottles of aloe, a big Listerine, a giant bag of baby wipes, and the list goes on. I put it all in my new duffel (used by the Israeli army- it looks super tough (thanks mom)) and it was a little awkward and probably heavier than I expected. Luckily I don't have too much more to pack, just clothes and a little bedding. I'm expecting to be able to pack everything into that duffel plus a daypack.


I don't want to put how much all those hygiene products cost.
I used my Peace Corps discount to buy of pair of chacos- $60
(peace corps discounts can be easily found on the Peace Corps wiki site. The wiki site is great. You can find packing lists there too).
sleeping bag- $25
insulated cold water Thermos- $30

I also went ahead and bought items I don't need

solar panel- $80
travel blokus- $15
soccer ball- $10 pump-$10
sketchpad- $10
eton solar powered radio- $60
little speakers that you can strap to your backpack- $20
canon point-and-shoot- $200

I would like to buy before I leave, but are also extras

wide-brimmed hat
a travel guitar. Maybe if you've been good.
a belt
print out a bunch of photos and get some yarn and clips with which to decorate
prescription sunglasses. cheapest of these I could find are $45/pair, other than ZenniOptical who I've had not great experience with.
a shammy
scissors for cutting hair
total fluency in Wolof and French. I know this one is a stretch, but I wrote a letter to Santa that went a little something like this:

Dear Santa,
Can I please have total fluency in Wolof and French? I know it's July, but I'm a Jewish girl in Kansas and thus have never asked you for anything ever before, so I was hoping you would find it in your heart or at least in that megabag I always see you with. Plus I will never ask you for anything ever again.
cordially,
Rita

I haven't yet heard back

 I'm not sure what else to get or how else to prepare. I've been downloading a bunch of podcasts and a few audiobooks. My kindle is loaded (thanks dad).

Someone created a facebook page for Peace Corps Senegal August 2011 and the people seem friendly and outgoing. I'm really looking forward to meeting them in person. Seems like most of us have our flights to DC. Now, we wait.