fifth week in
hey all, 5th week in and still going strong. training has been great so far, all of the PCTs (Peace Corps Trainees) that we’re here with are really cool; the staff and everyone else are great too, like our nigerien family (who’s the nicest fam ever). we are losers on site right now, however, as we have only gotten one piece of mail. so if you want to make us feel special send things to:
Tim VanderBeek and/or Jolene McCall
Corps de la Paix
B. P. 10537
Niamey, Niger
Anyways, all is very well. We have gotten to have some great experiences such as traditional dancing, riding in bush taxis, killing intimidating rodents and insects by hand and other stuff. i’m short on time right now, but i can say that we’ll find out where we will be living for the rest of our stay here this friday, which is exciting. We will be out east in the maradi or konni regions, so that is sweet. if you feel like sending anything to as at all feel free, we will love whatever it is. i have already read more books in the last 5 weeks than I have read in the last 2 years, so a piece of mail to mix things up would be exciting. a new soccer ball for x-mas/b-day would be nice too, since we’re already down one on that front, and jolene is (as always) yearning for some m&ms to help keep her going. if you do send things, know that all of the bags are searched multiple times, and some things tend to disappear. i’ve been given the following advice, put the good stuff on bottom, and back as many things in tampon/tampax boxes as possible, as it generally dissuades potential theifs.
miss and love you all
aboubacar (tim)