We’ve started! After getting the best hugs from the finest friends and family anyone could ask for, we’ve arrived in Philly for staging. Two days in which we’ve been given much info about the PC (Peace Corps) operation, met the 61 other PCTs (Peace Corps Trainees) who are also part of the AZ6 (6th group to go to Azerbaijan.) We are a diverse group of people from all over the U.S. who share many of the same aspirations and anxieties as we embark on this adventure. We’ll each be working in one of three programs: CED (Community Economic Development); YDF (Youth Development Facilitator); or TEFL(Teaching English as Foreign Language.) There are 4 married couples and two former PCV (volunteers.) The average age of a volunteer is around 27, however there is a good contingent of over 50′s in our group.
We have a long travel day beginning today in Philly by bus and ending tomorrow night in Baku airport. So far, everything and everyone has been fantastic and our excitment continues to mount.
September 22, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Sounds like a great start. We are excited too and can’t wait to see what happens next. It is like the old days where stories were continued to the next day in the newspaper. Hope it is as exciting as my soap opera. Jane
September 24, 2008 at 11:19 am
Good Morning, my favorite PCTs of AZ6!
Eager to know how you are doing, when you settle in, send an email.
So glad you both now know how much you mean to everyone!
Stay well.
Peace & love, Donna & Frank
September 24, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Hi
You must be in Azerbaijan by now. How the weather? lol Hope that everything is going fine.
September 28, 2008 at 12:31 am
Hi Dorothy and Bill,
Here we are in Wisconsin on another beautiful fall day. The corn is as high as an elephant’s eye and just about ready to be harvested. I am trying to imagine what life is and is going to be like for you two. I am thinking of you everyday! We will read your blog and come along for the ride!
Love,
Linda and Phil
September 28, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Hi ub and ad,
Me, Stac and the kids, uncle mike and G are visiting Babci. We’re teaching Babci about blogs and e-mail and internet access. I sent ub an e-mail, but my guess is that it’s somewhere around 4 or 5 in the morning in Azerbaijan.
Babci is skeptical that you can communicate with the outside world. There doesn’t appear to be an update since you’ve arrived so either you’re terribly busy getting up to speed or are having trouble getting online which validates Babci’s skepticism of technology:)
We all hope you are doing well and look forward to seeing an update.
Love,
Matt, Stacee and Kids; G, Babci, Uncle Mike, Katie and Juan
September 29, 2008 at 12:00 am
Hi guys, I never did a blog before, so I am testing to see if I do it right. Looking forward to your weekly (monthly) updates. Can you send pictures? Ray