correction

i just talked to my one of my family members last night, who, frankly, i think is a little embarrassed about my last post. soooo i will clarify. i was NOT asking for money for Rio, b/c by the time i go there i will be finished with peace corps and have gotten my "reajustment allowence" which is basically a lump sum of money to help me restart my life in the states. what i was saying is that my bday and xmas are coming up, so anyone who was in the gift giving spirit, and/or planned on sending me a package (which i LOVE btw) i was just saying it would be better if i had some cash right now for my visa to mali.

ok, that is enough of that mess, sorry i ever got into it...

right now i am in a nearby friend's town hanging out with a few other volunteers for the weekend. i really like coming here not only to see my friends, but because the UNICEF office here lets us use their internet yay! since i have no cell phone service or land lines in my tiny village it is so exciting to talk to people from home and find out the new vp candidates etc.

last week my friend Ciara came to visit me. i was was so surprised but in a good way. i showed her around my village, and we cooked together and spent a lot of time sitting out in front of my neighbor's house watching the world go by. good stuff. i never realize how integrated i am in my village until someone comes to visit and i can show them around. the highlight of her trip for me was when 2 important men from my reforestation group came by and made a big production of giving me 10 cola nuts wrapped in a big leaf (the biggest sign of respect you can make). they went on to tell Ciara how happy they are to work with me and how i was such a good worker (which made me feel guilty bc i really dont feel like i work that much, certainly not the 40 or so hours id be working in the states) but it is good bc it motivates me to know that whatever work i do do is appreciated. anyway, i was again surprised when on monday night a car full of people (admin and a volunteer) showed up at my hut. it is so rare that the actual director of pc guinea would come all the way over to my region (the one farthest away from the capital) so i was very impressed he and his wife made the uncomfortable journey all the way out to see some Haute Guinea region volunteers' sites. anyway, i should prob go now b/c there are some people waiting, but matt, i cant WAIT till you come and i can show you around. i love yall as always!!!