washington dulles int'l airport

there are currently 33 namibian peace corps volunteers in a strange huddle squatting in this airport waiting for the arrival of a south african airways representative to check us in and send us on our way. i just looked around and realized how funny we must look with a million (rough estimate) bags and band-aids in identical spots on the back of our left arms from our lovely yellow fever vaccines. it's too bad i'm a moron and misplaced my yellow WHO card with proof that i received the vaccine two years ago because i had to get the shot AGAIN. oh well, better safe. and of course i find it right when i get back to my bag. wanna know where it was?? secret pocket in the moleskine journal! damn you kimmie and ben.

this is all very exciting. i guess it's really happening now. as i said before, there are 33 of us traveling to namibia in group 30, which is a really good number in my opinion. they dropped us off at the airport at 11:30 and said see ya later. only then did we find out we would be sitting around until 2 waiting on a chance to check in. i'll be on this damn plane for 17 1/2 hours!! let's hope i avoid deep vein thrombosis!!! scary.

i just had a killer last american meal (roasted red pepper/tomato/crab soup and a spinach salad with feta and walnuts). i'm excited about getting on the plane and settling in so that it all finally comes together. we're meeting a guy named waldo (where?) at jo'burg and he's going to show us to our hotel.

well, we got a good group here. i'm holding on to the hope that all 33 of us will make it to the end of this crazy journey, but all signs point to the fact that that won't happen. not that we're going to die!! just get frustrated and drop out!

i love you all and i'll miss you, but i can't wait to get on with this part of my life.

i'll be in okahandja for the first couple of months, and as soon as i get a chance i'll post some pictures and update you on what's going on in my life.

SEE YOU SOON
shannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnon