It's been real, It's been fun...but it's time to go

Well I came into Niamey 5 days ago and I've had my fill. I'm so ready to be back in my village and see my friends! My time here has been great though.

• Got a huge thing of ice cream from the best APCD (Assistant PC Director) in all the land... Thanks Gaston!
• Had a great talk with Mary... oh the wonders a hug will do
• Realized that I couldn't have been serving in a better country with Peace Corps
• Spent about $40 (17,000cfa) at score a french grocery store... but I had raviolli for dinner, a golden delicious apple and get this... a TWIX... get in my belly!
• But without a doubt the highlight has been being able to talk with my mom and friends...

A little update on my health. Test revealed that I acquired the strep from breath in dust from the sand. (Modern technology & medicine are great things!) So my doctor asked that I avoid sand and children. I tried my best to not to laugh but even when I met with Mary (my Country Director) she couldn't help but laugh. Let me paint a picture. On the walk from the hostel to here I talked to 7 kids and my feet are dusty... and that was about a 10 minute walk.. My concession is nothing but sand... and my job is to look out for the health of little kids. I found out this is likely to happen several more times to me... haha...but he loaded me up with some wicked effective antibiotic, penicillin, and lots of bandages. When I was talking about with some other volunteers they remarked at how positive I was. I mean I've got medicine, I've got friends, I've got villagers who love & care for me... Life is good.

Being in Niamey for this past week with other PCVs (no other newbies...meaning nobody from my stage). I have set up some goals for myself.

1. I will not have a 3hr.+ long negative conversation about "How Niger sucks..."
2. I will go out of my way to make new volunteers feel welcome
3. I won't get strep throat of the face again...I can handle the kind that stays in my throat.

Well I'm off! Take care of you! I'll be back in Niamey the first week in Dec... and that's when I'll buy my cell phone!