New season, Busy season

Sorry I haven't written since July but August kept me on my feet and in & out of my village a lot!

The highlight was Rachel Adam's visit. The 9 short days felt more like minutes than a little over a week. Upon her arrival I thoroughly exhausted her with more stuff the 1st day than I accomplish in a week and less than 24 hours into country we were already back in my village. I had been talking about her visit for a while so my villagers were pretty excited. We were able to see about 20 giraffes, she watched me get muddy and see what really happens to my hut during rainy season, met all my closest girl friends (PCVs), and went to a wedding (dancing was sadly canceled by rain). I'm happy to report that she escaped without getting sick... I however was not so luckily (story of my life). We met up with a friend from Camp Lurecrest, Carlos Sanchez, who in one of the craziest coincidences is also living in Niger. I loved every second of having her here. Someone to understand me for who I really am. And why bush taxis and being dirty ALL the time is a slightly bigger deal for me. Plus she had the opportunity to see the place I have fallen in love with.

She left and shortly after I had a demyster. That's when a trainee comes to stay with a PCV to see how "we" live. There is another North Carolinian (Katherine) and we actually went to the same church in Wilmington, small world. Elizabeth & she seemed to enjoy themselves and are both new members of Team Dosso.

Currently I'm back up at the training site helping out where I'm needed. And answering lots & lots of questions. For the weekend break Michelle, my other education stagemate went to a friends village, Kevin. It was gorgeous and great escape from the bush. He has a huge messa that we hiked around for a few hours and then his villagers killed 2 chickens for lunch (read:REALLY expensive). The trip was exhausting but lots of fun. Now I'm back in Nimaey for the next 2 days visiting various NGO's with the trainees, Hellen Kellar Int'l, various organizations of the UN, and some that are specific to Niger.

The 45th Anniversary of uninterrupted service in Niger will also be marked by the swear-in of this training group, Sept. 25. So lots going on here. David Liner a friend of the family and a "big-cheese" at PC Washington will be in the festivities as well as the director of Peace Corps Worldwide is coming to my village. So lots of reasons to be happy and busy. Not to mention my 23rd birthday in just 16 days (Sept 19)!!! But I must say I'll be happy when October finally gets here and I'll be able to spend some serious time in my village as well as get work done. Then just waiting it out until my mom arrives on Christmas Eve... that day can't come soon enough.

Love you all!!!