Today was the last day of our 2 day staging in Philadelphia. I learned all about Peace Corps policy (blog responsibly!) and the basics of what to expect when we arrive in Mozambique. The biggest part of staging was to get to know the other 58 people in our group. Moz 13 (that's our group!) is a young group, with everyone under the age of 30. Everyone I've met is really nice and very enthusiastic. I've had so much built up anticipation over this day that its hard to believe I'm really leaving tomorrow! Eeeeeeeeeeee

I started my malaria meds which was pretty exciting! I took a picture. Ate a philly cheesesteak. Did a lot of interactive group activities. That was staging! I'm praying that my luggage is under the weight limit tomorrow because the only other thing I could really take out would be a textbook which would be sad. Tomorrow we arrive in Johannesburg (Jo-burg as the cool kids call it), South Africa where we'll spend the night. The next day we leave for Maputo, the capital of Mozambique where we'll spend the next 4 days learning some 'survival portugues' and way important things I guess. Then we're off to stay with our host families! I'm off to rearrange a few things and try to get a good nights sleep before i GO TO AFRICA!!!

My First Blog Ever

I leave for Mozambique in 3 days!!

Things have been a little crazy lately trying to wrap everything up and pack. I thought I was doing pretty well on the packing front; almost everything fit into my 3 bags. Then I tried to lift my first bag and couldn't. Soooo I have to do a little bit more "prioritizing" to do in order to keep it under the weight limit.

Once I arrive in Mozambique for training, I will be about 2 hours outside of the capital, Maputo. I probably won't be able to communicate through email very often during the 10 week training, but I'll update this when I get the chance. I also really appreciate letters! Mail can take anywhere between 2 weeks and a month, so it may take a while, but I'll definitely get back to you!

Please sent mail to:
Stephanie Goettl, PCV
U.S. Peace Corps
C.P. 4398
Maputo
Mozambique

It helps to write airmail on the envelopes and number your letters so I know if any have been lost in the mail.

Tchau!