and so it goes

this week was my first official week as a peace corps volunteer, after swear-in, i left for my site. i am replacing a volunteer, he helped me out a lot teaching me the ropes and about the people. and i understand much more of his tashelheit (the language i speak) than anyone elses, so it's great for me to listen to him have conversations and ask for any clarification that i need.

i've decided to move into the last volunteer's old house. it's an awesome (or it will be.. once i'm done with it) house. the kitchen only has three walls and the third is arches so you can look out and see the sunrise and the mountains. i posted pictures which i will send an email link to (let me know if you don't get it an want it) i posted pictures of his house from our field trip. now i just have to make it through two months of host family then i can be off on my own. i am really looking forward to the freedom and independence. it's kind of nice to have as much self-direction in my job as i do. so far i found that i have been much more motivated to do things, and i've started reading up on some potential projects.

people have been very nice. i find that i get along best with the 17 or 18 year old girls. they usually have some schooling so i can get them to slow down when the speak and most of the girls my age are already married with several children.

but you know, i'm really excited about all of this, i think it's going to be a great two years. it'll be rough at times, but i think this is where i belong right now. i'm glad i did it.

and for the record. i have now seen a camel. there were four running through the street this morning in ouarzazate. they don't belong here. so a current count: one monkey, four camels, sixteen thousand june bugs, eighteen cockroaches, millions of ants, and four geckos.