Now a word from Home (Written 10/17/05)

Today I had the opportunity to check my email since the second day I got here and while it has only been a week, it definitely feels like we've gone through a month of activities. Since the beginning of last week we've flown in from different parts of the country to LA and then from LA to half way across the globe to Samoa. It's been quite a ride – let me tell you. The one thing that you definitely realize that you miss is the voice of your support system (i.e. family and friends). While I was able to contact a few people through email the day after I got here, I did not get to see their responses till today since you have to pay for internet access at the café's and they are not cheap (from the Tala perspective). So when I opened up my gmail account and saw the few pieces of email I received from families and friends it really brightened my day. A lot wrote back that they were surprised I was able to get back online so quickly (this just goes to prove that not all 3^rd world' countries conform to the US definition of 3^rd world). I guess sometimes it takes an adventure like this to realize the things that are important to you personally once you have those things kinda taken away from you. So for those who think that we as PCTs are just having a blast down here in Samoa without a care in the world – think again. All of Group 75 has tried to get in contact with family and friends within the first week either through phone calls (although family/friends in the state may want to look at www.leancards.com for cheap phone card rates – a PCV that's currently here uses them and said her parents pay about $20-$30 for the card and get about 45 minutes), the internet or the mail system (expect to receive those before thanksgiving!). No matter how far away you are – the ones we love back at home are constantly on our minds. That's why its so great to find a sports bar here in Apia that plays sports from back home – rugby may be fun to the locals, but good ole American football or baseball is what I'm talking about!

            On a side note, just to show how small a world we live in there's a current volunteer here named Nella that not only use to work at Kings Island when she was in high school (I visited Kings Island earlier this fall) but she absolutely loves the Rock (who of course is the cornerstone of Team Bring It!) and was in Samoa when he came back to Samoa for the first time since he was a kid. I was so jealous, you wouldn't believe it! So who knew PCVs could have so much in common other then trying to save the world!

            Anyway, keep the letters, emails and phone calls coming – we definitely need to hear (or read) the sound of a friendly voice in this unfamiliar territory. L8r.