Finally an Update! Staging!

After leaving Cape Cod at 6:30 am (only after chasing Bomber through the house for 30 min) and departing PVD at 9:30, I finally made it to PC Staging in Philadelphia. Upon my arrival and hauling my bags off the luggage carousel, I quickly realized that I am unable to carry all my stuff (50 lb hiking backpack, 45 lb duffel, stuffed llbean backpack, pillow, and shoulder tote). I struggled for a little bit to get it all on and soon as I thought I had it all under control, something would fall out of my tote and onto the floor...unreachable with all the bags on me. This was extremely frustrating, not to mention a little embarrassing, and so I decided to just pay the $4 for a cart to wheel all my stuff outside. Once I was mobile, I scurried out to catch the shuttle to my hotel. On the drive to the hotel, I overheard two girls in front of me talking about Peace Corps and blogs they read, knowing they were part of my group I introduced myself and soon we were so wrapped up in out conversation we forgot all about the six other people sitting silently next to us (yes, we were "those girls"). Soon enough we were at the hotel, all our luggage loaded onto carts and waiting to be wheeled up to our rooms. After checking in to our rooms I was surprised to find that my roommate, Carolina, was one of the girls I met on the airport shuttle.

After dropping our things off in our room, Carolina and I joined the rest of the group in the conference room and our orientation began. As my first official day as a Peace Corps Trainee (PCT) I was not excited to spend it filling out paperwork, little did I know how much fun this orientation would be...First, we did hand in some paperwork, but then after a few ice breakers and learning just a bit more about what we will actually be doing in Guinea, me and my fellow PCTs got to have a good time to getting to know one another and getting better acquainted with PC in general. 

Once the staging meeting ended, Carolina and I ventured out into the city in search of food. On our walk we passed by City Hall and got to witness the Occupy movement...it was very cool seeing it live after hearing so much about it in the media. I was surprised at the turnout and that a bunch of them even had tents set up nearby; it was strange that I really felt like I was part of history happening just while walking by the protesters. After consuming a giant/amazing philly cheesesteak (wizz wit...aka cheese wiz with peppers, onions, mushrooms) we returned to the room. Although it was quite a long day, it was great finally getting to meet everyone that I have been chatting with on Facebook over the past few months. I still don't believe I am really leaving the country tomorrow...and still unsure what exactly I am getting myself into! Hope all is well at home, will be in touch soon  <3 Brittany