John's Next Step

Everything packed.  49 lbs in the big bag and 47.5 lbs in my backpack.  Extra room in both all bags. I’ve finished packing and wanted to share my method of packing, rather than a detailed list of every item I’m taking.   I’m taking two large bags to be checked along with a small backpack, and a computer bag as carry on.  My small backpack should be sufficient for staging and the first few days of training on the island.  The rest of the stuff I think I might need during the few months of training is in one of the bags.  The second large bag, my backpack, is reserved for site and I should not need items from that bag during training. Small backpack I’ll be flying to Miami on Sunday afternoon.  Monday will be meetings and paperwork before final departure for St. Lucia Tuesday morning.  All I need for the first week is a few shirts, a pair of slacks, and such.  Not pictured in my shaving kit.  I also have a wallet and coin purs...

My visit to Belgium, France, and Holland was made great by the hospitality of some dear friends. My friend Gilbert picked me up in Brussels and took me to his home and family in Mons.  He drove me all around Belgium and into France.  I stayed several days longer than I had originally planned because of their amazing hospitality. Gilbert and his family Gilbert and me in his background A brass guardhouse monkey in the Mons on the Grand Place.  Rubbing with left hand for good luck. There is beer in Belgium.  My surprise was when we visited family and friends I would be served beer in the appropriate glass designed for the beer. Bar in Mons made from old copper brewing equipment Selection of some beers available There are also waffles in Belgium. Different options for waffles This picture does not give justice to the shale hill that my friend and I climbed in his attempt to kill me or something on my first full ...

OK - I thought I had posted this already.  Europe went well - pictures to follow .... This week will be more thoughts on why I’m taking these next steps.  In part this is to provide the reader with context for the path I’m on, in part to capture my thoughts for myself, and in part – to stall until I can post pictures and stories of my Peace Corps experience.  But first, … Trip to Europe I leave for Europe this Wednesday.   At some point I really need to think about packing.   I did wash cloths today in preparation so that is a start.   I've lived out of a knapsack with three changes of cloths for weeks at a time, so I'm more relaxed about packing these days.   However, that was as a grungy Peace Corps volunteer so I will need more cloths and a few nice things to wear as a tourist. Next week I will be radio silent, not being creative enough to write a blog post ahead of time.  Hopefully, I will have remembered to pack my camera and I ca...