Training

So I'm here now in Jamaica since the 3rd.

The first day was pretty intense, with leaving the hotel by 5:30am (1:30 still to me with pacific time..), getting to the airport to wait five hours for our flight (Peace Corps policy to ensure timely arrival) then flying to Jamaica (only an hour and 1/2) and then a REALLY long customs line, getting the luggage and out the doors. The Peace Corps staff and some current volunteers met us at the entrance with big smiles and needed water bottles. So I knew it would be hot, but ooooooh boy, it's HOT here!

We take a quick group photo and then jump on the buses. It was a really interesting ride to the place where we are staying (exact locations will be left out of this blog for security reasons) Jamaica is truly a mixed land of poverty and beauty. When we arrived we were immediately hit with tons of paperwork. We then got to purchase a cell phone and given a few minutes to take a shower. After the shower we headed for dinner. To my nice surprise we were joined by the US Ambassador and the Jamaican Foreign Minister. They gave lovely speeches and the dinner came. It was really good. I can tell I'm going to love the food here. Fish and Chicken and "Rice and Peas" with some cabbage. Then some excellent sweet potato pudding dessert. More speeches by the Country Director and then some Entertainers singing and dancing Jamaican cultural songs. The night, while fun, couldn't end too soon because I was EXHAUSTED. After talking to the folks and Summer via internet I crashed out and sweatily slept until morning.

The first full day of training was very informative going over beginning language skills, security, health, program (mine is Youth) and some other useful stuff. Today we got to go into Kingston with a staff guide. WOW. Yup pretty much WOW. The bus system is pretty complex and the people speak Patois really quickly. This is going to take a bit to get efficient at, but my staff person was informative, patient and helpful so it turned out to be really enjoyable. After giving in to the chaos it was really great. We went to several spots, which I am supposed to remember the names of but cant right now..... Except for downtown. That was where the mass market was and I picked up a couple items. We went for lunch and had more great food, this time I got my first bite of authentic Jerk Chicken (Yum! Yup back to poultry) We made it back to where we are staying and have the rest of the afternoon along with tomorrow off. Phew! I need it, this is really tiring.

More later!

(Some of you have been asking for the address for packages here, e-mail me and I will send it to you)