D Day

Hard to believe, but in about 6 hours I will be heading out to the Spokane airport where I will catch a flight to LA for my Peace Corps staging event.  Its been a long time since I first started the application (roughly 2 years), but after many bumps and turns, the day is finally here.  Definitely a little nervous and overwhelmed by the whole thing, but I can safely say that I am PSYCHED about getting out of the US and on my way to Vanuatu (if you havent already, I strongly encourage you to google some pictures, it looks ridiculous).  And it could not come at a better time.  This is the time of year (more like a few weeks ago) when Northern Idaho goes from being unbelievably awesome, where everyday is sunny and warm, to crap.  Yesterday was wet and cold.  Today is....wet and cold. Why anyone would want to spend a full winter here is beyond me.

Anyway, back to the task at hand.  I am totally packed and ready to go.  Peace Corps regulations state that our two bags cannot weigh more than 80 lbs combined, and no single bag can weigh more than fifty pounds.  Since I dont have a scale and refused to buy one for the sole purpose of weighing my luggage, Im hoping my bags meet these specs (if not, I may be hosting a free giveaway at the airport; used underwear anybody?)  Looks about right i think:

As far as my schedule goes, ill be leaving for LA in aprox 8 hours. There, the PC staff will confirm our identities and host a series of activities and talks.  My impression is that the point of this "staging event" is to act as a final filter so the PC staff can make sure we are not crazy and/or emotionally unstable.  At 9:30pm that same day we will board our 13 hour flight (leaving at 9 30 pm) to Auckland, NZ.  After a small layover in NZ, we will be hoping on another plane for Vanuatu.  Once we get there, our three month training period begins.  

It is now 2 30 am and I still have a few things to get done.  I should probably put away my computer and get to it.  Im going to try and post things on here as often as I can.  Not really sure what my internet situation is going to be like over there.  Im guessing pretty much non-existent for the better part of my training.  If you would like to send me letters or other things (which would be cool), my address is as follows:

Zachary Sherrard   

Peace Corps Vanuatu

PMB 9097

Port Vila

Republic of Vanuatu

Pura Vida, and the next time you hear from me I may be chillin with these dudes: