the launchpad

Staging is happening now (following nomination and placement, preceding training and volunteering), in a hotel in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. I’m on lunch break. The conference room we’re using contains unnecessary quantities of molding and faux-crystal light fixtures, and a gaudy carpet that does its best to distract from the proceedings. This is good. It is an aspect of the United States I will be happy to bid farewell to when we leave for the airport tomorrow morning (at 4:30).

The sessions have been more entertaining than I expected.  Lots of drawing stick figures with scented magic markers, preparing skits, and general ballyhoo.  This day and a half in the hotel serves to acclimate us to the idea that what we’ve been preparing for for so many months is ACTUALLY HAPPENING, and to let us get comfortable with our co-trainees. There are 29 of us. I like what I’ve seen so far from the group.  They’ve taken to the ballyhoo quickly.  They are game.

Later.  Just got back from RFK stadium.  I went with several of the other trainees to a Nationals game.  We arrived during the second inning, which meant we missed the pre-game ceremony honoring the Peace Corps.  !!!!  Flags of the 138 countries the PC has sent volunteers to were carried around the field, and the director of the PC threw the first pitch (which went over the plate!  way to rep!)  Hugely unfortunate to miss the festivities, but it was super fun to see a baseball game hours before leaving for El Sal.  And we got to chat with several PC admins, who are glowingly good folks.

It hasn’t sunk in yet.  The fact that I’ll be in El Salvador in 14 hours, that is.  This seems impossible on the one hand, and just fine on the other.  The fact remains that I’ll be there.

That’s it for now. Got to start somewhere. Here is my mailing address, not the same one I gave to some folks:

PCT Gabriel Rogers

Cuerpo de Paz ~ El Salvador

Correo Nacional

Centro de Gobierno

Apartado Postal #1947

San Salvador, El Salvador, Central America