Aforementioned Links About Mauritania

3 Days to go until Stage in Philadelphia, and I can barely contain my excitement. At the same time, I have a 5+ page long packing list and an 80 pound limit on my luggage, somehow these two don't seem to meet in the middle.


I am posting these links so that all my readers can get a rough idea of what I'm getting myself into. They probably do not account for about 98% of what I'm about to experience in the coming 2 years. I find that to be the best part!!

http://www.salon.com/wire/ap/D8OAOT3G0.html

http://www.salon.com/mwt/broadsheet/2007/04/17/fat_in_mauritania/index.html

http://lexicorient.com/mauritania/

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5467.htm

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/africa/mauritania/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/country_profiles/791083.stm

http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Country_Specific/Mauritania.html

12 Days and Counting...

Here is my address in case anyone would like to write to me or send me emergency supplies during training:

Heather Wyllie, PCT
Corps de la Paix
B.P. 222
Nouakchott, Mauritania
West Africa

**Please note that padded envelopes work best, don't declare a value on the package, and try to wrap the package up in tape so I can tell whether its been tampered with. Also writing PAR AVION (airmail) has proven effective according to past volunteers**

I also cannot begin to mention how unprepared I feel as the days to my departure wind down. I guess the best thing I can do is enjoy home as best I can, and make the most of it as I'll be missing it terribly, soon enough.

5 Weeks 5 Days

Until I get to Philadelphia with 76 other volunteers to meet up, get shots, eat cheesesteak (I'm thinking Geno's -any opinions?). Two days after that we board a plane bound for Mauritania, with an estimate of 3 or so layovers. I will eventually get to Kaedi, Mauritania to start my training.

Until then, what will I be doing? I have to work and attend about 72 happy hours/going away things until my dad comes to Washington, DC and moves my stuff out of my apartment June 9th.

Then I have several weeks to chill out, start packing, hang with my dog and my family and everyone in Babylon before June 23rd, the BIG HUGE SUPER PHANTASM Going Away/Lyzzy's Graduation party we're currently planning. Did I mention it will be pirate themed? I think you should attend. I have couches for you all to crash on.

I will try to answer as many questions as you guys have about Mauritania through this blog.

I meant to post alot of informative websites about Mauritania and its culture, but there are few and alot of them are in French. I will save that for next time.

Instead I will post my amazon.com wishlist, so you may see what I need before I leave for Mauritana.

The Birth of my blog!!!

I had to set this sucker up sometime. This is it, you've reached the official "Heather Wyllie joins the Peace Corps, is sent to Mauritania" Blog. More to follow, such as my address and other neat facts.