25 months to go!!

OK! So I am trying to finally put some pics up- there is a link on the left side of this page to my photobucket account. The internet here is running super slow so we'll see what I can do! If it doesn’t work, I will be back to the internet in August, so I will try again then! We've been at home stay- where we live with a host family for 6 weeks- and it has been rough! It’s hard having to tell someone your every move and always be told you’re doing things wrong- the Saramaccans have their own way for everything- which is of course the only way! Most of the other volunteers have their own houses- some even with beds! (Sleeping in a hammock for 3.5 weeks has definitely made me miss my featherbed!) The first day, my 'mom' took me to my room (I am not one of the lucky ones with my own house)-it's basically an 8x8 foot storage space that I share with bats, mice, ants and the occasional lizard. I've managed to keep the bats out- mostly- by stuffing every possible hole with toilet paper-they still manage to get in! My first meal was-shocking-chicken and rice. Luckily I was able to tell my mom that I love peanut butter (pinda kasi) so I get that and bread every morning. We didn't have a latrine for the first few days, so that was definitely a challenging experience (involving Ziplock bags). We go to the river/shower/kitchen sink/trash can/garbage disposal/washing machine (really multipurpose!) every day after our language classes- the Saramaccan is coming along slowly-very slowly! All the volunteers have been in the capital since Thursday- the first group of volunteers are leaving to go home, and we are having a party for the 4th of July. I’m super excited bc they’re making us hamburgers-I am still having trouble with the food! Every once in awhile we will get something at our home stay that reminds me of something back home- fried casaba and ketchup=hash browns. Fried plantains=funnel cake( they really like their friedness here!) Since we’ve been here in the city we’ve been able to find more American food- they have a Pizza Hut and KFC and a Starbuckish place. Finally got some mail a few weeks back- THANK YOU Nic mom and grandma! It’s so exciting to hear from you! We’re headed back to our homestays tomorrow and have 3 more weeks there- then swearing in in August. I got to go to my site for a few days last week and met the village- luckily the current volunteer is still there so she took me around and introduced me. It was basically 4 really awkward days with me just smiling, saying ‘Ay’ yes to everything (bc of course I usually have no idea what they’re saying!) and being exhausted from trying to understand a different language all day. I still can’t believe that I am in the jungle- this experience really makes you take things into perspective and challenge youself, and it’s rough- really rough! But it’s worth it! OK- I miss you all and love you and will talk to you soon!!!! (mom- I got 2 letters) (Happy Birthday Aunt Rosemary and grandma and Em and Jazzie (25!!!) (NIC I LOVE YOUR RING and I am already super excited to come home and see it (and you and everyone else, I guess))