Game on Cameroon.

I'm happy to report that I've survived my first few days in Cameroon! So far we haven't left the hotel much, but I'm getting to know my fellow travelers "stage-mates", and it's looking like we have a pretty good crew. It's nice to be with other Americans, because the culture shock is already beginning to set in. Folks, we're not in Kansas, Minnesota, or New York anymore. To start off, it turns out that they do in fact speak French here. While I had always known that this would be the case, I was pretty fully unprepared for the speed at which the people here speak or how dumb I feel when I can't understand most of what they're saying. It does turn out that my French education wasn't completely a wash-I can usually get my main point across even if my grammar is almost always wrong. And just to be clear, all those French quizzes freshman year definitely will not go to waste. 

So far we've pretty much just had basic orientation, although there's definitely been more than enough information shared to keep us all a little bit nervous. There are 10 different regions in Cameroon, and they all seem to have their own advantages and challenges. They call Cameroon "Africa in miniature", and although I've never been to any other part of Africa it does sound like an appropriate nickname. The regions include the hot and sahel north, the Anglophone Northwest and Southwest, the wild South and the jungle East. I'm not sure what my preference for region is yet, and there seem to be a lot of factors to consider. My main criteria going in was the likelihood that I would get to see an elephant, but our hosts here warned me that elephants are not very common at all, which was a pretty serious bummer. 

There was good news in training, though. It turns out that my guacamole addiction is not going to be a problem here. Word on the street (or at least in this hotel) is that when they are in season you can get 7 avocados for $.20!! So maybe I'll be okay out here. And mangos are also widely available, which is pretty sweet. The other food news is not as promising though. So far I've been having pretty serious PB&J cravings, and the apples/cheddar situation is bleak. But stay tuned. We leave for our homestays on Wednesday, and I think our freedom and market access will increase dramatically. I'm pretty pumped for the homestays, which will be in Bafia, a small town about 2 hours away. We will begin our language, cross-cultural, and technical trainings once we're in Bafia, and I'm really looking forward to improving my French (and thus communication) skills. It sounds like things are going to get real in Bafia, though. The shower situation at the hotel is a little bleak (picture turning on the shower to a rush of cool air), but in Bafia it's bucket showers all the way. I'm definitely going to grow up on this trip, but I'll keep you all posted as to how it goes. 

On the health front, we're all doing okay so far. They started us on an anti-malarial as soon as we got here, and we all got our medical kits today. They have all the med stuff on lockdown, so it's looking like we'll all be adequately prepared. The stories of terrifying bugs have already begun though, and it's potentially going to be more than I bargained for. It turns out that I really didn't know everything that I don't know, if that makes any sense. 

Final thought: we all took spirit animal tests (or assigned them to each other). I was hoping for elephant, but so excited to be recognized as an OTTER!! Not that I was that surprised… So much otter love to all you otters out there. Arr arr arr. 

That's all for now. Not too homesick yet, but it definitely feels like I'm far from home. Quote of the day: "You smell good! That's so rare!" And so it begins…

All we do is win. (Summer 2013)

The whole fam at graduation

Missing you both already!

It's hard to believe that it's finally September. What an incredible summer it has been, filled with adventures and playtime and even a little bit of work thrown in. I finished my classes at Carleton in April and spent the following months working in Faribault, MN with their college access program. Not the most traditional way to spend senior spring, but it was a wonderful way to finish my time in Minnesota. My four years there were better than I could have ever expected, and finishing my time there was certainly bittersweet. It turns out that saying goodbye to the people that have become your family is one of the harder things that I've had to do in a while. My friends are all off to do incredible things and we will be all over the map, in France, China, San Francisco, Northfield, Brooklyn, and many places in between. It was certainly nice when we were all within a five minute bike ride, but I'm excited for the journeys that we have all taken thus far, and the ones that we will continue to take.

So it turns out that the
Corn Palace in SD is a real
thing, complete with
Cornelius, the mascot. 

For me, this summer has has been one of American exploration and discovery. I may not have spent the whole summer traversing the country on my bike like someone I know, but I went as far west as Yellowstone before eventually heading east towards home. I had known this already, but was reminded this summer what a beautiful place this country is, and how wild and varied it can be.

#foxuniverse fiesta!

At the beginning of August I was lucky enough to spend a few weeks at Camp AmeriKids, where I continue to be awed by the magic that happens there. My favorite camper quote: "There is love at this camp". She was referring to intercamp-cest between some older campers, but it holds true on many levels. My favorite moment: watching one of the youngest boys in my cabin get up during the talent show and act out a mariachi band all by himself. Priceless.

But summertime playtime must come to an end, and up next for me is the biggest adventure yet. I'm leaving on Wednesday to join the Peace Corps in Cameroon, where I will be stationed for the next two years. I'll be working on the "Sustainable Livelihoods" program, but I don't know what kind of project I will be working on yet.

To answer some of the most popular questions:

• Yes, I did have to get quite a few shots. Shout-out to KP for sticking with me on that front. 
• I'm not really sure how many people I'm heading out with, but I don't know any of them yet.
• I get to bring 100 pounds of luggage. Clearly not packed yet.
• Yes, they do have internet in Cameroon. Unclear how often I'll have access to it, but it should be occasionally. 
• I don't know yet if I'll come back during the course of my service yet. Visitors are welcome though!
• French is the primary language spoken in Cameroon. It might be a bit of a struggle at first. 

That's all for now. Lots of excitement and nervousness on my end, but just trying to manage all the logistics and say my final good-byes. Sending lots of love, and looking forward to this new chapter that's coming up.

Casey

The Grand Tetons are straight-up beautiful. Turns out that they're
also pretty far from Minnesota. Not a problem. 

P.S. I'm still kind of a rookie at this whole blogging thing. For a more eloquent summary of post-graduation feels, check out my girl Marlena's final blog. Maybe we can get her to start a real-life chapter?