Stephanie and I have decided to record our experience as we leave Manchester, New Hampshire, our home for 34 years, and travel to Botswana. We are joining the United States Peace Corps, which they say is the toughest job you'll love. We'll just have to see about that. Stephanie served in the Peace Corps in Kenya from 1973 to 1975, before I met her, so she has a leg up on me in terms of what to expect.
At the moment, we are busy preparing to leave the United States for the 26 months of our service. That means dealing with clients as we break away from 34 years of professional practice, sprucing up our home to make it presentable for house sitters, selling Stephanie's station wagon, putting our financial affairs in some sort of order, visiting doctors for last minute medical tune-ups, attending multiple farewell parties, and sorting through what to bring with us (80 pounds each) and what to leave behind.
Of course, there is never enough time to prepare. Stephanie has been reading up on AIDS in Africa, a tragedy that will loom large in our work. Neither of us has devoted enough effort to learn Setswana. Instead, we have made every effort to enjoy everything that summer has to offer in New Hampshire and Maine. That includes spending time on Great Diamond Island in Casco Bay and on the shores of Moosehead Lake. More important, it includes enjoying the company of family and long time friends.
There is still more work to accomplish in the next couple of weeks. I just got off the phone with the cable company, explaining that we really could not transfer our service to Botswana, and so we needed to return the cable boxes. The cell phone company is next....
Tom
Goodhope Plaza
