Now we are REALLY leaving Conakry...

The previous plan was interrupted by Cam's high fever and serious stomach issues. Then he got better (it was viral, not malaria, he's fine now and has good drugs...) and then I woke up with a stomach situation. Then we found out that 2 of our friends are being medically separated and sent back to the US so we stuck around to provide support and spend some time with them before they leave. But tomorrow we are actually leaving.

In case you are wondering about illnesses and PC, there are a few options here if something can't be treated with what's available in-country (which is virtually nothing). The first is a medevac to Dakar (for things like root canals, specific women's issues, TB). Next is a medevac to Washington, where you can only stay 45 days to be treated before being automatically medically separated. The third is an immediate medical separation, which means that the PC has determined that your condition cannot be treated in 45 days. That one really sucks because it involves being completely removed from PC and having to file a FECA (Federal Employee Compensation Act) claim for treatment. At any rate, our friends will be fine and we are all going to miss them very much here in Guinea.

Girls Conference is officially organized. It seems like the longer we stay here the more we find to do...but we really are organized. In addition to the Conference organizing (which includes food, logistics and providing support for sessions) we are doing the Public Service and Plan of Action sessions ourselves. And we are still trying to think of a creative ice breaker to do with the girls during the opening session...sometimes things that work in the States seriously fall flat here and that would be a bad start to the Conference!

Not sure when I'll be on the internet again, it might be after Girls Conference. I'll be sure to post pictures so you can see how our big summer project turned out!

Busy, busy

The last couple days have been out of control busy! We dropped Cam's dad off at the airport at 2am and returned at 9 to pick up the new group on the 10th. Then we've been helping them get settled and with the first bit of training information. They are a fantastic group and I have a feeling they are all going to have successful services here in Guinea. Today they left for their adoption ceremony in Forecariah, so I won't see them again until Aug. 7th when I join them there. Hopefully the adjustment period goes well...

Cam and I are just relaxing and catching up on email today because tomorrow we are heading to Mamou to finish up some last minute Girls Conference stuff before heading to Timbi.

In exciting news (not as exciting as the Brangelina twins, but still...) we have our tickets to America! We leave here on Sept. 16th and will be in Morocco until the 28th, arriving at JFK around 2pm. I might take that night to visit friends in the city before heading to Wisconsin. Seems like I should go ahead and buy my ticket now, gas is going up by the minute!!

I'll try and post 4th of July photos next time I'm here, we had a fun time with a pig and tons of food and beer. To see pictures of Cam's dad's visit, go to the flickr account, flickr.com/photos/camilo11. He had a great time and we were thrilled that he came to visit!