In Miami and off again to the Island of Jamaica!

Today we finished our "staging training" which covers the more elementary aspects of our soon to be assignment in Jamaica. The training covered, in the main, aspects of cultural sensitivity and our interaction with the Jamaican culture. Crime, ever present on the island, is something we knew and know we needed to contend with. MOST of the crime is Islander on Islander violence and theft but we still need to know how to make ourselves as small a target as is possible with our white skin and whitey ways.

Our fellow travelers are a truly diverse group hailing from all over the United States. Most of the group, as expected, is younger but there is also a significant contingent of older [like us] group as well. The reasons they are taking this challenge on is very much like the reasons we are. Wanting to do some good for the world while at the same time having an 'excellant adventure'. There are 7 married couples in the group of 52 souls. The list of educational accomplishments and the travelogues of these young folks is very impressive. Out of the group only one had never been out of the USA. Many had studied abroad and others had performed other service arrangements elsewhere on the globe. Their stories are extensive and totally without any sort of self agrandizement flavor to them at all. Karen and I have enjoyed their company - all of them - immensely.

We head to the island at 6 AM tomorrow. The beaurocratic nature of the Peace Corps dictates that we be on our way to the airport 5 hours ahead of our actual flight time. Such is the nature of group travel I suppose. They have been very organized and linear in their information to us and while some is a bit over emphasized, it has nevertheless been complete.

So this is our last mainland note until we write from Jamaica. Our thanks to Ben for his help in getting us out of the house on time. The separation from home went as smoothly as we could hope although I am still a bit choked up about my final walk with the dog on our land. He is in good hands with Devin and Rich though with Ben as an assist.

Love to all,

Matt