I’m leaving my site tomorrow morning.

See you on the flip side.

I wish to challenge you to a duel.

Yes, you, woman profiled in the Times for your carry-on packing prowess.

You ain’t got nothin’ on two years of Peace Corps training.

I voted for zombie Joseph Beuys.

The Peace Corps stresses sustainability. Projects won’t be supported if there is no clear plan for the continuation of the work after the volunteer leaves, or if the skills necessary aren’t transferred to individuals locally. While sometimes limiting and occasionally frustrating, it’s a good rule to follow in community development, and a strong starting point for discussions with community work partners. If we begin this project, who will be in charge of A or B? What happens after three weeks, nine months, a year? How do we guarantee this will last?

As a result, most of the projects Peace Corps volunteers complete are things that we can assume will stand the test of time, active long after a PCV leaves site. Except when they don’t.

Delicious masochism.

Another volunteer recently introduced me to simply breakfast. It should be noted that Morocco, while awash in innumerable fine fruits and vegetables, has no blueberries. Or muffins. Or brown sugar. Or non-laughing cow/edam cheese.

I’m really excited about the blueberries.