T-minus

Today, my family is going to Dallas to pick up my little sister (who flies in from her summer in Germany).

Tomorrow, my family drops me off for my flight to Virginia, where I will be for about 36 hours.

Wednesday, I hop on a plane (and yes, I intend to hop) for Johannesburg, South Africa, where I will switch planes for Lusaka, Zambia.

Thursday, I arrive in beautiful and far away Zambia.

I've got soooooo much to do today! Although Jim and I shaved him, I don't think Mesa is going to fit in my luggage. He loves visitors so feel free to visit him at my parents house!

You, yes you, can write and mail me a letter today! Keep in mind I am a very fast swimmer so I will most likely beat it there, but it would be oh so wonderful to receive a piece of you to have with me on my adventures.

Erin Hoelting, PCV
Peace Corps
P.O. Box 50707
Lusaka
Zambia

This address will be posted on the sidebar of this blog. IT WILL BE CHANGING at some point in the next month or so. It can take a month for your love letters to reach me, so start writin'!

here's one of my favorite pictures from my going away party at Skooners in Lubbock:
it's me, Daniel, and Yvette

Independence Day

I just watched a spectacular fireworks display in Houston with Jim my love, Monkey my brother (with me in the picture to the left), and Will my fantastic friend! This year marks the 40th year anniversary of man landing on the moon....so Houston celebrated by putting on the largest fireworks display in North America.

I have officially left Lubbock. I'm sorry if I did not get to see you before I left, but my time is limited and there is still so much to do. I will miss the west Texas sunsets and I look forward to the day I will be able to return to the place of my birth. Take care fellow Lubbuckians! I love you and will miss you dearly.

So for staging, I will actually be leaving Dallas on July 21st and heading to Arlington, V.A. I will be there for a little over 24 hours before flying out to Africa on the 22nd. I am sad about all the people and things I will miss, but I am still very excited about the crazy journey ahead of me. I also broke down and bought my very first (and possibly last) ipod...I've gotta take my music with me somehow. woo technology....I hope (but don't believe) you won't disappoint me.

Monkey and I are on a trek around Texas...well...just Austin and Houston. I'll put pics up later. Peace.

Here is Jim and I at an Astros game.