9 days to go...

Well, I'm leaving in just over a week - I leave August 8th. I am alternating between feeling excited & ready to go, and wondering if I'm a fool for jumping in & doing this.

I'm going early to try to set up housing, etc for our team before everyone arrives (with another BIPAI staff person). It seemed like such a reasonable thing when they first asked if I wanted to do it... but my to-do list is getting somewhat out of hand!

We've had a few social occaisions, including a fancy dinner with the CEO of Bristol-Myers-Squibb (who are paying for most of this program) and a casual, texas BBQ this evening.

I've been feeling a bit lonely, for, as lovely as everyone here is, there is still a diference between friends you've just met and well-established relationships. And I know that will be all the more difficult once I leave! So I think its also a little anticipatory angst. I'm hoping my friends here won't forget to keep in touch with me.

Anyhow, need to get to bed as tomorrow will be very busy.
Laura

vaccine day

Well, we've finished our first week of orientation, and have been left with a fairly long "to do" list of things to finish before heading off to Africa. I got my shots done with today, so the arms are a bit sore (needed meningococcus, polio, typhoid & tetanus / whooping cough / diptheria). And I signed myself up for a year's supply of mefloquine - hopefully I tolerate it as well this time as I did in Uganda.

Also did a bit of shopping for last minute things, like permetherin spray for my bednet and a yoga DVD! and I also found some 'Allo 'Allo DVDs... its the craziest British comedy.

I alternate between being really excited & apprehensive. We'll be working in the hospital HIV clinic initially - we think - and eventually find a place for our temporary clinic. Its exciting to be starting something up from scratch, but also scary.

I'm really enjoying getting to know my colleagues, headed across Africa next month. Its a neat group of people that decides to pack up their lives for a year! Anyhow, speaking of such, I'm meeting my Burkina team for dinner. Take care!

More details are emerging about our assignment in Burkina Faso. Its exciting that we will be starting a brand new clinic. But this next few months will be extremely challenging - its going to be quite a job to start up an HIV clinic. At first we'll be working in the local hospital (we think) until we have a temporary clinic. Our "center of excellence" won't be open for a minumum of 1 year.

Houston has been pretty hot - above 30C so its good practice for Burkina!

on the road again... First stop: Houston, Texas

Welcome!

I've decided for this year-long (or longer?) odyssey to help start HIV Clinics in West Africa, I would start a blog rather than try (and never get to it) to write personal emails to everyone. The upside of being a nomad is the great people I've met all over the world. The downside of being a nomad is that those great people are scattered all over the world!

We're here in Houston, acclimatizing to the hot weather and having an orientation & tropical medicine course. There are about 50 of us here, going to 8 countries - besides Burkina Faso, the AIDS Corps will be working in Uganda, Swaziland, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Tanzania and China. Mostly I've just seen our suite hotel & the classrooms so far, though will have to venture a little farther out later on. The group seems great, and we had a lovely BBQ last night.

There are 4 of us going to Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso; Leah, Suzanne, Dana and myself. My colleagues seem great, and I think we will each bring different but interesting perspectives to things. I'm the only one who hasn't yet been to West Africa - and also the sole ID specialist.

I won't have much to report while here in Houston, but hopefully will be able to contribute regularly once we head off.

Before I left Canada, I had a great but brief visit with my dad & sister, and a lovely few days in Victoria; the photo shows some of my best friends - Carys, Trinity, Karen, Simon, Jamie, Patric & Victoria), at our favorite restaurant, Pag's (or Pagliacci's for long). We've spent many long meals there!

Please do write frequently - I think having news from home will be a lifeline while we get our bearings.

Take care!
Laura