Wednesday, July 19, 2006

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

1 comment:

Beachcomber said...

We loved having you visit Aunty Dr Laura. Have an awesome adventure. We're counting on you for regular reports as we're limited to armchair travelling for the near future.

-- Victoria (and Carys)