Richard’s Reckless Travels

So today I mailed off my Peace Corps medical forms…finally. It’s such a relief to get all that over with. At the same time, I’m almost scared. I’m past the last hurdle Peace Corps can throw at me (unless they decide my medical tests would yield me acquiring cancer instantly in the service). My hope is that by the time I return from my trip to South America, I’ll know the country I’ll be going to as well as the departure date. Right now, I have a preliminary departure date of the beginning of may with a destination of Central/South America, but with all I’ve read and all the people I’ve spoken with, I want to have the invitation in my hands before I accept that I’m going anywhere.

Furthermore, on top of all the brain damage that goes into completing the forms and questions that the application process throws at you, it’s starting to hit me that I’m going to be spending a wicked long time without the comforts of my life! No cereal (maybe not even milk!), maybe no electricity, running water. The majority of my favourite foods will be nonexistent for a very prolonged period of time!

What will I do when I’m bored? I was thinking about how I’ll probably revert back to when I was little and play with legos and hot wheels (you bet I’m bringing some). I’m going to bring a chess board definitely. Starting a chess club, or teaching people chess would definitely be something that I’d love. God knows I’d have the time to do so.

I’ll also post in this journal during my trip to South America (however, it might be sans photos), so if you’re curious as to what kind of mischief I’m getting involved in, stay tuned.