FIRST out of country trip - PCV or young broke adult style, JUST KIDDING: MST

So here is a good map of possible places I will visit my time here in Europe.


See it, learn it, know it, smell it. Good.

Next, let me share about my Peace Corps conference, my 1 year mark conference AKA MST (Mid-Service Training).
It wasn't too bad actually. 3 days at a fancy hotel in the mountains in Sinaia - I've been here before, 1 year ago actually.

We (as in 15%) of us lucked out and got jacuzzi bath tubs. I live in a village, so this was so good to lie in.





There was a bowling alley in this small tourist town, so we gave that a try. It was 50 lei per a lane per an hour = $12.50 and shoe rentals included. I scored a 50 the first time (with like 5 gutter balls in a row), and then a 76!





I hiked up again and saw the outside of Peles Castle.







And some of the Peace Corps staff saw a family of bears during dinner one of the nights, but I just saw signs (as in posted one, no sightings of feces or claw prints).






We of course had our intense training sessions: language exams, language classes, grant sessions, project presentations (I was 1 of 4 presentations out of 37 volunteers to make a presentation! and I think I did well too! about Intercultural week), political updates, program updates, etc...

And every evening, after our 7am-6pm program, we had our own time to do our own thing. We're given food stipends at these conferences, so usually we go out to eat. I had dinner here with Janet and Lee and Erica. Then we got ice cream too! It was warmer here than home.

Our 1 year group picture!
I am sad cause 2 of our key staff members are leaving our program. Peace Corps' policy forces people to serve only 1 or a couple years at a time at the different locations.
Technically, as an American you can only work in the management positions for only 5 years before you have to go back to the US and live there the equal number of years before you try again. Interesting, but sucky when you have good leaders.

Point is: they're in the picture too: volunteers, staff, and some super-volunteers (ones who've extended an extra year to be 1/2 volunteers and 1/2 staff)