PS and my new number

Okay, so I just scrolled down and realized Bissikrima is on the map that I uploaded in one of my first posts – how exciting! Now you can see just exactly where I’ll be staying in Guinea

Just wanted to say again that my phone number is 65655605. My old number is no longer with me, and you’ll likely reach one of my non-English-speaking host sisters in Forecariah if you try dialing it. If you can, please send me your mailing address so I can use my spare time to communicate with you the old fashioned way.

And lastly, more exciting news, when I first met all the current volunteers in my region, Haute Guinea, I was thrilled to learn one of them was from Minnesota (man, do I love the Minnesotans). Upon further discussion, we realized we went to the same high school with him graduating the year I entered so our paths never crossed. Another volunteer was from Joliet, IL and is an NIU alum (like my parents). What a small world!

Packages

Turns out, you can send packages! Use the same address, but make sure to print the label (from a computer), and make it very official looking. Labels that haven’t been computer printed have not made it. Oh, and write “Livres” on it. Place anything important in a tampon box inside the main box. Apparently no one wants to mess with tampons.

Today we are leaving for the adoption ceremony with our host families. I won’t have internet for a few weeks now, but expect some news after our first trip back to Conakry.

Send Me on My Way

I’ve said my goodbyes, and it’s nearly time to leave, but the good news is we can still stay in touch! My address for the duration of my time in Guinea will be:

Alison VonAchen

Corps de la Paix

BP 1927

Conakry, Guinea

WEST AFRICA

Please, please send mail, and I promise to write back! Because the Guinean mail system can be iffy, here are a few suggestions on sending mail:

• Number the letters you send so I know if any are missing
• Mail is less likely to be tampered with if it’s addressed in red ink
• It’s also less likely to be tampered with if you draw crosses and write religious phrases on it (in French) such as “Dieu regardez-vous” or “Dieu merci”
• If you’re sending a postcard, put it in an envelope. The pretty pictures are likely to end up posted on some Guinean’s wall instead of mine.

At this point, don’t even both sending packages, but of course I’ll let you know if that changes!