And....time for a new blog title

...as I'm not in Turkey anymore, and as my next trek is off to the wilds of Niger. I'll retitle the blog as soon as I think of something I like. In the meantime, here's a brief update of my next big trip:

I'll be living in Niamey, the capital of Niger. My flight leaves Minneapolis on January 25th, and I'll get in to Niamey on the 26th sometime. I've already had an orientation session, and it was quite different from my Turkey orientation: when I went to Turkey, orientation was coffee with the program director and the last student to go to METU; for Niger, it was a full-day orientation, full of information on how not to die of infectious diseases, and dress requirements, and language tips, and all kinds of helpful stuff. I've got a big packet full of things I'm not allowed to or shouldn't bring, like hair dryers, pants, sleeveless tops, and my computer. That last one could be an issue: there's one computer on-site there, and this semester there'll be 17 students, the most ever. I suppose I should count myself lucky, as they just got 24-7 Internet access this year. So...that'll be an adjustment for me. The clothing should be interesting, as well: mostly skirts, which shouldn't be above mid-calf...this sure isn't Turkey!
I'm getting excited to see the city, it'll be a very different experience for me. After my last finals this semester, I'll get a posting up with my answers to the questions I've heard most frequently, like I did last year for Turkey, as well as my contact info, so you-all can stay in touch and see my photos. 'Til then, take care! and Happy Holidays!
-R