training continues

So I've kind of settled into the training schedule.  A typical day starts with me waking up at 6:30 and biking to the training center.  I usually have 30 mins or so of downtime before the first scheduled class, so I do my devotions or read a book or socialize with other people in my group.  There are 5 realms of training: Language, Cross Culture, Safety and Security, Technical, and Medical.  Each day has 4 sessions:  8-10, then a break for tea, 10"30-12:30, lunch, 1:30-3:30 and 3:30-5 or so.  Medical is every tuesday, so the medical officers give us our shots and give a lecture on a common medical problem, what it means, and how to deal with it.  (Thus far we've discussed malaria and diarrhea).  Safety and security involves the security officer briefing us on Peace Corps procedure, telling us what to be careful about and various related topics.  Cross culture helps us get accustomed to local customs, analyze what we're used to as Americans and how to be wary of behavior that will make us stick out or cause offense.  Tech is directed at aspects of Peace Corps work that may be useful, so last week we discussed how to build a handwashing station (it's called a Tippy Tap - check it out at http://www.cdc.gov/safewater) and how to maintain a latrine so flies and cockroaches don't pose a problem.  Language, I hope, is self explanatory.  Language sometimes takes up 2 or even 3 of the sessions during the day, and I'm learning a lot and enjoying it.   

I wish I could upload some pictures, but my internet speed has been pretty consistently 3 kb/s (which is about a thousand times slower than I'm used to), so that's not going to happen until I get to internet in the capital where it should be faster.  Not sure when that will happen - I'll keep you informed.  

Went to church yesterday and it was not bad.  Music was by synthesizer, but they brought out the drums when the power went out so that was great.  The sermon was about working hard to build the tower of your salvation (can I get an "uh oh" from my fellow calvinists? no offense to the rest of you :)).   I'm looking forward to experiencing the diversity of African churches in the coming weeks.  

Finally, I'm settling in to my homestay.  Up to speed with bathing, getting water, using the latrine and all the daily things I take for granted back in the states.  Did laundry by hand saturday - which is hard to do.  Definitely taking every step to keep my clothes clean, which is also hard when I have to bike on dirt roads twice a day.  

That's all for now.  Further bulletins as events warrant :)