Katy Murtaugh’s Next Big Adventure!

Before heading out to site, Peace Corps gave us a book compiled by previous volunteers called “Pas de Panique!” — it’s a guide to all the little useful things to know about at site, like creative/practical uses for old milk containers, anti-bug strategies, etc. It’s pretty funny and I thought you guys would appreciate a couple of quips from it…

From a compliation of quotes:

“Just because I rock, doesn’t mean I’m made out of stone.” -PCV

“It’s not unlike some parts of Minneapolis.” -PCV parent in Conakry

One section written by someone who must be a kindred spirit: Success Redefined (As in, “If at first you don’t succees, redefine success.”)

Success is:

- peeling an orange like a market lady without making any holes.

- arriving at your destination without your or someone else’s vomit on you.

- not spraying your shoes when peeing in the bush.

- cold beer.

- making it to the latrine. (Sad, but sometimes true.)

Anyway, just a glimpse into the things have become funny in this world of drinking oranges and (I do realize that puke and pooping one’s pants have always been wonderful sources of amusement, but here in Guinea they carry a new, more sincere comedic weight.)