Imported from Detroit

Send-Off

My family put all other PC families to shame this morning when they showed up early in the morning at MSP, balloons, banners, and teddy bears in hand. I couldn't have asked for a nicer send-off. Of course, having a family this wonderful makes it very hard to leave your hometown. Quite a few tears were shed- mine and those of a horrible sobbing baby next to me.

I didn't think landing in Detroit would be the thing to bring me comfort, but surrounded by my fellow volunteers at check-in, I felt at ease.

Even after a long and intense orientation session with Peace Corps Recruiter Jeff (whose name you may remember from the embarrassing incident when he called me for an interview during a post-op Percocet stupor) I still feel at ease. At ease and ready to serve in Thailand with the other passionate volunteers I am enjoying getting to know. You might say, Detroit's been good to me.

Westin Detroit

Detroit Plans to Welcome Guests

Detroit Free Press  1912

January 8th I begin training as Peace Corps Volunteer in the Paris of the Midwest (a snarky nickname I usually reserve for Milwaukee). I wasn't looking forward to spending my last stateside hours in Motown, but I was reassured that the Motor City "will set a high standard of entertainment for tourists."