**My new favorite thing: Overpacking.
When I get here and start to unpack, I put all the medicines and first aid supplies on a shelf in my room, letting everyone know that they are welcome to any of it. I brought so much medicine for multiple ailments and have not needed any of it yet. As some of the volunteers admire my stash, I start to feel like that guy from The Shawshank Redemption, "so I hear you're a guy who can get things." As much as we are all laughing about how many extra first aid supplies I brought, I think we all feel a little bit of security with the shelf there.**
After a 3-4 hour drive I arrive at Millennium Elephant Foundation (MEF or Millennium). I actually thought that I was going to be at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, but Michael was telling me that at the Elephant Orphanage his volunteers were much less happy than they are here. They would go weeks of working without ever touching an elephant, and with 80 just a stone's throw away that got very frustrating. At Millennium there are only 8 elephants but they get more individual care from volunteers. I am SO EXCITED.
When I arrive I get to meet the other volunteers. Helena, Wade, and Tamsin (British) are the volunteer coordinators. Isla, Annebob, and Bert (Dutch) are here for 6 more weeks. Neave (Welsh) is here for 2 more weeks. Kevin, Judy (British), Jade, Leiah, and Shala (American) are all leaving in 1 week. Fran leaves in the morning but we cross paths long enough for me to give her the couple of things she forgot at Michael's house and bond over our mutual love of Harriet and Michele.
I am also surprised by my accommodations. I am not with a host family, but in a bungalo with the other volunteers. My roommates are Jade and Leiah, who seem very cool. Of course, everyone seems very cool.
Tomorrow I will take over Fran's slot with Annebob working with Rani, the most beautiful female here, according to Annebob. (She is understandably biased.)
Hello,
ReplyDelete1. Annabob? What is the origin of this name?
2. If you had to hide in Sri Lanka for 4 weeks with any character from The Avengers, whom would it be?
Sincerely,
Rachel
Actually, I'll edit the post, I've found out here name is Annebob. Pronounced Anna-bob. The origin of the name, according to her, is her parents' brains. "I am the only Annebob in all of Holland" was her response when I asked her.
DeleteI would want to hide with Black Widow, because she speaks pretty much every language ever.
Although The Hulk would be cool too because when he's not all Hulk-y he's a good Doctor, which would be nice.
Rani... so you will be with her every day? Can she paint?
ReplyDelete