Conakry, Guinea, West Africa
13 & 16 April 2001

Hi Mom, 

Thanks for the great letter. Say hi to Joe and Paula for me if you can.  (uncle & aunt visiting from Florida)

I just got off the island today and no, it wasn't the one that we went to. We went to Rhoum Island.  I had a good time, but it wasn't all too emotional. I admit that I feel a bit scared  about 're-entry' (readjusting to life in the United States after living in Africa for 2 years). Now that you've been here you know that this is place is so very different, and it's where I have been living for the last two years.

During the COS conference we talked about how to re-adjust to American life. Some former volunteers came and talked to us about the problems they had and how they went about picking up where they left off. Coming home and living there again seems, in a word, difficult. Difficult in a multitude of ways I assume. Well, sooner or later I will have to start up that rat race again. I ask myself this question: How "fit" will I be to start running again? 

Love your kid, Mike