Summer in Chicago

Instead of boarding a plane for Philly on Monday I am going to be in Chicago. That's right the Peace Corps office in D.C called me on Monday while I was at my parents lake house and told me that the current Mauritanian government would not be giving me, or anyone else that I was suppose to go with, a visa on time. We are going to get visas, we just are not exactly sure when. "All my bags are packed and I'm ready to go" was my attitude on Monday morning. I had moved a majority of stuff out of my apartment, and I was mentally prepared, or as close as I was going to get, for the challenges that Peace Corps RIM had in store for me. But right now I might be able to leave in mid-August. Why you ask?

Because General Aziz, who took power last August, decided he does not want any more foreigners in the country. The director of Peace Corps as well as the U.S Ambassador to Mauritania have tried to convince him to give us visas in a timely fashion, but no dice. General Aziz promised that there would be a free election on June 6th, however the international community convinced him to push the elections to July 18th in order to make the elections more fair. There is also a run-off election in early August, and after all this is settled Peace Corps hopes that my stage class and I will be able to enter the country. Until then I'm going to be in Chicago. I had no plans past Sunday night but right now I'm getting excited to spend another summer in this wonderful city. So far my plans include going to the many street festivals that Chicago has to offer, as well as a few more hockey tournaments with the rest of the student center staff. Even though I quit my job at the end of last month, I'm sure I will be able to play.