You Oughta Know

So as I've told people of my plans and said my goodbyes I've gotten some funny reactions, and of course great advice. Here they are:

My old boss at the Pub said he didn't know I was some tree loving hippie...he followed this up with "make sure you continue to shave your pits". Ummm good advice I guess
(I've discovered this seems to be a favorite joke among many people)

A guy at work cocked an eyebrow and say in disgust "oh...so your some sorta liberal then" (I actually consider myself more in the middle, but that's neither here nor there)

An old fraternity friend said, (mid corn hole game) "so Peace Corps...did you just not want to find a REAL job?" at first I was slightly offended but after repeating this to a friend, I was reminded that not having a REAL job yet was part of the Peace Corps's allure.

Needless to say there are a lot of people that think I'm crazy, however people are few and far between. I am lucky enough to have many people that are very excited for me and few decided to give me some departing advice....just to make sure I get home safe and sound. The advice goes as follows....

Don't drink the water or eat the food. Shower twice a day, but if you're going to shower with bottled water. It's safer.

Don't get married. (wasn't planning on it, but this seems to be a big concern as this advice was given by many different friends. However, a few girlfriends said it was more than acceptable if he's a really cute European....sure I'll work on that)

Don't get dead (Probably my favorite general life advice. Congrats you graduated..don't get dead. Or how about instead of see ya later...don't get dead!)

If you get a pet name it Mufasa, that's an African word if you didn't know. (I think this was more so I'd think of him when I saw my pet)

I was told I should get an African tramp stamp or neck tat. I should also learn to make cheese (this was in response to my fear of there being very little cheese in Senegal)

And my favorite: When the road gets weary and the journey seems wrong, a round of Irish Whiskey won't make it seem so long.

So obviously my friends are a bunch of jokesters and just heartbroken about my 2 and 1/4 year absence, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I'll miss them all dearly and am expecting at least a few amusing letters describing their shenanigans state-side.