1999-08-10 - 7:35 p.m.

Well after much anticipation and waiting I have finally found out where I will be living for the next two years. I didn’t have a clue where they would put me, but the other day Jeff suggested they might put me in a regional capital since I speak French. Well guess what I am going to be in a regional capital. Mauritania is divided into something like 7 regions and each of those has a capital city. My region is Adrar and the city I will be living in is Atar. If you look on a map at Kaedi and follow your finger straight up almost to Morocco, then you will hit Atar. It is located in he heart of the Sahara, so I will really be in a hard core region. No more of this sahael half savana-desert for me. My mother will be happy to know that not only does Atar have electricity, but it also has internet. It may be a while before I locate it though. I was kind of sad I am going to be in a site with electricity. I felt pretty tough in M’Beidia. I will return there for 3 more weeks of training after site visit. I leave tomorrow at 6:30 we will break in Nouakchott for lunch (hopefully Chinese), we will then continue to Atar and arrive somewhere around 8 in the evening.

Atar is a city of 15000 people. It is surrounded by mountains (so I will be able to rock climb) and it is where most tourists go when they come to Mauritania (because it is the most stereotypical desert area). I also found out in the adjacent town of Chingetti dune boarding has become popular (i.e. snowboarding on sand). I was scared I was going to go 2 yrs without snowboarding, but I guess not.

I’m sorry I haven’t been able to write back to all the people who have sent me e-mails. I really appreciate them. There is nothing better than getting back to Kaedi and having a full mail box. I want to say hi to mom, dad, Julie, jack and Sharon, kent, chiara and all the Hendrix lab, Pat, Cara, Malinda, Alex, Amanda Jeff and the kids. Thank you all for your e-mails. I also want to wish a happy belated birthday to my aunt pat. Mom sent me the photos and it looks like it was fun. Wish I had been there.

I will be back in Kaedi on the 17th and will stay for two days before returning t M’Beidia for 3 weeks. Love and miss you all.

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