as some of my long-time regular readers may remember, i used to post regular updates that i would receive from my dear friend Leslie, that great Woman of the World, who went off to join the Peace Corps and was stationed in Jordan and then later Kenya. Well, I haven't posted in a long while since she's now back in the states.

But, wonder of wonders, I have another great friend, fam really, from my second family who is now setting forth to join the Peace Corps this year. Ariana, another great Woman of the World, will be stationed in Ecuador. And did I mention that she's a specialist in frogs?! I've mentioned her once or twice before while she was studying frog species in Michigan and around the states. Now she'll be doing so in Ecuador, along with all the other amazing flora and fauna there. And so, as you may have inferred from this long set-up, Ariana has agreed to write regular posts from her station in Ecuador to me and my dear readers so that we may have a sense of her exciting adventures. She doesn't take off until next month, but here's her first email in making preparations:

Hello beloved family and friends,

Sorry for the mass email, but I just wanted to send a quick update and my new contact information. I am moving to Ecuador in 8 weeks to serve as a Peace Corps volunteer in the natural resources program. My title will be forestry extension and I will leave on February 6, 2006, and return April 2008. I am really excited about this; in addition to just amazing scenery, Ecuador ranks 3rd in the world in terms of amphibian diversity, with 447 different species! Think about all those frogs. . . I only had to learn 13 species of frogs and toads here in Michigan.

Everyone is welcome to come visit me, and we can go to the Amazon, or the Galapagos, or the Andes. Already 15 people have said they are definitely going to visit. I can't have any visitors the first 6 months and last month that I am there, but after that anyone can come! Any time after August 8, 2006 and before March 20, 2008. I figure I can't get too lonely down there if I have a steady stream of visitors =)

My friend Lindsay did the Peace Corps in Ecuador, and she said it is the "ClubMed" of the Peace Corps =) Sounds good to me! While I am nervous about learning the language and dealing with culture shock, my friend Jose says that after I get a tan, I will blend right in and everyone will believe I am Ecuadorean.

I don't know how frequently I will be able to check my email when I am in Ecuador, so I think I am just going to have to send mass emails. Let me know if you want to get those emails. If I don't hear from you, I will assume you do not want to hear about my exciting adventures discovering new species of caecilians or embarrassing myself in front of my host family...

I am not sure yet where I will be stationed in Ecuador, but I will be in Quito for the 1st 3 months.... Okay, sorry this message is so long! Happy Holidays =)

Abrazos,
Ariana