Close friends & family,

First matter to be addressed: I'd love to hear from you. You've all used skype, my number is as follows... 221 773 304829.

It's official, the angels are on my side. My site of service, in fact, will be in Saint Louis; therefore, I'll be waking up to a white expanse of sand and the blue atlantic, a landscape I have become rather used to in the last 24 years of my life. Let us revel in the prospect, that now, if you're as so magnficient to visit me during the next two years, the experience will prove as a relaxing, sunsoaked vacation, laden with culture, history and gaiety. This comes in contrary to what we may have expected of my adventure, and if this is upsetting, and Posh Corps is not what you're in the mood for, Aaron and Burkina Faso are just 25 hours by (bumpy) road. I'm sure he'd appreciate all of our company. So much so, I trust he would slaughter a plumpish goat upon our arrival.

Also to keep in mind, you music lovers, the end of May, Saint Louis puts on an internationally renowned Jazz festival, hosting a bevy of contemporary musicians. It's heralded as a grand affair.

I am in training one for one more month and are on course to swear in October 16th. Shortly thereafter, I will be installed in Saint Louis. My laptop has fallen to the hard-knocks of village-life, but I am slowly developing a peice I will show on the blog in the next few weeks www.richardaross.blogspot.com. My mother is also in the process of sending me a more portable, durable device. I also want to wait to incorporate this Sunday's celebration of Korite, the muslim holiday observing the end of Ramadan. My host brothers have led me to believe I will assist in the sacrafice of a cow.

Please update me about the latest on all of you.

With mirth, merriment, and xo's
Richard
or as I am known to rural Africa, "Baay saax"