Nom party

Tonight was the annual Nom (for those nominated for a Peace Corps post) party. We had a tremendous turnout — almost bursting out of the little room we had rented. One woman who was about to go to Kenya told me that she had first applied to the Peace Corps in 1972. She made it past all the tests but then was asked if she had a boyfriend. When she said "yes," she was selected out. That may seem unfair, but I actually agree with the concept... you shouldn't have any strong attachments to home when you go, or else the temptation to quit (always strong in the beginning) will be too great.