the importance of mail
20 Oct 2008 Leave a Comment
PCVs, myself included, LOVE receiving mail – especially packages. We go to the post office at least 3 times a week to check for new mail. The post office worker there is probably tired of hearing us ask if there are new packages every time we go. But if wasn’t for us the post office would be emptier than it already is; we’re like the only people in Atar to receive packages.
We usually open our packages and share our goodies with the other volunteers; things taste so much better when you share it with other people. The best packages so far have been ones filled with random things – basically a taste of America. There aren’t any packages that I would deem to be “bad” because just receiving the package is pretty exciting. What else do you have to look forward too or how many surprises do you get a day??? Therefore, anything that happens to you that’s not part of your usual routine is pretty exciting – like a coup d’état or a letter. While there may not be bad packages, there are experienced/good packers and inexperienced packers. The experienced/good packers are those who make use of the entire box, leaving no space.
The only downfall to receiving packages is that we have to pay 400 UM/package (basically a meal). The Mauritanian post is pretty good about not going through our stuff; most packages have arrived here intact. However, another volunteer have had letters opened; someone probably checked to see if contained money. Past suggestions for making sure packages and letters get through is to put “Christian Supplies” on the packages or to write “Sister” in front of the volunteer’s name.
