I'm Dave View image and from August 16, 2001 to October 17, 2003 I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mali, West Africa--not to be confused with Malawi, Bali or Maui. As a sort of grande finale I decided to take my newly acquired parasites on a round the world trip. This is my first big big big trip.

The insanity began 2 1/2 years ago when I closed the business, put house and car on the market, hugged everyone goodbye and jumped on a plane. Having spent most of my life in Detroit--working in the same industry for 10 years--I was ready for a change. Someplace new. Something different. Peace Corps sent me to Mali.

I met a lot of excellent people there. I'm happy with the work I did at Soro Yiriwaso, a growing microfinance institution. From the start I had visions of leaving Mali for an adventurous jaunt 'round the globe. And c'mon, return to Michigan at the start of cold season? As a former employee used to say, "I may have been born at night, but I wasn't born last night."

So, mom, friends, family, onlookers, I'll keep you posted on my whereabouts, activities, misadventures and embarrassing moments on a weekly basis and do my best to keep it entertaining.