I'M OFFICIALLY A PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER!!!!!!!!!! I am up in Northwest Province after a 12 hour drive up from Lusaka. It's good to finally be in my provence for good. I've been at the Peace Corps Provincial House for Easter weekend hanging out and getting to know some of the other volunteers in Northwest. I will be posted on Thursday to my site in Lumwana East Village.
When I'm posted on Thursday I'll begin three months of community entry; which means that I will remain in my district and get to work on intergrating into my community, getting a lay of the land, and learning where I can be most effective working for the next two years. Community entry also means that I can't visit the PC house so I won't have computer access for the next 6-8 weeks until the provencial house meeting sometime in June. After that I'll be back at the house around the end of July or beginning of August. Planning for sure to be back at the house for my birthday (August 6th) because the RED 2011 intake has in-service training back in Lusaka that we have to travel down to on the 7th of August. I'll be down there for two weeks and then not really sure past that point...
So now onto some recent happenings (in no particular order)
* Acquired my alien registration card today. They had to take a picture for the card and of course I wanted to smile but was informed that it was not allowed. But the hardest thing to do is to remain straight faced when all you can think about is laughing and your friends are laughing at your sad attempts. So the Zambian immigration man took the picture right in the middle of my struggle with laughter - great picture. Made immigration a more enjoyable experience though :)
* Alright so I tried to post pictures but the internet speed isn't having it. I will try again tonight sometimes it works better at night but if there isn't a picture update my apologizes (mom and dad might talk to you about sending pictures home to you on a jumpdrive? and then you posting pictures along the way? we'll see) Til then hopefully you can see some of the pictures that everyone else from my intake have been adding.
* SWEAR-IN: Was last Thursday at the Ambassador's house. The house/grounds are quite the contrast to the life that I will be living for the next two years; but it was great to be able to sip good coffee and eat chocolate chip cookies while chatting with the other volunteers in the RED intake. Most of the volunteers got chitenge (kitenge in Kaondo) outfits made. I know I already commented on it but wore the dress my host home stay brother made for me. Hopefully I will be able to post some pictures of it sometime soon. The ceremony was about two hours long complete with the new volunteers singing a couple of Zambian songs, taking the official oath, and then taking pictures on the beautiful grounds and saying goodbye to the PC staff that we would be leaving behind in Lusaka as we all departed for our provinces.
It is quite strange to be leaving one phase of my life in Zambia behind and starting a new phase all within Peace Corps but with mostly everything else changing. No longer will I be sitting in the classroom all day: Ba Fanny teaching April and I Kaonde under the banana tree in Ba Fanny's yard, tech sessions every afternoon learning about the Zambian classroom, culture, and how to live the rural Zambian lifestyle from my host family. Now all of that has been left behind and in two days I will find myself standing in front of my hut wondering where to go from there.
I have several community entry (first 3 months at site) projects to keep me going. This includes cementing the floor of my kinzana (outdoor sitting area), putting up mealie meal bags on the inside of my thatch roof (have a large termite problem and would prefer one more layer between them and me as well as an additional noise barrier from the termites, I'm also working on my quilting/sewing skills and have started what will surely be a long process of hand sewing a chitenge quilt/duvay cover that I will then use on my bed (see how many months that one takes - cross my fingers it's done in time to actually use in Zambia before I return home in two years), also working on learning Lunda so I can communicate with some of the women in my family and the younger children, have about 30 books to keep me busy once I set up my hammock, and have a couple of cooking and other various projects. My list of projects is in addition to the goals/objectives that we're supposed to accomplish through our program during community entry but the personal projects are to give me direction when I need it the most.
I'm really excited to get to know my family in Lumwana East. There is my new Bamaama and her three sons and their families that live on the compound; in addition to a cousin and his family. All in all it seems like there should always be someone around to sit with and children about to play a game of soccer or one of the many other Zambian games that children here play with minimal resources. I need to make a family tree to get down everyone's names especially because I find most Zambian names hard to understand especially without seeing it written down. Going to have some interesting cultural and language exchanges with my family I'm sure. I'm also looking forward to getting to know the area better. I think my game plan will be to bike around on the tarmac (paved road) and also the bush paths to see what path goes where and meet more of my neighbors.
Finally getting to my village is what I have been waiting for since I first stepped off the airplane 3 months ago and I'm really excited to start this new leg of my PC experience but at the same time a bit nervous to be completely off on my own (don't worry Heather or Mom not safety nervous but moreso being on my own nervous). April and I were chatting today and realized that when we're posted in the next couple of days it will be the first time we have ever lived by ourselves. Go figures that we would pick a rural African village to start that one. Suppose it's all part of the go big or go home mentality. First time ever traveling abroad and I depart for the next two years of my life. Learn a new language for first time (really learn - enough to actually communicate something of meaning - so high school french is out) I would learn an African tribal language only spoken by 1.6% of the population of Zambia... and then continue on to need to learn a least the elementals of an additional African tribal language.
On that note ready or not site here I come.
On a completely separate note. Was able to skype with my family and one of my friends back at home while I've been at the Peace Corps house. Absolutely wonderful to be see their faces again and be able to communicate more clearly than just over the telephone. My family has taken to saying "over" "roger" or "10-4" when we're done with a sentence so that we do not cut off each other with the slight time delay. Laura decided to make up one of her own "9-10" (love you Laura). Also quite enjoying making faces and what not (eyebrow raises, etc...) while chattering on skype. So thanks for those that skyped with me and to others hopefully the next time I'm in the house (not for a bit) we'll be able to make it a date :)
So hopefully some of this blog post is coherent and hope everyone back at home is doing well and enjoying the beginning of spring :)
Over and out,
~Andrea
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Smorgesborg
Alright. So I've been slacking in my blog posts. Partially because I have not had energy/time at the end of the day and partially because whenever I go to town (where internet exists to blog) I am quite distracted by all the sensory intake my mind is in a different place and not in a reflective blogging mood. Ndekelaiko (sorry in Kaonde). This post is a smorgesborg (Charlotte's web reference and likely misspelled) of past things I've left out and may not be in chronilogical order with other other blog posts.
Lessons/Learning random notes (self reminders):
* Roosters crow at all hours. Mine lives in the mango tree right outside of my hut and likes to start off all the other roosters starting at 4 am. I have been learning to ignore it and sleep until 5/5:30 am now :)
* It's the small things that mean the most most
* Wall spiders will do no harm and are actually helpful at keeping the bug level down in your hut.
* Cochroaches can escape container entrapment, can crawl under your bug net and end up on you (not a pleasant surprise), and even if you hit them with your broom they're resilent so you'll have to hit them a minimum of three times and then sweep them outside just to be sure.
* Life here is less stressful in many ways: people here especially in the rural areas seem to spend less time wishing they had a different life/different possessions and spend more time with family and friends.
* Money has little meaning in this lifestyle - your basic means are met and therefore money can buy you the extra chitange or a bar of chocolate but at least so far there does not seem to be the same level of stress regarding money and payments for me as there was in the U.S.
* Want to live a greener life? PC Zambia is the way to go. Life in the village has got to have a tiny carbon footprint. Ride your bike everywhere and live with no electricity...
Things I Love Zambian Style:
* Working with passionate loving people (volunteers and staff)
* When Combe (four year old at my site) dances around with me and his smile :)
* The shy smiles of the little girls Bessy, Matilda, and Kiumbo
* Sitting contently with my host Bamaama in the eating hut just enjoying the food on our plates
* Constant fresh air intake
* Drinking tea in the morning and the PB/J bread for breakfast. Great way to start the day
* The sunrises/sunsets, and the starry nights
* Guavas
* No longer waiting to live life. Everyday is lived.
* The possibilities
* Doing just one thing
* Everyone greets everyone
22 March 2011
I am officially a new homeowner of a lovely mud hut in Lumwana East village in Northwest Provence in Zambia. Brings a new meaning to life finally meeting my village and where I will spend the next two years. Many things have been happening...
1. Zambians think I am strange because I drink my tea plain without sugar or dried milk
2. Zambians are used to the 3 meals a day deal... American grazing is a strange concept. 3. Fried chicken - hadn't had since my childhood - really good. High on the health factor too right Laura :)
4. Met my nearest Peace Corps neighbor - Audra - she's awesome. I live in the middle of Solwezi and Munilunga and there are about 5 Peace Corps volunteers about half way in the middle. Basically in the middle of no where so that section we call Zam-vegas. Met the rest of the Zam-vegas crew the Friday night of my second site visit. Excited to move in.
5. Learning a village worth of Zambian names is next to impossible especially when you're a visual learning. Short of carrying my notebook everyhwere and having everyone spell their name out I'm plum out of luck.
6. Even though I'm in a mining area and Audra (the other PC volunteer) has been doing HIV/AIDS work in the area I still make small children cry when they see me. I frighten the really young ones that have never seen a muzungu (white person) before - pretty sure they think that I'm a ghost or alien.
7. I can really get used to candlight evenings
8. Phone charger connection to the solar charger totally works - thanks so much Matthew and Dad :)
9. I hope termites stick to munching on wood and leave my tent alone. I also hope they don't eat all the way through my roof...
10. Zambians are very giving people. The Kumwana family (my new NW family) gave me 2 chairs, a stool, and a bed mattress all to use during my site visit.
11. Living by a river means both are up a large hill. Great times.
12. NW rainy season doesn't mess around. Weather fact: it rains more in Northern Zambia - starts earlier in the season and the rains stay longer.
13. Three school children and two family children sat for over an hour watching me sew one side of my chitange. We just sat and watched each other occasionally laughing. But they speak only Lunda and I speak only English and Kaonde. Going to work on the Lunda when I go out to site.
14. My sewing skills leave a lot of room for improvement. One of my community entry projects is going to be to sew my own chitenge quilt by hand.
15. Eat raw onion with breakfast - say hello to onion breath for the day
As many of you know I have not traveled much internationally. Countries I've been to include the United States, Canada, and now Zambia. First time in such a different culture. Realizing differences or explaining how it's done/or thought of in the United States has been interesting. Such as...
.. Soccer positions are described by numbers. Keeper =1, sweeper=2, etc.. and at least with my talk with the deputy head they have a different set-up of field positions then at least what I experienced during my years playing soccer state-side
.. Americans are really a blend of many different cultures. We do not have a staple food that is consumed daily. Think the closest we have would either be something along the lines of fast food or our love of pizza. Not exactly traditional. The teacher I spent the day with had never had pizza before.. or even heard of it.
.. Describing my family, showing pictures of them, I've always appreciated them - but very grateful for the close relationships I have with them. Need to work on my long distance relations, what are the worthwhile things to mention, balance between immediate short contact through my internet phone versus extended delay of contact with letter writing.
7 April 2011
Times are a-changing. I was washing my hands and face yesterday morning using my water filter (has a tab to turn it on and off and then I have a bucket to catch the water), when the contrast struck me. There are numerous things in Zambia that are becoming second nature and I do not even think twice about the difference with American life anymore. To highlight water sources for now..
1. Water Source: My family has a well on our compound so about once a week I draw water from the well (mushima in Kaonde). This consists of tkaing the plastic jerry can (bucket) and dropping it into the well, waiting for it to be filled with water, you'll know because the whole container will be submerged adn then you pull the bucket out hand over hand with the rope. Luckily for me, during training my Bamaama draws the water for my bucket bath and heats it over the fire so I can have a warm 'shower'. A bucket bath is exactly what is sounds like. You have a large bucket filled with water that you carry to your bafa (bathing shelter). The bafa is a structure built outside constisting of 4 walls made out of dried tall grass (same material used for the thatch roof of mud huts) with medium/small downed trees/branches used as the supports. Think high fence with dried grass tied closely together to create a private bathing area. All the cooking is also done by my Bamaama so she has to visit the well to get water then as well. I'm telling you she's a very strong woman. When I move to site in 11 days :) I will be drawing water from my family's well about 200 meters from my home. However I've been advisted to get my drinking water from the borehole at my school about a kilometer away and up a hill. So usage of water will become even more efficent and hopefully my arm muscles will pull through. Zambian women are exceptionally strong/talented and will often carry large buckets full of water on their heads. PCV's have continually been advisted to to follow suit because our necks are not as strong. I briefly mentioned a water filter but to touch on it a bit more - all volunteers/foreigners are advisted to filter their water. We are not accustomed to their water and even Zambians can get sick from their water sources. I'm not sure the specific bacteria or protozoans.. or whatnot that are present (yes, my trip leader/outdoor side is coming out). There must not usually be an issue of viruses because we do not need to boil our water in most cases. We use a ceramic filter that PC gave us (stationary that holds 5 L) and are also given iodine tablets for when we're on the go/emergencies. This explanation ended up being much longer than I anticipated but hopefully it gives you a better idea of my life in the village.
Lessons/Learning random notes (self reminders):
* Roosters crow at all hours. Mine lives in the mango tree right outside of my hut and likes to start off all the other roosters starting at 4 am. I have been learning to ignore it and sleep until 5/5:30 am now :)
* It's the small things that mean the most most
* Wall spiders will do no harm and are actually helpful at keeping the bug level down in your hut.
* Cochroaches can escape container entrapment, can crawl under your bug net and end up on you (not a pleasant surprise), and even if you hit them with your broom they're resilent so you'll have to hit them a minimum of three times and then sweep them outside just to be sure.
* Life here is less stressful in many ways: people here especially in the rural areas seem to spend less time wishing they had a different life/different possessions and spend more time with family and friends.
* Money has little meaning in this lifestyle - your basic means are met and therefore money can buy you the extra chitange or a bar of chocolate but at least so far there does not seem to be the same level of stress regarding money and payments for me as there was in the U.S.
* Want to live a greener life? PC Zambia is the way to go. Life in the village has got to have a tiny carbon footprint. Ride your bike everywhere and live with no electricity...
Things I Love Zambian Style:
* Working with passionate loving people (volunteers and staff)
* When Combe (four year old at my site) dances around with me and his smile :)
* The shy smiles of the little girls Bessy, Matilda, and Kiumbo
* Sitting contently with my host Bamaama in the eating hut just enjoying the food on our plates
* Constant fresh air intake
* Drinking tea in the morning and the PB/J bread for breakfast. Great way to start the day
* The sunrises/sunsets, and the starry nights
* Guavas
* No longer waiting to live life. Everyday is lived.
* The possibilities
* Doing just one thing
* Everyone greets everyone
22 March 2011
I am officially a new homeowner of a lovely mud hut in Lumwana East village in Northwest Provence in Zambia. Brings a new meaning to life finally meeting my village and where I will spend the next two years. Many things have been happening...
1. Zambians think I am strange because I drink my tea plain without sugar or dried milk
2. Zambians are used to the 3 meals a day deal... American grazing is a strange concept. 3. Fried chicken - hadn't had since my childhood - really good. High on the health factor too right Laura :)
4. Met my nearest Peace Corps neighbor - Audra - she's awesome. I live in the middle of Solwezi and Munilunga and there are about 5 Peace Corps volunteers about half way in the middle. Basically in the middle of no where so that section we call Zam-vegas. Met the rest of the Zam-vegas crew the Friday night of my second site visit. Excited to move in.
5. Learning a village worth of Zambian names is next to impossible especially when you're a visual learning. Short of carrying my notebook everyhwere and having everyone spell their name out I'm plum out of luck.
6. Even though I'm in a mining area and Audra (the other PC volunteer) has been doing HIV/AIDS work in the area I still make small children cry when they see me. I frighten the really young ones that have never seen a muzungu (white person) before - pretty sure they think that I'm a ghost or alien.
7. I can really get used to candlight evenings
8. Phone charger connection to the solar charger totally works - thanks so much Matthew and Dad :)
9. I hope termites stick to munching on wood and leave my tent alone. I also hope they don't eat all the way through my roof...
10. Zambians are very giving people. The Kumwana family (my new NW family) gave me 2 chairs, a stool, and a bed mattress all to use during my site visit.
11. Living by a river means both are up a large hill. Great times.
12. NW rainy season doesn't mess around. Weather fact: it rains more in Northern Zambia - starts earlier in the season and the rains stay longer.
13. Three school children and two family children sat for over an hour watching me sew one side of my chitange. We just sat and watched each other occasionally laughing. But they speak only Lunda and I speak only English and Kaonde. Going to work on the Lunda when I go out to site.
14. My sewing skills leave a lot of room for improvement. One of my community entry projects is going to be to sew my own chitenge quilt by hand.
15. Eat raw onion with breakfast - say hello to onion breath for the day
As many of you know I have not traveled much internationally. Countries I've been to include the United States, Canada, and now Zambia. First time in such a different culture. Realizing differences or explaining how it's done/or thought of in the United States has been interesting. Such as...
.. Soccer positions are described by numbers. Keeper =1, sweeper=2, etc.. and at least with my talk with the deputy head they have a different set-up of field positions then at least what I experienced during my years playing soccer state-side
.. Americans are really a blend of many different cultures. We do not have a staple food that is consumed daily. Think the closest we have would either be something along the lines of fast food or our love of pizza. Not exactly traditional. The teacher I spent the day with had never had pizza before.. or even heard of it.
.. Describing my family, showing pictures of them, I've always appreciated them - but very grateful for the close relationships I have with them. Need to work on my long distance relations, what are the worthwhile things to mention, balance between immediate short contact through my internet phone versus extended delay of contact with letter writing.
7 April 2011
Times are a-changing. I was washing my hands and face yesterday morning using my water filter (has a tab to turn it on and off and then I have a bucket to catch the water), when the contrast struck me. There are numerous things in Zambia that are becoming second nature and I do not even think twice about the difference with American life anymore. To highlight water sources for now..
1. Water Source: My family has a well on our compound so about once a week I draw water from the well (mushima in Kaonde). This consists of tkaing the plastic jerry can (bucket) and dropping it into the well, waiting for it to be filled with water, you'll know because the whole container will be submerged adn then you pull the bucket out hand over hand with the rope. Luckily for me, during training my Bamaama draws the water for my bucket bath and heats it over the fire so I can have a warm 'shower'. A bucket bath is exactly what is sounds like. You have a large bucket filled with water that you carry to your bafa (bathing shelter). The bafa is a structure built outside constisting of 4 walls made out of dried tall grass (same material used for the thatch roof of mud huts) with medium/small downed trees/branches used as the supports. Think high fence with dried grass tied closely together to create a private bathing area. All the cooking is also done by my Bamaama so she has to visit the well to get water then as well. I'm telling you she's a very strong woman. When I move to site in 11 days :) I will be drawing water from my family's well about 200 meters from my home. However I've been advisted to get my drinking water from the borehole at my school about a kilometer away and up a hill. So usage of water will become even more efficent and hopefully my arm muscles will pull through. Zambian women are exceptionally strong/talented and will often carry large buckets full of water on their heads. PCV's have continually been advisted to to follow suit because our necks are not as strong. I briefly mentioned a water filter but to touch on it a bit more - all volunteers/foreigners are advisted to filter their water. We are not accustomed to their water and even Zambians can get sick from their water sources. I'm not sure the specific bacteria or protozoans.. or whatnot that are present (yes, my trip leader/outdoor side is coming out). There must not usually be an issue of viruses because we do not need to boil our water in most cases. We use a ceramic filter that PC gave us (stationary that holds 5 L) and are also given iodine tablets for when we're on the go/emergencies. This explanation ended up being much longer than I anticipated but hopefully it gives you a better idea of my life in the village.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Becoming a Northwesterner (and new address)
First of all before I forget here is my new address for Northwestern Provence:
Andrea Moehle PCV
Peace Corps
PO Box 110264
Solwezi Zambia
Back down in Lusaka Provence for training. I have two and a half weeks left until swear in and then I'll be heading back to Northwestern Provence for good! Really excited to make it out to my site and finally settle into my mud hut. I've been traveling between places now since August. Before coming to Peace Corps it was between my parents and sisters house and now it's been living out of the storage locker and my smaller hut at my host family's during training. Having visited Northwest I now feel like my mind is in three places at once (Lusaka, North West and America) and looking forward to taking it down to two again.
Life has been flying by. Here are a couple of updates. Northwest Provence has about 32 other Peace Corps volunteers that are currently serving so while I was up there I was able to meet a handful of them. I am about half way between Solwezi and Mwinilunga and live near the largest mine in Zambia possibly the largest in Africa currently. They are continuing to find large deposits of copper and I think I couple other minerals. I hope to find out more about all the mining when I return to Northwest. Because it is the mining region there is constant transport. Buses come by in the morning to pick up the miners for work around 4 or 5 am and then drop them off again around 17/17:30. So long day for them. Most of the miners know english which is helpful. I have been learning Kaonde which is the official language of the schools where I am living. But because I live nearby the border with Mwinilunga District my entire family and village speak Lunda. So going to be working on learning Lunda once I get out to site. For right now I need to continue with the Kaonde so I can pass the final language exam.
Northwest is absolutely beautiful especially compared to the Lusaka area. It's the rainy season right now so everything is very green. It rains far more in North West Provence than down in Lusaka because it is closer to Rain Belt so every day I was there it poured at least two or three times. And I must say the rains that come down in Africa are nothing like anything I've ever seen anywhere in America. The rains grow delicious pineapples which is another thing Northwest is known for. I'm hoping to make some pineapple jam once I finally move up there. The country's currency is kwacha and it's about 5,000 kwacha to the dollar. You can get a pineapple when they're in season for somewhere between 500-1500 kwacha - which is about 10-30 cents. If only Peace Corps paid us an American salary instead of Zambian.
Going back to swear-in my brother is a tailor and he finished sewing my dress for swear-in while I was in Northwest. Everyone in Africa wears a 2 meter colorful patterned fabric called Chitenge. Everything for the next two weeks is getting to the point where we're ready to head out to our village so swear-in on April 21st is the next big date on everyone's mind.
I'm getting way more used to navigating around Zambia as well. I feel more oriented after making out to Northwest. We were lucky enough to get a cruiser (Peace Corps vehicle) ride all the way up to our provence about a 12 hour ride to Solwezi and another hour and a half to my site. And then since being back navigating out to Lusaka to Arcades (a shopping complex) where I am now. Used to the mini-bus business and how much fare should be to get to one place or another. My brain is also starting to think in terms of Kwacha and no longer converting to USD (well except for earlier in this post with the pineapples). Zambia is becoming my new home, which is completely necessary if I'm going to successfully spend the next two years here. I feel most comfortable in Chongwe where we are doing training and with my host family. I'm looking forward to the challenge of making Northwest my permanent home and intergrating myself into the community and my family.
Love and miss you all.Take a moment to enjoy your light switch or your constant ability to obtain chocolate :) Thank you to all that have mailed me letters - training is a crazy time. Your letter will not go unanswered and once I'm at post my responses will be speedier. If you mail me a letter you will receive some zambian mail - it just might be on zambian time (most zambians in the rural area tell time by using the sun - so most things are not prompt/timely)
Mushale Bulongo (remain well)
Andrea Moehle PCV
Peace Corps
PO Box 110264
Solwezi Zambia
Back down in Lusaka Provence for training. I have two and a half weeks left until swear in and then I'll be heading back to Northwestern Provence for good! Really excited to make it out to my site and finally settle into my mud hut. I've been traveling between places now since August. Before coming to Peace Corps it was between my parents and sisters house and now it's been living out of the storage locker and my smaller hut at my host family's during training. Having visited Northwest I now feel like my mind is in three places at once (Lusaka, North West and America) and looking forward to taking it down to two again.
Life has been flying by. Here are a couple of updates. Northwest Provence has about 32 other Peace Corps volunteers that are currently serving so while I was up there I was able to meet a handful of them. I am about half way between Solwezi and Mwinilunga and live near the largest mine in Zambia possibly the largest in Africa currently. They are continuing to find large deposits of copper and I think I couple other minerals. I hope to find out more about all the mining when I return to Northwest. Because it is the mining region there is constant transport. Buses come by in the morning to pick up the miners for work around 4 or 5 am and then drop them off again around 17/17:30. So long day for them. Most of the miners know english which is helpful. I have been learning Kaonde which is the official language of the schools where I am living. But because I live nearby the border with Mwinilunga District my entire family and village speak Lunda. So going to be working on learning Lunda once I get out to site. For right now I need to continue with the Kaonde so I can pass the final language exam.
Northwest is absolutely beautiful especially compared to the Lusaka area. It's the rainy season right now so everything is very green. It rains far more in North West Provence than down in Lusaka because it is closer to Rain Belt so every day I was there it poured at least two or three times. And I must say the rains that come down in Africa are nothing like anything I've ever seen anywhere in America. The rains grow delicious pineapples which is another thing Northwest is known for. I'm hoping to make some pineapple jam once I finally move up there. The country's currency is kwacha and it's about 5,000 kwacha to the dollar. You can get a pineapple when they're in season for somewhere between 500-1500 kwacha - which is about 10-30 cents. If only Peace Corps paid us an American salary instead of Zambian.
Going back to swear-in my brother is a tailor and he finished sewing my dress for swear-in while I was in Northwest. Everyone in Africa wears a 2 meter colorful patterned fabric called Chitenge. Everything for the next two weeks is getting to the point where we're ready to head out to our village so swear-in on April 21st is the next big date on everyone's mind.
I'm getting way more used to navigating around Zambia as well. I feel more oriented after making out to Northwest. We were lucky enough to get a cruiser (Peace Corps vehicle) ride all the way up to our provence about a 12 hour ride to Solwezi and another hour and a half to my site. And then since being back navigating out to Lusaka to Arcades (a shopping complex) where I am now. Used to the mini-bus business and how much fare should be to get to one place or another. My brain is also starting to think in terms of Kwacha and no longer converting to USD (well except for earlier in this post with the pineapples). Zambia is becoming my new home, which is completely necessary if I'm going to successfully spend the next two years here. I feel most comfortable in Chongwe where we are doing training and with my host family. I'm looking forward to the challenge of making Northwest my permanent home and intergrating myself into the community and my family.
Love and miss you all.Take a moment to enjoy your light switch or your constant ability to obtain chocolate :) Thank you to all that have mailed me letters - training is a crazy time. Your letter will not go unanswered and once I'm at post my responses will be speedier. If you mail me a letter you will receive some zambian mail - it just might be on zambian time (most zambians in the rural area tell time by using the sun - so most things are not prompt/timely)
Mushale Bulongo (remain well)
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