Thursday, December 19, 2013

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. But not in Africa.

I’m sorry for my lack of posts.  Life has been hectic.  Anyway, I’m getting ready to leave on another adventure.  Surprisingly this one will not be in Africa.  I’m going to be spending the holidays this year in South America.  Brazil to be more exact.  I decided to tackle another continent.  Not because I don’t love my beautiful Africa.  It’s just that the cost of getting anywhere within the continent is crazy.  It’s almost cheaper to move off of the continent than to move within (at least trying to fly anywhere).  So, a friend talked me into meeting her in Rio de Janeiro (honestly, it wasn’t that hard to convince me…)!  We will spend a few days in Rio and then fly to Salvador where we’ll spend Christmas.  But, of course we have to go back to Rio where we will spend New Year's at one of the "1000 Places to See Before You Die."



I will report back in January with lots of pictures and stories but until then…sending my love and wishing you all a happy holiday season!  

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Liuwa Plains.

This past weekend I made a whirlwind trip back to the Western Province.  It was a crazy undertaking but worth the effort.  Last year I had failed to see this mass migration of wildebeests (the 2nd largest in Southern Africa) which happens in the Liuwa Plain National Park (this game park is situated about 3 hours outside of Mongu  near the Angola border) and I was bound and determined to make the journey this year.  So, with a 3 day weekend in front of us my brave friends Simon and Shannon agreed to accompany me to find some wildebeests.

We got up at 3:30AM Saturday morning and proceeded to get lost trying to get out of Lusaka.  Luckily, Simon is a good navigator and led the charge so we quickly found our way to the very straight and boring road to Mongu.  We had to meet our guide into the plains by 11AM in Mongu so we were a bit under pressure but we successfully managed.  Shannon was already in Mongu so picked up provisions (complete with tomato sauce, cutlery, green peppers and other random items).  Unfortunately, we later learned we had nothing to cook with but we managed to beg and borrow from other campmates to make a one-pot wonder meal…but I digress.  Anyway, after successfully arriving in Mongu, we immediately left on our next leg of the journey with our guide (you need a 4x4 to maneuver in the park) and headed south to Kalabo.  The road was…let’s see how do I describe the road to Kalabo?  A bit bouncy?  It’s this crazy road that’s being constructed through the plains and it keeps getting washed away during rainy season.  We had fun being launched around the land cruiser (no napping for me) and then bargaining with the construction workers to cross the somewhat constructed bridge because the pontoon was broken.  We ended up giving them a half-eaten loaf of bread in return for allowing us to cross the bridge which may or may not collapse at any moment as cars cross.  Ahh, this is Africa.

Pulling into Kalabo we paid for our campsite in the park (after chasing down the worker who was supposed to be working in the tourist information center but was off attending church) and boarded another pontoon to get into the park.  This park is remote…but beautiful.  It’s just open space.  I don’t think my pictures will truly capture the beauty.  And we quickly found wildebeests.  Unfortunately, we didn’t see thousands of them as anticipated (just hundreds).  Apparently their journey into the park from Angola is delayed a bit…but it was still pretty spectacular.  We also saw the largest hyenas I’ve ever seen.  And a jackal.  And bubble fish, a water monitor and amazingly large birds (I have no idea what kinds).  There are lions in the park but we failed to find them?  Those sneaky lions. 


We had a great time camping with very little equipment, skewering green peppers to try to cook over the fire, and drinking some wine under the stars.  The best part was showering after arriving back in Mongu (we were pretty disgusting) and then watching the sunset over the plains and getting to see old friends who I miss terribly.  It was a good weekend.  I feel lucky that I get to continue to have these adventures in Africa.    

Monday, October 21, 2013

Going back to Mongu.

So this past weekend I went home. Back to Mongu.  So I say I went home because as we were driving into town, that’s what it felt like, going home.  It was this overwhelming sense of nostalgia.  And it’s not like I’ve been gone for that long.  It’s only been a little over a month.  But I have all of these feelings wrapped up in Mongu.  My friends, colleagues, community....as much as I have loved making the move to Lusaka, I've missed living in small town Zambia this past month.  I went back for my friend’s going away party.  She was one of my closest friends in Mongu and I will miss her ‘too much’ as we say here.  We had a crazy weekend dancing at the Mongu clubs, having a braii on the plains, watching the Makishi perform and just generally enjoying a weekend away.  I’m grateful that I can still go back occasionally to visit.  I'm sure as more time passes it will be easier.  Lusaka will start to feel like home.  But, for now, I still love this little western town.

Here are a couple of pictures from the weekend.  In Zambia, the Luvale people hold the 'Makishi festival' to mark the end of the an initiation period. We had the opportunity to see some of the Makishi perform the afternoon of my friend's going away party in the Mongu plains which was really interesting.  Boys (usually ages 8-12) are taken into the bush for 1–2 months where they undergo several rites of passage into manhood. These involve learning certain survival skills, learning about women and how to be a good husband, learning about fatherhood, and also they are circumcised. To celebrate the boys' completion of their initiation the Makishi festival welcomes them back to the village as men. The night before boys from the village take their masks to the graveyard and sleep there, allowing the spirits of their ancestors to enter them. The following evening they appear in the village with their masks. Although the other members of the community know roughly who is taking part, they do not know who is under which mask. The masks represent specific characters.  I've posted a few pictures in my photo album if you get a chance to take a look (more to come soon so keep checking back...)!

The plains of Mongu.  
One of the Makishi.

Sunday, September 15, 2013

My new home in Lusaka.

I have been in Lusaka for a week now.  It’s such a different experience and feel from where I have lived in Africa during my last several years (i.e., small communities in much more rural settings).  Sometimes it hasn’t even felt like I’m in Africa this past week.  Lusaka is a big city.  With traffic.  And restaurants.  And people don’t care that you are a foreigner.  Most people who haven’t been to Africa can’t imagine it could be like this in Africa…the perception is that living in Africa is hard.  And, of course, outside the major cities it is a different world.  But in a place like Lusaka it’s almost like being in America, really.  I mean if you look hard enough you see the cracks (and no you can't get everything you could get in America).  But, for the most part, it’s quite sophisticated.

I have moved into my new home.  It’s a small rondavel…how to explain a rondavel?  It’s a round house with a thatched roof and everything is contained in the one room (there is a small kitchen and bathroom).  It’s great because the high thatched roof keeps the temperature quite cool and it’s perfect for me.  My move was pretty easy because in Mongu I didn’t really have anything (except my clothes and a few essential items) so when I learned that this place was fully furnished I figured we were a perfect match.  And I’m loving the space so far…it’s close to a small shopping complex and my office is about a 20-30 minute commute.  The one problem might be the ants...because of the thatched roof the ants seem to want to share my space.  I'll have to figure that one out.  I suppose this a reminder I'm in Africa.

Other than that, I’m trying to get into a groove with my new job, learn how to drive on the wrong side of the road, and make a few friends (while still keeping in touch with all of Mongu friends…yes, I miss them terribly).  One of my closest friends left the country on Saturday (she finished her contract here in Zambia) and I’m learning the transient nature of this work is going to be difficult as many great people come and go. 


Here is a picture of my new little home (I'll try to take a few more).  I hope you like it as much as I do. J



Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Going back home.

I’ve been looking forward to returning to my Peace Corps community since I left in March of 2012.  It’s just one of those moments you imagine when you say goodbye because the reality is you never know if you will get the opportunity to go back? 

But, I am one of the lucky ones (at least I feel like one of the lucky ones)!  Last week, I had the opportunity to go back to South Africa to visit my community, my friends, my family.  Yes, these people were, and are, my family.  I will never forget those initial moments of being reunited.  It was simply fantastic!  I got to see so many people who had made a profound impact on my life.  Women I worked with who had become friends.  Children from the Phedisang centres who I had played with every day.  The youth from  my intern project and girls from our camp.  The family who I spent countless Sundays with baking and going to church.  All such amazing people.  And, of course, the family I lived with although one of the saddest parts of my return home was not being able to see the man who had supported me throughout my time living in the community, Piet, my host father.  In June, he passed away.  It was difficult to be back and not see him.  But I got to spend some time with other family members which provided comfort and allowed for a bit of healing since I hadn't been able to go back for his funeral and memorial service.  I sure do miss him though.  

The reason I went back was to help with a project very close to my heart.  The Roedean-Phedisang Residential.  Through an amazing partnership with a school in Johannesburg called the Roedean School, every year a select group of girls are brought to the rural community where I stayed to help at the organization which I supported during my Peace Corps service, the Phedisang Project.  The girls (who are all in grade 11) meet the children who visit the centers every day, play games, help with various projects, and just generally get to see what it’s like to live in the rural areas of their very own country.  South Africa is a strange and complicated country (as are most places).  The poorest of the poor live in the same country with some of the most wealthy.  So the girls are able to learn and appreciate what it’s like to move around in a world that is usually very different from their own.  I helped organize and participated in this project during my Peace Corps service but going back was an amazing opportunity and allowed me to continue to support the project.  I feel lucky to have this rare opportunity and look forward to staying involved. 

I have to also say that I am so proud of the work that continues at Phedisang.  The people working there are doing some fantastic things.  If you are interested in supporting their work, please let me know and I will tell you how you can help.  There is still lots to be done!  I have put some pictures up so that you can see the girls from Roedean in action and of course my amazing project and community - which I will always consider home.  Also, you can visit the blog which the girls updated during their stay (it’s one of the links on the right).

Sunday, July 21, 2013

The Secret.

“Remember that your thoughts are the primary cause of everything.” 
 
Rhonda Byrne, The Secret

I have wanted to find a way to stay in Africa and I suppose the universe has been listening.  I am happy to tell you that I have been given the opportunity to stay here in Zambia.  I will be working for the same organization, JSI (www.jsi.com if you are interested in reading a bit more about the work we do), but I will be moving from Mongu to our central office in Lusaka into a different role.  I am thrilled about the opportunity and feel lucky to have found a job that will be both challenging and allow me to stay in this beautiful country.  Of course, I will have to find my way navigating around a much larger city (Lusaka is the capital of Zambia and the biggest city here with a population of about 2 million) but at least I am somewhat familiar with the city after weekend visits during the past year and a few friends to help me along the way.

I will officially be moving in September and will let you know my new mailing address (so probably best to not send any more mail since it takes about 2 months to get here).  I look forward to sharing new adventures and, as always, you are welcome to visit anytime!

Monday, July 8, 2013

Holiday in the desert.

It’s been a good holiday week.  Okay, it didn’t start off so exciting.  I traveled to Lusaka initially to get my dentist appointments over with…yes, the tooth that broke eating rice in Mongu is now fixed and hopefully there will be no further teeth problems in my near future.  It was certainly a problem dental year.  Anyway, after the dentist saga I met up with my friends from Mongu to attend our friend Karen’s wedding which we were all quite excited about since it was our first Zambian wedding.  Turns out it was pretty westernized but still fun.  We watched them say their vows in the morning and then attended the reception and enjoyed some dancing and although it was freezing we braved the cold and stayed until the very end (in fact, I think we were the last guests to leave).

The next morning I left to Namibia with my friend Mine – Namibia has been one of the countries I’ve been anxious to get to so was excited to finally be making my way there.  Mine and I decided not to do too much planning and really just sort of planned as we went.  Unfortunately, we didn’t plan for the extreme cold which we encountered upon our arrival.  It was crazy!  We both had to buy jackets and basically wore as many clothes as possible to stay warm.  We still had a great time visiting the beautiful Namib desert and taking a day trip to Sandwich Harbor (outside of Walvis Bay).  We stayed in Windhoek a couple of days and then drove to the coast where we stayed for several days.  Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to drive down south (to Fish River Canyon which I’ve heard is beautiful) but maybe next time.  We loved the amazing coastline bumping up against the desert though and had a great time learning how to “sandboard.”  Turns out it’s really just like snowboarding only very sandy.  Our only complaint was the cold…who knew the desert would be so cold?  But the beauty made up for our lack of warmth.

I hope you enjoy the photos (make sure to visit my photo album over there to the right).  I came back feeling refreshed and relaxed.  Now, back to Mongu.  For now.  

Friday, June 14, 2013

Happy in Zambia.

Mongu, Zambia.   I can’t believe I’ve been in Mongu now almost 9 months.  I have come to love this little town in the west.  Filled with sand and fish!  When you look out onto the plains it feels like you are at the end of the world.  The sunsets here are amazing.  Truly some of the most spectacular I’ve seen in my lifetime.  I love my work and the people here.  I feel really busy.  I teach yoga to a small group a couple times a week (and, yes, I'm still running in the morning!) and have a network of friends which keep me busy.  When I leave my office I’m tired - a good kind of tired.  I travel into the field for monitoring and evaluation site visits usually twice a month which is always an adventure (one that I love).  I have learned so much about logistics as it relates to health commodities in Zambia.  I really wish I had the opportunity to stay longer here as I just feel like I am getting settled and starting to contribute.  I am really happy.  But, change is always around the corner...and as we all know wherever you go, there you are.
     

Monday, June 3, 2013

What's in Sioma.

This weekend we did a quick overnight trip to a tiny little town about two hours south of Mongu called Sioma.  According to Lonely Planet, the only reason to go to Sioma is Ngonye Falls and I do have to agree with them although it's worth a visit as the falls are quite beautiful and it was a nice little break from Mongu.  In order to get to Sioma, you have to take a couple of taxis and cross the Zambezi River.  But I was pleasantly surprised at how organized this process was? It amazes me sometimes how transport can just work out as you are getting around Africa (I mean you still have to wait but things usually do come together).

Sioma really is quite beautiful and the falls are truly spectacular – imagine Victoria Falls except there are literally no tourists around (I mean there were barely any people in the entire town)?  There is also a game park nearby which we didn't go to but maybe next time?  Now that we know it’s really not that difficult to get to the area and I’ll be coming back in a couple of weeks for work to a neighboring district (Shangombo) and I’m told that I’ll get to see game as we drive to the health facilities.  Pretty spectacular.

I've put a couple of pictures up so make sure to visit my Photo Album!

Sending my love from Sioma.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Mongu Family.


We had to say goodbye to one of our Mongu family members.  And that’s what it really has become - we are a small but mighty family unit.  It’s nice.  We have 'family' gatherings just to chat, we go out dancing at all the major Mongu hot spots, do yoga together, have dinner together, and just generally take care of each other.  Unfortunately, you know that at some point people will move on…that’s just the way it is.  You will be missed here in Mongu, Patrick.  

And I say a big cheers to the rest of my Mongu family.  I am happy you have made your way into my life...


Thursday, April 25, 2013

Thinking about home.


I’ve been thinking a lot about home.  And what that means.  People ask me all of the time if I miss home.  I miss my sister and those amazing boys of hers.  I miss going to movies with my mom.  I miss going to eat Mexican food with my Grandmother.  I miss my dad’s quiet ways and his willingness to always help.  I miss going to yoga (or drinks or hiking or just spending time) with my friends.  I miss my Carnelian sisters.  I was just looking at pictures and I can’t tell you how much I miss all of you…wherever you are.  But I don’t know that I miss "home."  I feel like part of this journey the past 3 years or so has been a bit of searching for where my home might be...I still don’t know that I’ve found the perfect place for me but I know that wherever I go I find more people that continue to make a place feel like home even if the place isn't quite home yet.  And although it makes me sad that I can’t carry everyone around in a little bag with me wherever I go, just knowing that you are all with me (reading my blog or sending me an email  or text or just thinking about me) it makes me feel like I’m already home.  Wherever I go.  And someday I will actually have a home where you can visit me.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Kuomboka 2013. Amazing.


I feel really lucky that not only was I able to attend Kuomboka but that I had so many friends (and friends of friends who quickly became friends over the course of the weekend...) come to Mongu to take part in the festivities…and all 15 of them stayed at my house.  People arrived Friday night and left Sunday morning and it was a big celebration the entire time they were here.  We watched live Zambian music, took a boat out into the floodplains of Lealui where the king prepared to start his journey, watched traditional dancing as the Zambian Vice President arrived in his helicopter and escorted the king to start his 6+ hour journey (with a crew of many paddlers supporting him along the way) then saw him arrive later in the evening to his home on higher ground in the village of Limulunga (with a spectacular crowd and an amazing sunset). 

I loved having the opportunity to show everyone around Mongu and while at times it was a bit hectic with so many people, I would do it again this weekend in a heartbeat…in fact, I’m told there is a smaller “Kuomboka-like” ceremony taking place in a village just outside of Mongu this coming weekend.  Maybe I’ll try to go...I can't get enough.  Although I wish all of my friends would come back.  I miss them already. :(

I have some pictures up in my photo album so please take a look.  And I recommend if you are ever in Zambia in the Western Province around the time of Kuomboka…you must attend.  It was amazing.

Photo: Group Shot!
Group shot (most of the group anyway).

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Kuomboka. It's almost time.


Kuomboka is coming.  April 20, 2013.  We have been waiting for this date to be announced for months yet I think they are just organizing for the ceremony this week.  Oh, how I love Africa and last minute planning.  I will be hosting about 15 people in my humble house (I’ve told them they all have to sleep on the floor because I don’t have beds) as we enjoy the ceremony.  Look for pictures coming soon but for now read up on Kuomboka (click on the link below) which means "getting out of water." Or of course you can google Kuomboka and find lots of information.


Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Easter and Music in Zambia.

During Easter weekend, I don’t think I ate a single bit of chocolate??  Or attended any religious functions for that matter! :) But I did watch a lot of live music?  In Africa, you find new ways to celebrate holidays, I suppose.  

I ended up making my way with a few friends (via a couple of buses and taxis) to Siavonga (which is a beautiful little town/village on Lake Kariba which I think I wrote about when I went there for a work function a few months ago) where they were holding a Zambian music festival.  Although this was the first year this festival was being held, we had been told that “thousands” of people were expected to attend so were anxious to check it out and enjoy music outside by the lake.  Unfortunately, the “thousands” number had been quite inflated.  I would guess that maybe a hundred people were there?  After the initial shock of realizing we were going to be dancing mostly alone (oh well?!), we figured it was still a beautiful setting and there was great music?  So we enjoyed our time anyway…hopefully next year more people will take advantage of the opportunity to hear some great music.  Just so you can feel like you were almost there with me (!), check out the links below (I tried to give a sample of just a few of the great artists)!  I have to say that Zambian music is slowly growing on me…

B-Flow - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odQDVWU2Df0

The outdoor stage at the music festival.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Weekend Travel Goes Bad.

I thought I would take a lovely weekend holiday to Victoria Falls but unfortunately it didn’t turn out exactly as planned.  I shall try to give a short update.  I started out taking the bus to Lusaka where I was meeting my friend Heather so that we could connect to another bus and go on to Livingstone.  Because my bus from Mongu was delayed (the journey from Mongu to Lusaka should take about 8 hours but it took a bit longer), we didn’t make our connection and ended up leaving from Lusaka about 3 hours later than anticipated.  The bus ride to Livingstone was miserable, 1.) because I was now almost 16 hours into my bus ride journey and 2.) we stopped at every little town/village along the way to pick-up or drop off people.  Anyway, we arrived in Livingstone on Friday evening happy to be there and ready for some dinner.  This is when the “unfortunate event” happened.

We were walking out of my friend, Joel's, gate to get dinner and it was dark (around 7:30PM) and I believe I had just turned to say something to Heather when all of a sudden I was at the bottom of a concrete ditch on my head.  I don’t know exactly how I tripped and fell but all I know is that my face was covered in dirt and my neck was hurting.  I was a bit panicked because the first thing that crossed my mind was that I might be paralyzed for the rest of my life.  Then I made sure my teeth were all still in my mouth.  And then I started crying.  Heather and Joel were now looking for me (because you couldn’t really see into this small ditch) but they realized I wasn’t just playing a game of hide and seek so they got two men from the street to help carry me into Joel's house so my injuries could be assessed.  

The short story is that I am fine.  I am not paralyzed, have all of my teeth and only have bruises and cuts.  Although I landed on my head, I didn’t fall hard enough to do any real damage to my neck.  Thank goodness.  So after a long night of picking sand and rocks out of my face so that the cuts could be cleaned, I slept and we managed to wrap me up like a mummy so that we could go to the falls on Saturday.  It was quite comical though because people would try to avert their eyes yet stare upon seeing me only to say, “Sorry.”  I started feeling bad for people who had to look at me.

After one day in Livingstone (yes, one day...that was crazy planning looking back), we took the bus back to Lusaka (a mere 8 hours) and then I hopped on the bus back to Mongu.  This should have only taken 8 hours but the bus broke down and we had to wait while they fixed it.  So, very late on Sunday I was back in Mongu after my relaxing weekend away.
 
I have put some pictures up of my weekend travels (and, yes, I put one up showing my poor head but it's not too bad, I promise).  I look forward to visiting the majestic Victoria Falls again soon...under better circumstances.  :) 

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

It happened so fast.


I was working in and around Mongu District last week visiting health centers (just doing my job like I do now...thank goodness I am actually starting to understand my job).  Every day we set out from the office and moved through copious amounts of sand to visit staff from various health centers.  Essentially, we check to see if they understand how to complete and submit monthly reports, then we do a routine stock assessment of the drugs at their center and also check to see if they have any challenges (and provide training as needed).  All in all, it takes a couple of hours or more for this process to take place at each health center (sometimes more depending on what drugs you are checking).

Of course you find all kinds of crazy things (not always related to the work you are doing…just in general things that amaze and surprise me).  For instance (and this is just one example...I have so many stories), we were meeting with the staff who run this very remote health center last week (it takes almost two hours to access by foot but luckily we had a car).  Anyway, as we were meeting, a small group of women came to the center and they were ushered into the back room (which is like a small clinic/patient room).  I was barely aware of their presence as we kept meeting (one of the women we were meeting with got up and attended to them).  We just kept on talking and working in the storage room.  Well, I’m not even kidding that maybe 15 or 20 minutes went by and I see these women come back out and start to leave.  I asked the staff what had happened because I was curious?  She casually said that one of the women had just given birth.  What?!  I practically fell out of my chair.  There had been no screaming, yelling…nothing.  And it had been seriously less than 30 minutes for this entire process (entering, birthing, paperwork, leaving).  Amazing.  No big deal.

For as much as I am amazed with all of the challenges that exist here I am equally amazed at the simplicity of life.  I felt proud to be in Africa as I witnessed how simple life could be.  Although I did comment to the staff (as they were laughing at my amazement of the situation) that there is no way I could have done what this woman did...unless I had been given some very high doses of drugs.  I wish I could have gotten a picture of the happy occasion.  But I didn't.  It all happened so fast.  So, instead here are some pictures of us out and about in Mongu. 

We got a bit stuck so had to push the car a bit.

Some of great animals in and around Mongu.

Sand, sand everywhere.

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Yoga in Mongu.

Sometimes I forget how much I love yoga.  Especially when I haven’t been that diligent about practicing.  I'm lucky if I get on my mat a couple of times a week when I’m really committed.  And then when I’m traveling it’s even more sporadic.  I find it hard without a yoga community to practice with - I know it shouldn’t be but I miss practicing with other people even if it’s just occasionally.  It keeps me motivated and connected.  I was in Lusaka this last week and took a class with a friend.  It was great to have 20+ other people around.  Hearing them breathe.  Moving together.  I know it’s not necessary to have a practice that revolves around other people.  But it sure is nice once in a while. 
Recently, I had this conversation with a volunteer who just moved to Mongu (she is an Italian volunteer who came here to help with an agriculture project a few weeks ago).  Well, she got all animated and excited and said that she had recently started doing some yoga and would love to have a class in Mongu!  She asked if I would be willing to teach.  Of course?!  We had our inaugural class this week with just a few people to try it out and already have plans to expand.  People from our mutual projects as well as the community seem interested in joining so we have to find a larger space?  I can’t tell you how good it feels to practice with a community again…right here in Mongu. 

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

This is Africa.


I told someone the other day that I both love and hate Africa all in the same moment.  I don’t know that I can completely explain this sentiment but I know that I feel it.  I love running in the mornings and having a little girl smile shyly at me from behind her mother.  I love the sunsets here.  I love that you can see a community working together in small but substantial ways, trying to make things better.  But I hate finding laziness or corruption.  Or the fact that no one questions authority and that they can just accept things they way they are, even if they aren’t working.  And I know these things exist all over the world.  But I have found my way here.  To Africa.  And somehow every day I continue finding ways in which I both love and hate it here. 

The view from my window.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

A Little Bit of This A Little Bit of That.

So I’m just going to post a few pictures of things that I have been doing while I’ve been out and about in Zambia these past couple of months. The first are photos from my travels up north during the training I went to in the Copperbelt – we visited this Chimpanzee orphanage camp called Chimfunshi (www.chimfunshi.org.za).

https://plus.google.com/photos/108740867339265842929/albums/5835568537264084849?authkey=CNSymq3W7ODJbQ

The next group is from a “kitchen party” I went to over the Christmas holiday in Mongu. A kitchen party is sort of like a bachelorette party for a woman who is preparing to get married here in Zambia. They have all kinds of traditional ceremonies which take place during a typical kitchen party but the overall theme is to prepare a woman for her wedding and share information (only women come to this party) about how to take care of her husband (and you also give gifts to the bride-to-be). I was invited to this particular kitchen party by a friend from Mongu sort of by chance (without knowing what I was getting into)…it was fun. There was a lot of dancing. Lots.

https://plus.google.com/photos/108740867339265842929/albums/5835563594026715169

The last photos are from my recent work retreat where we went to Siavonga which is located on Lake Kariba (which borders Zambia and Zimbabwe). It was quite beautiful. Hot and humid but beautiful. On the last afternoon we took a boat cruise and were hoping to see some hippos. We didn’t but we still had a good time.

https://plus.google.com/photos/108740867339265842929/albums/5835568537264084849

And you can now get to all of my photos anytime by clicking on the link which says My Photo Album on the right over there.  It should be working.

Enjoy!

 

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like...


2013.  You thought I was going somewhere else with that opening, didn’t you?!  J  Happy New Year!  I am pleased to report that I have successfully made it through another year.  I do have to admit that 2012 was probably not my most productive year.  Strangely, I sort of felt like 2012 was my “gap year.”  You know, that year between high school and college (not that I am at all in this age range but it’s the idea)?  Maybe I just needed some time to figure things out.  I wasn't really planning it this way.  I didn't have a map.  It just seemed to happen. 

Let’s see, I finished my Peace Corps service in South Africa at the beginning of 2012 (which has changed my life in so many ways).  Then I took a month long hiatus trip floating around South Africa after which I traveled back to the US of A…and lived with my parents for the next several months.  Well, actually, for about a month during that time I traveled here and there.  And the entire time I was searching to find my place in the world all the while letting go of old habits that weren't really helping me move forward.  And, now, here I am.  In Zambia.  Where I finished out the remainder of 2012. 

I don’t know that I have had some big revelation which is making me feel like it’s now going to be okay.  But I think it's going to be okay.  And I don’t have any regrets about 2012.  It was a good year.  One that I will never forget.  And, just for fun, I thought I would share a couple of songs that will forever remind me of New Year's 2013 in Zambia (hopefully the links work)!