My Sister in Zambia.

My sister!  She finally made it to Africa.  I have to admit that I was a little bit stunned when she said she was coming.  This is a woman who works full-time and takes care of 3 amazing boys.  I just didn’t think she would have the time to make the loooong trek…but she did it and I’m so happy she did! 

Although our time together was short we managed to pack in a lot…I dragged her around to see some “normal” moments of my life here in Zambia.  We went to “quiz night” with my friends, visited my office, worked out at the gym, and spent Friday night at my favorite hangout spot.  These were the moments that I probably loved the most.  Having her see that my life here really is just normal?  I mean, yes, we have power cuts and women walking with buckets on their head but it’s just another city even though it’s in another continent halfway across the world.

But then, of course, we did the typical tourist things that you can only do in Africa.  Walked with a cheetah, swam to the edge of one of the 7 natural wonders of the world (Victoria Falls) and saw plenty of African wildlife (lions, elephants, giraffe…).  These are the amazing things that I am lucky enough to have in right in my backyard (well, a few hours away) and I'm also glad she was able to see what an amazing place it is here. 

  

It was a fabulous week.  I know it’s not an easy trip (lots of sitting in planes and waiting in airports) so I am so grateful and happy that she made the journey.  Now she can share with her family that Aunt Wendy isn’t crazy living in Africa.  And one day maybe the entire family will come and visit.  Maybe. J

Although she put lots of pictures up I have a few here as well!  Love you sis! xoxo

Yoga in Zambia.

I can’t explain to you how much yoga has continued to be such an important part my life.  I had the opportunity to stumble upon some yoga classes almost 15 years ago at a Gold’s Gym (yes, yoga finds its home in all kinds of wonderful places).  At this smelly, sweaty gym, I found my first yoga teacher.  She was beautiful and kind and strong and made yoga accessible to everyone.  When I walked into that room at Gold’s Gym to do yoga for the first time, I wanted to be more flexible (and maybe learn how to do a handstand).  But what I learned was patience and gratitude. 

We all have expectations about the kind of experience we think we should have (in yoga or in life).  I guess one of the lessons I’ve learned from yoga (and there have been many) is to not have so many expectations.  It’s hard when something doesn’t go the way I expected…a vacation, a job, a relationship.  Many people think I’m talking about not trying or having a goal but it’s sort of the opposite.  It’s more about finding contentment in the life that is occurring as you are living it.  Not making plans for what you think should be happening (based on some expectation).  Because then you can also learn how to let go gracefully when something is not bringing you true joy or contentment.

It’s hard.  But I keep practicing and I love that I have been able to continue practicing here in Zambia with an amazing community around me.  I think about my first teacher and her influence on my practice and teaching.  I teach in Zambia at the back of a French school in a very humble space (it isn’t even really an enclosed room but more just a slab of concrete).  But you can see the sun setting in the evening and feel the cool breeze in the winter or the intense African heat in the summer!  I’m content.  We all roll out our mats and breathe together and practice letting go of expectations (and swat away a few mosquitoes here and there). 

Long Walk to Freedom

When I was living in South Africa I read.  A lot.  But for some reason I never read Long Walk to Freedom.  Anyway, I’ve been reading it this past month and I can’t put it down.  I bring it everywhere (and this is not an easy task because it’s a huge book which takes up a lot of space in my bag).  I’m not sure why I’m so interested in reading this story now.  I left South Africa over 3 years ago but I find myself thinking about South Africa’s history.  Living in such a divided world of black and white where the color of your skin defined your place in life.  Nelson Mandela tells stories about living in a world where you can’t move forward simply based on your race – it had nothing to do with your character or how hard you worked to achieve a goal.  It’s interesting because I felt this and experienced moments of discrimination living in South Africa but for some reason I’m finding that reading about the historical context is both inspiring and challenging.

Last week I went back to South Africa to help once again with an annual project in my Peace Corps community.  Bringing young girls from Johannesburg to visit the village where I lived.  I always feel so proud of the work that has continued in the community but I guess what I kept thinking about was that while South Africa has made so many strides in their walk towards freedom…there’s still a long way to go.  When I tell people that I was a Peace Corps volunteer in South Africa there is always a bit of surprise on people’s faces.  But the reality is that there is still great need in the country.  But what I love to see when I go back is that the country is taking ownership in developing and supporting the areas and people that need assistance.  It’s not easy.  Nor is it perfect.  It will take time.  But I feel honored that I’ve had the opportunity to continue to see the changes that will take shape over the days and weeks and years ahead. 

I suppose you always have a little bit of your heart that stays in the places you call home.  With the families and friends you have met.  That’s how I feel about South Africa.  So continue your walk towards freedom my beloved South Africa. 

Here are just a few pictures from my visit.  Love to you all!

People.

 So I’ve been thinking about my life and wondering.  You know how you just wonder sometimes.  Is this where I’m supposed to be?  Did I make the right decisions?  I was reading something in People (yes, this very highly intelligent reading material…) and they were asking about the sort of advice you might go back and give the younger version of yourself if you could.  I guess one of the things I wonder about is if I made enough mistakes…and not just small mistakes but big, ugly mistakes.  I know it seems crazy but I want to make sure that my life isn't too clean or easy.  I am already living a life that is way too good in comparison to most.  And it makes me crazy to think that I wouldn’t take a risk or fail in some way that made me a better person?  Maybe I’m feeling like this because I’m on the verge of making a big mistake (yes, it does seem strange to vocalize).   Maybe not.  Maybe I’m just feeling crazy because we are experiencing rolling blackouts here in Zambia.  It’s hard to say.  But I hope that I continue to make a few big mistakes in my lifetime.  And I hope you all do too. 

And all this from reading People.  

  

Wedding Things.

I had the honor of being in my first Zambian wedding this weekend.  My wonderful friend, Bonde, got married.  She looked amazing.  The venue was spectacular.  The entertainment was on point.  Everything was perfect.  In Zambia, the bridesmaids and groomsmen all perform a dance at the reception (we actually learned a few dances). It is quite a commitment (I later figured out) to be on the lineup for a wedding here in Zambia.  You start practicing months in advance and then you better not mess up on the actual day.  I can’t say that my dancing was spectacular but I managed.  A couple of the people on the lineup made up for those of us that, well, aren't very good dancers.  I’m not sure I really want to see the video of the performance.  In my mind, I will just pretend I was an amazing professional back-up dancer. :)

Aside from the dancing, the entire day was crazy.  From waking up with bendy rollers in our hair to getting our make-up done to getting dressed for church and then back for pictures and lunch then changing to our evening accessories then heading to the venue and dancing…it all happened so fast?!  I remember thinking when I got home that I couldn't believe the day was over.

Thank goodness that Bonde and Andreas have an entire lifetime ahead of them…because, man, does a wedding day go by fast.  Unfortunately, I didn't get too many pictures.  Once we get some of the professional pictures then I’ll post a few more but for now enjoy!  

Today.

Over the past year I haven’t done a very good job of posting on here.  When I was in Peace Corps I had so much time…now I’m back in the world of work.  But I look back on the things that I wrote here and I love having this sort of documentation of my life.  What I was thinking.  What I was doing.  So, even if it’s just a random post (like this one will be) I’ll try to keep making an effort.  So, today, some thoughts.    

• My family extends beyond the boundaries of one country.  Even one continent.
• I’m am lucky to have a job.  I get to do amazing work every day.  
• I love to drink wine with good friends.  Responsibly of course.
• Raising a dog and letting them sleep in my bed (against my better judgment) is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
• I want to one day write a book for my family full of good advice like I heard this weekend. 
• Lying in bed the entire day is still one of the most amazing ways to spend a day.  Ever.    
• I really should stop eating crackers and calling it a “meal.”
• I am terrible at reversing.  Terrible.
• I wish I could stay at a club all night and just dance without anyone judging me for staying at a club all night and dancing.
• I love Africa.  

Lower Zambezi, Love and Fishing.

Over this past weekend of love (Happy Valentine's Day everyone!), we decided to go fishing.   The Lower Zambezi National Park is situated on the banks of the Zambezi River in the southeastern part of Zambia opposite Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park.  It was magnificent.  I couldn’t believe that I hadn’t been here before…it’s only about 3 hours away from Lusaka and it’s magical.  We really didn’t go much except sit in a boat and pretend to fish (nope, I didn’t catch any fish) but we did see hippos and elephants while looking at some of the most amazing scenery.  Now this is why you should all visit me here in Zambia.

European cities and Ghanaian weddings.

Although the travel itinerary doesn’t really make sense, this year for the holidays I traveled to London, Barcelona and then back to West Africa.   While it was a whirlwind trip, I couldn’t have asked for a more amazing opportunity to spend some time exploring the new places in the world. 

I was able to travel with my friend from the states (who previously lived here in Zambia).  We spent quite a bit of time figuring out how we were going to coordinate travel and meet up at the same places/times since we had to essentially book our flights separately to travel to three different countries in 12 days.  This meant that we traveled together yet we never really traveled together.  We just kept leaving the same cities and meeting up in new ones. 

We originally met in London on New Year’s Eve.  I must admit that I was not prepared for the weather in London.  It was cold.  It doesn’t get that cold here in Zambia so I didn't come very prepared.  We did brave the weather though and rang in the New Year on the streets of London (okay, we were actually in a warm bar)!  Interestingly it didn’t look like anyone else was that cold?  Anyway, we only had a day in London so we spent New Year’s Day at the Tate Modern art museum and then walked along the Thames before hunkering down in a very warm and cozy restaurant.  The next day we left for what we thought would be warmer weather in Spain.  It wasn’t really.  Okay, it was warmer compared to London but we decided we just aren’t cut out for cold climate vacations.  That said, I loved Barcelona.  The city was beautiful (despite the cold) and I could have stayed there much longer (in the summer).  It’s got this great energy.  I loved the architecture, the restaurants, people, beaches.  Everything.    

After only a few short days we traveled back to my beloved Africa.  Our friend was getting married in Accra, Ghana, so we were able to attend the wedding as well as visit some of the sites around town.  Can you guess what our first stop was??   Yes, the beach!  I can’t tell you how happy we were to see sand and lay around on a beach…a proper vacation.  But we did manage to tear ourselves away from the beach to visit a city called Kumasi, the capital city of the Ashanti region which is an important historical center in Ghana.  So we got some culture too, don’t worry.  Our friend also had a traditional wedding ceremony where she wore a beautiful hand-woven kente cloth gown and looked amazing!  And the next day she had a church wedding where we danced to the electric slide at the reception!  And there’s this amazing video of a fight which broke out between two women when the bride tossed her flowers to the lovely awaiting single ladies.  Ahh, weddings.      

I had such an amazing holiday – I tried to capture with a few pictures so I hope you enjoy.  And…Happy New Year everyone!