Welcome to Mongu.

I have arrived in Mongu. And I have also left again. Well, I’m just back in Lusaka for some more training. Which means I spent all of 4 days in my new home but it was good to be able to see where I’ll be living for the next year. Luckily, I was taken there (and back) by a driver from my new organization so I didn’t have to ride the bus (although I’m told the buses are actually pretty decent). It was about a 7 hour drive to/from Lusaka and, yes, we drove through Kafue National Park. I did get to see some amazingly beautiful elephants (like right by the car!) and also impala, kudu, warthogs, monkeys, baboons, and some other deer-like animals (I don't know what they were).  No lions or giraffes or leopards but maybe next time. We also stopped at the Kafue River to get a couple of pictures and we were accosted by a guard telling us to move our car out of the road (I think he was just drunk although to his credit we were parked in the middle of the road). Upon arrival in Mongu, I got to see my house but didn’t get to stay in it the first night. Apparently, the water pump was broken (yes! I have running water!) so I stayed at the lovely Dolphin Inn. It was very quaint in a strange sort of way (and colorful) and I also got to meet the two other Americans who live in Mongu. They are both working for an agriculture project and have been around for a few months. At least I know two people? The next day I moved into my house and, man, do I have a ton of space. It’s a 3 bedroom house with 2 bathrooms (no showers just bathtubs so it’s essentially like taking a bucket bath as you work to pour running water over you...although no hot water but I am quite content because it's extremely hot all of the time anyway). And in the rest of my house there is so much empty space it’s kind of silly. I’m just using the one bedroom and they other rooms will remain empty since I do not have the funds nor the need to get items to furnish them. So, I’m doing lots of handstands and cartwheels to fill my time.

The Mongu terrain is a bit challenging. It is a quite sandy as I was warned. Which makes transport difficult. I will have to get myself to/from work everyday which is about 5km. I do have a bike but we’ll see how that goes in the sand. And, all of this sand makes the water a nice brown color so I’m busy filtering water and it still has a lovely rust color and somewhat sandy taste. But, all in all, Mongu seems good. Still lots to learn.  

I didn't have much time to explore the beautiful flood plains, see the king's palace or check out all of the hot spots in town (aka, the many tuck shops and bars).  But you can check out the photos of my house and those amazing elephants.  And, my new address is posted!!  Start writing letters and sending lots of books (I am in need of good books) and Halloween treats!

Sending my love from Mongu.

Zamfantastic.

I made it to Zambia! Actually, I have been here two weeks already. But I have yet to get out and see much of the country because I have been immersed in training, training, and more training in the large capital city of Lusaka (which is really kind of just a big city)? But, it’s fine…because I love my new job! I feel incredibly lucky to have this amazing opportunity and I am also happy to be back in Africa. I’ll tell you all about what I will be doing soon enough but for now, here is a picture of the other two American volunteers that I have been training with (Jonathan and Margaret) in the JSI office in Lusaka. We will be in Lusaka for about another week before we leave for our respective posts in the provincial offices (we won’t be near each other at all but hopefully we’ll have opportunities to see each other during trainings in Lusaka, etc).

So, I have learned that I will be going to the Western Province to the town of Mongu. These are some of the things people have been telling me about Mongu:

• It’s really hot.

• When it’s not really hot, it floods. Like roads close and people get cut off from service.

• There’s a lot of sand…not just a little sand. lots of sand. One person gave me a visual of sand spilling over the top of your shoes when you walk (hopefully this was an exaggeration).

• You can get great fish in Mongu because it sits near the Zambezi River. Too bad I don’t eat fish.

• It is the major rice growing region of Zambia. Everyone tells me the “best” rice comes from Mongu. Oh, and they also grow cashews.

• I will be learning/speaking Lozi (which is somewhat similar to the Bantu language I learned in South Africa, thank goodness).

• There is a really cool African ceremony called the Kuomboka Ceremony which takes place in March/April and I’ve been told thousands of people come to the area to see the Lozi King journey from his dry-season palace to his wet-season palace via a huge wooden canoe. Sounds pretty amazing?

• I get to travel through (literally through – there are no fences or gates or anything) a game park to get to Mongu. People see lions, elephants, kudu right by or even on the road…and you don’t have to pay to do a game drive. That’s pretty amazing?! And sort of dangerous…

But, this is all informaiton that I'm just picking up from others. I will tell you about my new home when I get there. I’m looking forward to actually seeing what Mongu has to offer. I just like saying Mongu.

I don’t have an address yet but when I do, please send me letters…and packages too.  Maybe I'll send you some rice. 

On the road again.

It's strange to be preparing yet again to leave. Strangely, I have those same feelings I had almost 3 years ago when I left for South Africa. I am anxious, thrilled, worried, ecstatic, sad…I thought I would be more prepared having gone through this before but it’s still sort of overwhelming. I feel like I haven’t packed the right things or said goodbye to everyone or followed up on some outstanding issue. So, on the eve of my departure, I thought I would do something very important. Post some pictures on my blog (check out the link on over there to the right).


Can’t wait to meet you Zambia…prepared or not.


Self-portrait of me while gathering items from storage out of parent's garage in Colorado.



Mysterious ways.

So the past few months have been...oh, you know. I have had some really wonderful days and some really tough days. Coming back home was an amazing gift.  An opportunity to spend time resting, relaxing (way too much time probably), traveling, and contemplating my future.


But, to be honest, I'm not sure if I was ready to come back.  I don’t know if I mentioned this but I had contemplated staying for a third year in South Africa (it’s an option for volunteers if circumstances line up). I had gone so far as to apply for a post and was really excited about the opportunity. But it didn’t work out for various reasons and even though I was disappointed, I thought, at the time, that it just wasn’t meant to be for me to stay in Africa. I figured I was supposed to come back home and decide what would come next for me. But as time has passed over these last few months, things haven’t lined up for whatever reason. Yes, I’ve applied for jobs but I haven’t found “the one” and I have increasingly found myself in a funk.

But then it happened. It’s kind of strange how things happen “in mysterious ways” as they say. Anyway, I found an opportunity that would take me back to Africa.  And for whatever reason, I have been given my third year in Africa.  So at the end of the month, I will be leaving again. And although I won’t be going back to South Africa, it feels like this is what I am supposed to be doing right now. And as for after that? I guess I’ll figure it out...later.

So, my wonderful friends and family, I will be leaving yet again to a new home away from home. I’ll be living and working somewhere in Zambia (as soon as I find out I'll let you know but it looks like I will be in one of two provinces – either in Mongu in the Western Province or Kasama in the Northern Province), as a Public Health Officer working with an amazing organization called JSI Research and Training Institute, Inc. (you can check out their website on my links section to the right). I am greedily learning all that I can about my newly adopted African country and welcome you to do the same. Did you know that Zambia is home to almost 12 million people and is just slightly larger than the state of Texas? And of course you can also visit the glorious Victoria Falls (among many superior game parks). So if you are interested in getting away next year, come on over for a quick visit and I will happily be your host.

So, while I am sad to be leaving, I am happy to finally be moving forward again.

I heart Switzerland.

Amazing. I don’t think I will truly be able to describe to you how much I loved Switzerland. At times it could be quite unsettling because it was so…perfect. Everyone using their bikes, or walking on pristinely maintained trail systems, the wonderful trains which were always on time (usually to the minute), the lack of garbage anywhere on the streets, the Alps (my absolute favorite part of Switzerland), the beautiful cities, and of course the chocolate.


Our “home” was in a little town outside of Zug (about 40 minutes away from Zurich by train) which was an incredibly charming place surrounded by beautiful rolling green hills  and a gorgeous lake. We had easy access to the train and enjoyed walking or running in the Swiss countryside in the morning (there was an amazing trail system which offered great running/walking/biking access). And there was a beach on the lake not too far away which provided great people watching and beautiful views! It was an idyllic place. I think I could have stayed there forever.  Too bad it was incredibly expensive...and I don't know German.

Upon my arrival we immediately embarked upon an ambitious couple of days of hiking (courtesy of Chuck’s planning) in the Alps. Michelle and I were unaware of how long and far we were going but the views made up for the long uphills and ambitious downhills. I don’t know if the pictures do it justice but the Alps are one of the most amazing places I’ve probably ever been in my life. Every view is breathtaking. I could probably have spent my entire time hiking in these majestic mountains.

After our hike (feeling a bit sore and tired and wet since it had rained our last night), we made our way to Zurich to meet my friend Jennifer who was joining us for a few days and spent the next week sightseeing. We headed to Lucerne where we took a walking tour and enjoyed this beautiful little city on the water which was only about an hour from Zug. The next day we all took the train down south to Locarno which is on Lake Maggiore near Lake Como (no George Clooney sightings although the rumor was he was in the vicinity during our stay). This area is steeped in the Italian influence of Switzerland since it sits right on the border of Italy (it is only about 40 km from Milan). We loved a little village called Ascona and took a morning walk there to see the market. Jennifer and I also took a boat tour to a little village called Bellinzona (didn't love this village but the views fron the boat were great) and we also stopped on a little island with a beautiful botanical garden.

After spending a couple of days in Locarno we headed back to our home base and then took a day trip to the city of Bern where I had high hopes of seeing the parliament in action. Unfortunately that didn’t work out but we enjoyed the city anyway. Bern sits on the river where people can swim and relax and the city offers amazing architecture and city life. After visiting Bern, Jennifer and I then headed back to the Alps for another hiking day and were rewarded with probably the clearest skies of the week as we hiked to a little village called Gimmerwald (complete with a walk under a waterfall).

We ended the week by spending the day in Zurich shopping (mostly window shopping) and heading back to Lucerne for an outdoor evening concert on the lake (hoping to catch a glimpse of De La Sol) and then Jennifer headed back home.

Michelle, Chuck and I decided to head to France for a couple of days (I’m telling you the train systems offer easy access to most any nearby country – it’s awesome). We ended up in the cutest of cute towns, Strasbourg, France. We loved this place! Cheap wine and good beer plus a bustling outdoor market filled with great people and beautiful things? What more could you ask for (oh, and there was the really cheap hostel we stumbled upon which justified our little mini-vacation).  We were in heaven! We stayed for the weekend and reluctantly left stopping at a quaint little town also in France called Colmar on the way back to Zug.

Out last couple of days we took a bike ride around the lake near Zug (stunning!) and I picked out my dream house so that I know where to live when I make enough money to move to Switzerland. Then we enjoyed spending Switerland’s Independence Day (August 1) on the lake watching fireworks and having a picnic (almost like our 4th of July). A perfect end to a truly perfect vacation.

And, yes, I reminisced about Peace Corps life. It was so great to be with Michelle and Chuck and I’m already wondering when we will have our next “family” vacation. But first the rest of my life…

Sorry for the abundance of pictures but I just couldn't get enough.  Hope you enjoy!

One step at a time.

So before I tell you about what’s happening for the rest of my life, I’ll tell you about the next few weeks.  One step at a time, one step at a time.  Being unemployed for the last couple of months has been quite the journey.  I find myself oscillating between loving having all the time in the world to take yoga classes, go on long runs or try new workout classes, drink chai tea (I'm obsessed), read books, hang out with friends, watch lots of mindless TV/movies and….going crazy having the time to do all of these things.  

So, I’ve decided to take a vacation.  Makes perfect sense, don’t you think?  I’ll be going to Europe with my Peace Corps “family” – Michelle and Chuck.  I’m really looking forward to not only being in Switzerland but to seeing my amazing friends again.  While we’ll be staying in a little town called Steinhausen (which is outside Zurich), we are going to try to maybe visit Italy and France as well as do some camping and hiking in the mountains (in the Alps, of course). 

While this isn’t exactly the best time to go (seeing as I don’t have a job) I figured when would I ever have this time since I hope that one day I will be employed again.  And since we have a free place to stay (Michelle and Chuck are doing a home swap so hooray for free) I am also justifying my vacation since it will be so "cheap."  I’ve also discovered something that I am in need of…a reconnection with my Peace Corps family.  I want to talk about silly Peace Corps stuff and do a bit of reminiscing about the life I left behind.  It’s been amazing how much I have relied on this extended family, not only Michelle and Chuck, but many of my Peace Corps friends during my transition home.  It’s weird how these previous strangers have become part of my family and will now always be part of my life.  

So, for now, I’ll jump on a plane and do a bit of traveling.  And then I’ll start the next chapter of my life.     

Change.

I can feel it.  I have been home for almost two months.  And I can feel that things are starting to change. Yes, they are.  Yes, indeed, they are.  Soon, I will tell you all about.  That is, if you are still reading this silly blog about my life.