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!

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.  

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.

     

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.

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...

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.

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.

Group shot (most of the group anyway).