February 19, 2005
Tonga Temptress...
Kamwamba!
So, here I am in Kitwe again. I took the long hike from Mwekera to here... via minibus. It has been hot here. I'm settling in to things really well and I LOVE this country. I hope that I have many visitors (you're giving up the opportunity of a lifetime if you don't) that come within the next 2 years. A word about packages... since I will be going to my site placement on April 2nd, try not to send anything too valuable after March 2nd to the Kitwe address. I would probably get it eventually (and will get letters), but it will take a long time. I'll be hooking y'all up with my permanent address as soon as I know it. I had an interview a couple days ago with my APCD (associate peace corps director) about where I'll be going. Everything is still up in the air, but one of the sites is a polygamist compound... I thought that would be a great experience. We'll see! Pictures will be coming soon... I just have to fill up the damn memory card!
Posted by ringo at 11:55 AM | Comments (13)
February 6, 2005
Mwkera, Kitwe, Ba Alfred, Ba Peggy, Tonga, ETC!!
Greetings from the Copperbelt Province! I am here in Kitwe at a terribly slow internet cafe. Last night was my frist night with my homestay family. The mother, Ba Peggy, is 28 years old. The father, Ba Alfred, is 37. They have 4 sons (Junior, Iden, Darius, and Mientza). Ba Alfred is a driver for the government and Ba Peggy stays home... like most women here. For those of you that know my issuses with rats, you will be happy to know that one visited me IN MY BED last night. Needless to say, I was completely freaked out. Tomorrow training starts for real. It should be really great, but the Tonga language is really tough. My family speaks English, but they have told me that they will not speak it around me that much! I hope that all of you are well... 8 more weeks and I will be in Southern Province. Wish me good luck in training!
Posted by ringo at 9:42 AM | Comments (5)
February 2, 2005
I am here... in Kasama... get out your map!
Yo. Well I have tried to post this like 21 times. Not working. It will be a miracle if it works this time. I am in Kasama in the Northern Province of Zambia doing site visits. I have been in a village and in a boma (town) experiencing the life that is Peace Corps. It is FANTASTIC. I can't wait for everyone to visit... I know that it is expensive, but it will be worth it! Please do your best to make it here in the next 27 months! Tomorrow I go to see these truly wonderful waterfalls and these cave paintings that you thinl Africa should have. AA batteries and baby wipes to the address that is listed will be wonderful. I don't know when I will be able to post again... things are G8 here... I love you all and wish that you could see this. I will not be IN Livingstone as the last post suggests, but very near in a village or boma (town). I will be learning Tonga! I miss all at home.
Peace,
ARV
Posted by ringo at 1:03 AM | Comments (6)