April 25, 2005
Busy Weekend
Hey-lo
Well, here it is, Monday again already. I had a very busy weekend with a lot of happenings. Friday I went to Kalomo (just South of Choma) for a braai. I went with three other volunteers to the tobacco farm of a sweet Welshman. He is dating one of the volunteers here. Anyway. It was a BEAUTIFUL farm... straight out of _Out of Africa_ or something. Anyway, there was a a satellite dish and I am happy to say I have caught up on entertainment news, but was not in the mood for real news. Then the next night I went to Vena's house for a fish (or chicken) and chips dinner with her and my other friend Mukesh. Rue was in town from her village and we spent last night just sitting around talking. It was very fun. I think that my house will be ready for move-in this Saturday. Yay. Oh! I got packages from my mom and my friend Shannah... thanks a million to those two. Oh! I know that some of you might have sent me packages to the Kitwe address that I didn't receive as of yet. Don't worry, I'll get them, and you'll all get proper thank yous soon enough! Missing you all.
Posted by ringo at 1:24 PM | Comments (2)
April 20, 2005
Thanks Jen!
Ok. Well, now you can all see what it is like for me here in Zambia. The burn pics are cool, huh? Anyway. I hope that you all enjoy them and thanks to Jen again for everything. If you are wanting to send me packages (thanks for giving me an excuse to remind everyone Rebecca), they get here in any packaging... boxes are fine, padded envelopes, etc. Just make sure that you write "religious materials" or put crosses on them and stuff. It is also good to write in red ink. That's about all I know about it.
My house should be ready for move-in by the first of the month. It will be really nice and safe... and ready for visitors!!!! I had dinner at my friend Ba Vena's house last night. She owns a hair shop here in Choma and is really awesome. Her daugheter, Diana, is only 10 years old and is already taller than I am! I might start tutoring her a little bit to help her pass the test for grade 6.
OK. Internet is too expensive. Take care.
Posted by ringo at 10:55 AM | Comments (3)
April 18, 2005
Pictures: Jan to Apr 2005
Ringo finally got me a memory card today so I'm putting her pictures up for all of you to peruse. There are a ton though so I'm sticking them over on Flickr. Just stick on the image below or this link to take a look.
Enjoy!
Jen
Posted by booizzy at 7:24 PM | Comments (6)
Pie Crows
I guess that any bird that has a white and black colouring can be called a "pie" something or other. Anyway, these guys are all over the place here in Choma and they love to land just feet from me and have me throw bits of bread to them. Too bad one of them shit on my chair and then I sat in it! I wish that I had pictures to show. There is a scanner here at this internet cafe that I use all the time... hmmm... something to think about. Still waiting to see what improvements will be made on my house and then to move in. The rule of thumb in Africa is to be patient. Anyway. Hope all is well. Thanks so much for the comments and such! Lovies and huggies and all that.
Posted by ringo at 11:15 AM | Comments (2)
April 15, 2005
No Wonder They Drink So Much Beer Here!
Now that I found a house and am waiting to be able to move in and make improvements, I HAVE NOTHING TO DO. Of course work is always there, but I've resolved not to start going into the office every day from 8 to 5 until I feel as if I am settled into my house and all that. So this explains why I am always seeing massive amounts of able-bodied young men and women sitting under trees all drinking from the same "pot" of beer. And why at 10am, someone can stumble up to you already three sheets and procliam, "You, you are a beautiful msungo, I love you, you are my sweetie, we get married this week." Again, I'm sure that if the employment rate was a little bit better things would be different... I'm off to buy some green beans and cigarettes. Oh, also as a result of being totally bored out of my mind, I've finished every damn book I brought with me, so if you're feeling gernerous, books are always a good thing. And kool-aid, kool-aid is great.
Peace.
Posted by ringo at 11:17 AM | Comments (4)
April 13, 2005
I Found a House... Sort of
Yay! Sigh of relief. I found a place to lay my little head. I think that it will be great someday. What I mean is, it needs a little work. The man in charge (landlord I guess) is having the plumbers, electrician, etc come in and get it ready for half-living. It will be good and ready to go in about two weeks. Then I get to start on home repairs... yeah me, the original Home Depot girl! The one REALLY good thing about it is that it is in a very safe place. There is an electric fence around the top of a 20ft wall! It will be small, but it will be mine own little place. I suppose I can start working very soon now that I have that figured out!
Peace.
Posted by ringo at 11:00 AM | Comments (5)
April 11, 2005
Frustrated in Choma
STILL TRYING TO FIND A PLACE TO LIVE!!! I've got some new leads, but for the most part I am just getting pissy at the whole situation. We'll see. Meanwhile, I'll be trying to start working regardless of the housing situation. It should be a good thing, but we'll see. Thanks for all the posts to the site. I miss you guys. Oh, and congrats to Jody and Mendy on the babies!!!
PEACE (or something like it)
RINGO
Posted by ringo at 12:28 PM | Comments (2)
April 8, 2005
Toilet Paper
And that's pretty much all I have to say about it. I mean, that's the order of events for the whole of today! I woke-up late, ate leftover green beans for breakfast, and then Josh and I walked into town (about 10 minutes). No good developments on the house situation, but I'm sure things will pan out eventually. It is just getting to be an annoyance because I would like to start working soon and can't really do that if I'm not settled somewhere to unpack my stuff! I have to go buy some toilet paper now... suprisingly expensive for what it is! I hope that all is well with all of you. I'm starting to pick-up with my written correspondance again now that the burn is slightly less sensitive... so write soon!
Peace.
Posted by ringo at 11:11 AM | Comments (5)
April 7, 2005
House Hunting of a Different Order
Yo! Well, I'm still trying to find a house. That's the priority of the day. They don't have apartment-finding services here, so basically Josh (a volunteer who has been living in a village outside Choma for 2 years) and I are just asking around. Hopefully something will turn-up! I hope you all are well. I'm waiting for all the dates to flood in for when you are all visiting!
RINGO
Posted by ringo at 12:38 PM | Comments (1)
April 6, 2005
IN CHOMA I AM HOMA
ANNIE RINGO VINE
PO BOX 630109
CHOMA, ZAMBIA
Got that? I'm starting my search for a house to call my own. The one I am staying in for now is very nice and BIG. Mrs. Mungala, my new boss at the Ministry of Education, is amazing and wonderful. I can't wait to settle in and start working with IRI. More on that later. Mathew and Rue have left me... each gone to thier village posts. I will see them soon enough, but it is hard to say goodbye to friends that have come to mean so much to me.
Right now I am at the Savannah Cafe here in Choma. It is an excellent internet cafe and they have AMAZING brownies. I know, not quite the Peace Corps experience everyone was picturing for me, but I'm sure I'll adjust to this rough life :)
Oh! I forgot to mention the last time I posted that I went to a croc farm. We got there just at feeding time! It was AWESOME! They have two "man-eaters" there that they captured from nearby villages. They had both eaten numbers of people and livestock for over 70 years. I guess the villagers were ready to get rid of them!
Updates are coming... don't forget to call and write.
Love,
RINGO
Posted by ringo at 10:56 AM | Comments (1)
April 3, 2005
Livingstone Rocks!
Wow!
Well, I "graduated" from Peace Corps training and am now officially a PCV (Peace Corps Volunteer). The ceremony was amazing and beautiful. It was a VERY sad goodbye for me when I left Mwekera on Saturday... the hardest was to leave my best friend, Given. I can't wait for her to visit me here though. I've just finished my first photo memory card, so look for pictures soon. I'm sure Jenny will get on that soon :)
Right now I am writing to you from the Provincial capital of my home province... LIVINGSTONE! I got to see Victoria Falls today. I can't really describe it; it isn't one of the 7 natural wonders of the world for nothing! I guess that means that you'll all have to come and visit to see it.
I don't have a house yet in Choma :( I get posted Tuesday to a temporary house though, so I'm sure it will be all good. I have a permanent address for EVERYTHING for the next two years. It is a 15 minute walk from almost everywhere in Choma to the post office. I can't wait to hear from all of you:
Annie Ringo Vine
PO Box 630109
Choma
Zambia
Africa
What is MUCH more exciting is that I have a telephone. I mean, it is all mine, and I'll have it on and operating all the time. It doesn't cost me anything to receive calls from y'all, but it is too much for me to call out. Basically, if you want to make my day or even just call to say hey, get a phone card and dial me up. My number is as follows:
011 260 97574635
Please keep the messages via email and post on this site coming. Thank you for all the letters and packages still.
Peace,
RINGO
PS the burn is healing nicely... still looking disgusting though!
Posted by ringo at 3:43 PM | Comments (3)