Global Vagabond

FINALLY I AM ABLE TO UPDATE. First off NEW ADDRESS: Garrett LaCivita PC Zambia PO BOX 410374 Kasama, Zambia, Africa Sorry for those who may have been reading and found nothing new to look at for the last month.  There is not accessable internet in Zambia except for my provinical house, which is currently where I am right now. So some background info on the last month, we (the 18 of us, sadly one has dropped out already) have been very busy.  Our day consists of 4 hours of language training monday through saturday monrings from 8 - 12.  And its suprising how quickly we learn it, I had a dream in Bemba the other night which was kinda weird.  After that we go back and help with lunch with our families and then its off to the ponds/tech center from 1345 - 16/1700.  This half of the day can consist of anything from learning to ride a bike with 50 lbs of water/fish hooked on to the back, fish anatomy and pond construction, to HIV/AIDS and malaria ...

So I have arrived safely in Zambia.  The flights were CRAZY and monday through wednesday all seem like one long day.  It was defiantly a worm hole experience. In a word, Zambia is lush.  It sprinkles every now and then but everything is SO green even from the plane it was unreal.  As of right now I am on this compound outside Lusaka and its really more like a tiny resort for PC people rather than being in Africa.  Its great for bonding and lots of orientation but I am beyond excited to move out to the "more real" parts of the country.  Our days here pretty much consist of paperwork, lots of discussion and orientation, getting to know each other, frisbee, and soccer, along with the occasional beer. Sunday we get to shadow a current volunteer in a village and see what the real work is all about. Ill be heading out to the Central region with 4 other group mates, all of whom are really great people, and itll be our first real initiation to Zambi...

Day 1 was just a big train wreck.  Just when I thought I had everything under control and I was ready for this, I get to the airport with my mom and Rodgers and I could not stop crying.  The poor people going through security with me.  This display was followed by delays and cancellations all over my airport, luckily my flight was not cancelled just delayed an hour, but we were loaded onto the plane and then sat on the runway for another hour because of excessive fog.   Needless to say I was late to orientation, but so was half the group. I guess we were all riding the strugglebus today. My PC group consists 43 volunteers, or trainees since we are not technically volunteers yet,  between the ages of 23 and 65.  Its pretty 50/50 with regards to gender and our homes range from every part of the country possible.  Although there were a surprising number of people from green bay/milwaukee  (go pack go!).  My boyfriend also ...

So first post during my last night in the good ol US of A.  First off I am shocked that everything I laid out actually FIT into my suitcases.  I put out a lot of luxury items that I thought were not going to make the cut (sheets, a real towel, extra bug spray).  But I feel ready to go.  Nervous and sad.  But ready.    As for my last weekend it consisted of massive amounts of amazing food, great company, mimosas, brunch, way too many desserts, and some hectic packing.  Tomorrow I fly into Philly where I can (hopefully) meet with LAB for an hour or two.  After a long day of orientation with fellow PCVs we depart for JFK in NYC at 1:30 am.  I think Ill just stay awake and sleep on my massive plane ride and hopefully get ahead of jet lag. Once arriving in Zambia/Lusaka my schedule is immediately taken up by training, a camping adventure to meet current volunteers, and language studies.  Ill try to keep in touch as much...