30 January 2010

Culture Shock


Living in the middle of the bush can feel remote at times, but I didn't truly realize how 'out there' I was until January 15th. As I was on my way into town (and coming into cell phone range) for a Peace Corps conference, I received a flood of text messages telling me that my sister-in-law, Jillian was trapped in her collapsed mission house and that my brother, Frank, was frantically trying to dig her out.
I was completely unaware of any natural disaster, let alone one in Port-au-Prince. I immediately called home, hearing about the news. Never did I think I would be coming back to America during my Peace Corps service in Zambia, but if Zambians have taught me anything it's that you're nothing without your family. Maybe this was supposed to bring our family together? Maybe...maybe...maybe...So many things run through your mind when you realize that life is precious-and every second counts.
So I flew home! To cold weather, choices at the grocery store, TOILETS, HDtv, cereal, cars, Avatar in 3D...you name it. I knew it was going to be difficult when I had a layover in Johannesburg and had to take deep breaths from crying...due to variety, and that's still Africa!
Being with family is always nice when things like this happen. We laughed, we cried, we flew play helicopters, we ATE, we sat in DC traffic, we went to the DMV, we went bowling, we ate pizza while drinking Bud Light. It was most definitely 'American,' if you will. We even had time to grow these:

So being completely busy with family and friends, my 8 days in America flew by so quickly that it seems like just a glimpse--and of course, what's a good trip State-side in mid-January without frozen vapor falling from the sky?

Disclaimer: East Carolina University is better than West Virginia University.

So I leave for Zambia this afternoon, and I promise to try to update my blog more due to massive amounts of complaints (mom). Stay warm America!!!!

If you are interested in reading about Frank and Jillian's story, check out http://www.haitianheros.org/

-b

26 January 2010

OBAMA CAME TO MY VILLAGE!!!!!


Okay...not the REAL Obama...but I made this mask and the kids in my village love it.
This video is a perfect example of why NOT to give the kids in your village tons of sweets and pineapple before you whip out the Obama mask...

We've graduated!

From chalk to markers! Next up? Finger paints...

Bike Ride Photos

I've started to take long bike rides in the morning in hopes of exploring more of the Luapula landscape...and sometimes I find interesting things along the way:
Sadly, every time I bike past this shop it's never open....


Yes, this is a mushroom.
No, this is not a giraffe. It is a rock.
Cow crossing?

The View


The various views from my home...
The rainbow is leading to my pit latrine!
The wind's a howlin' and a storm's a brewin...it rained all night and all of the next day
Sunset behind my clinic


The wildlife of AFRICAAAAAAAA


Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!!! Well, not quite. Although I do see a lot of cool looking spiders, farm animals, snakes, and bugs...

Food chain in action: wall spider eating moth
Moth...pre-lunch for wall spider. kidding.

Pig outside a friend's house. It just likes to run back and forth taunting us. Good thing I don't eat pork!
The STORK at Samfya beach!!!!

Grasshopper wing


Beetles are fun(!) when they're pretty...

and even more fun(!!) when they're pre-historically-scary. Yikes!!! (of course I'm in the background telling someone to touch it...)



Super Mario World large


The snake, pictured dead, that was residing in my bathing shelter. After my neighbor killed it he said about the snake, "oh, it just wanted to watch you bathe."