Zikomo

Not much to report today. The rains make it difficult to get anything done. This is a busy time for farmers in their fields so fish farming is a distant thought for them and me. To the shock of my village I am not keeping a field this year (and probably not next year). It does not appeal to me like I thought it would. A small garden in my yard will be fine for next year.

My village is a ghost town every morning and even some afternoons. I usually hang out with the kids and that is always entertaining (pictures attached). The other day I watched a boy of about 7 or 8 shoot a bird out of my tree with a sling shot. The bird was no bigger than my palm. He took it home to eat it.

Before I went to Tanzania, I had to do something I would never thought I could or would have to do - kill mice. I wasn't sure how many were living in my roof but they left evidence of their existence in my clothes. It's funny, most mice eat your food but mine preferred to poop all over my clothes. I preferred they poop on my clothes as opposed to eat my food! They would keep me awake at night and I would even see them as they climbed my mosquito net or ran around. I had a trap and repeatedly set it. They were smart enough (and agile enough) to get the bait without setting off the trap. So I had an unknown number of very intelligent mice. Oh yeah, and a cat who could care less. (To Ansel's credit, the mice were in the house only at night after he went out!) I got some advice from a fellow volunteer who has dealt with a similar problem and reset the trap as he suggested. The trap went off! I jumped out of bed only to find the trap empty. I reset the trap and went back to bed. Not 2 minutes later it went off again. I didn't get my hopes up and again the trap was empty. As I started back to bed a small mouse came hobbling out from under the shelf. I did the only thing I could humanely do - beat him to death with a shoe. (It's amazing how little respect you have for anything, including life, when you get 2 hours of sleep every night for a week.) Case closed, right? WRONG! There was more. I broke down and bought poison. I had avoided it b/c of Ansel but I was tired of dealing with this. I mixed the poison with peanut butter and kapenta and the first night I killed 2 mice! The first one did his death march on my mosquito net next to my head! In the morning I threw both mice in my latrine. No more mice have been back.

Other than the mice and the night I battled a monsson in my house everything has been fine. I had an infection on my ankle - gross! but it finally healed. My village Dad made me a door for my latrine - it's really nice. I'm teaching again. I have 80 students and it's going well. I've scheduled a hand washing workshop for Friday. A friend sent me hotel soap (for anyone who travels - keep the soap and send it to me) so I will be showing how to properly wash before eating. Most Zambians dip their hands in a shallow bucket and Peace Corps encourages pouring water over each others hands so the water is always fresh for each person.

I'm back in town to see friends and do some shopping. Also to wear black and drink wine all in the name of Valentines Day.

Zikomo (thank you) to everyone who has sent letters, cards, and packages. I would write everyone back if I had the money. Stamps are expensive on a Peace Corps budget - forgive me. I will try to email more though to show my appreciation. It's also been great to talk to some friends on the phone. How is running going for everyone? I'm slacking lately but I often day dream about running in town or at the Dunes. From the sounds of it I missed a great Tecumseh - no fear, I will be back to do it again - 2008! KZ - got your letter, a reply is on the way - are you wearing black today?! Jill thanks for posting - sorry about the weather. Chuck and Annette - thank you for the card. Grandma and Grandpa B - I got your package. Brooke - congrats! Everyone - Happy Valentines. Best!

Back in the Saddle Again

Where have I been? Is that what you are wondering? I'm alive and well and just celebrated my 8 month anniversary of leaving Indiana! Hard to believe, huh?

Quick recap of vacation (see Julie's site for a more complete story): Tazanzia was beautiful and the company was great. We spent Christmas Eve in Dar es Saalam and New Year's in Arusha. We went on safari in the Ngorongoro Crater. It was a volcano that collapsed over 2000 years ago and is now inhabited by the most amazing wildlife. We were dangerously close to lions and other animals I had only ever seen in a zoo.

After returning to Zambia I spent some time visiting friends in Northern Prov. and hanging out in Lusaka. I eventually made it back to the village and have been suffering through the rains.

I hate the rainy season! I have a leaky roof (now fixed) and a mud pit of a yard. It's really not as bad as it sounds and I don't mind that much.

The rain prevents alot of work from happening so I have not been doing much. I will start teaching this week at the school. I'm planning a hand washing and hygiene workshop and a girls empowerment workshop. The rains will be slowing soon and then I can get down to business.

So in my village I'm Christine or Christinie or Christina. My baby brother in the village can't say Christinie so I'm Teeny! It's really cute! I have hired some help. It's my neighbor dad. He helps with my yard and home improvements. He's building me a new door for my latrine right now. Next will be planting a live fence.

Next time I post I will write it out before so I can put some thought into it! Before I go here's the last of my news for those that have not heard: I'm coming home for Christmas 2007! Hope to see as many people as I can!