FIRST POSTCARD FROM NICOLE

Well I've arrived safely in Lusaka, Zambia!  While the flight from JFK to Johannesburg was rather long, it wasn't bad.  Got a few meals, watched some movies, and snagged some sleep.  Everything is so green as it's the middle of rainy season.  Was surprised to see women already selling ears of corn!  Am excited to learn Zambian cropping practices!  So far I've seen ant,cockroach, and beetle friends.  Glad to of avoided the mosquito friends though.  Hopefully you received the email with the attached picture.  It was taken at the airport after we cleared customs (Yay, made it!)  Luckily it's not too hot yet although it feels slightly muggy.  Nothing compared to the Midwest though. (thank goodness).  Hopefully will get into a routine soon.  Sunday we're doing site visits where we go stay with a current volunteer in their village for a few days.

This postcard was sent from Zambia on Feb 15 and received in the US the first of March.  Nicole is now staying with her Host Family and living in a hut.  She will be learning Tonga language and stationed in the Southern Providence.

MY ARRIVAL

Welcome to Zambia!

Made it to the beautiful Zambia!  Wish I could post the photo that PC took when we arrived at the airport but that's not likely to happen, sorry!  The PC staff has been keeping us all very busy with information overload and medical stuff.  On Sunday we go for our first site visits!  This is to give us a better idea of what life in rural Zambia is like and help us determine if being a volunteer is the right fit for us.  I'm surprised to actually have internet access so soon, but that may change as we head out to our villages to stay with host families during training.  Gotta go before all of the volunteers decide to check their emails for the night.

Nicole has arrived in Zambia on Feb 13, 2013 and will be staying at a Motel in Lusaka for the next few days.  I am sure she will be very busy for awhile but as soon as I receive a letter will post.

Teaching Mom to Blog!

Mom is learning how to blog in case I don't have internet access she can still update everyone.  This should be interesting.  Cheers!

Departure & LIFE

It's getting closer and closer to departure time!  Finally received staging details.  I'll be meeting up with the other Zambia Peace Corps volunteers in Philadelphia on February 11th, 2013 and departing from JFK on February 12th, 2013.

Thought maybe some of you would be interested in the LIFE Project.  Late last week the LIFE volunteers had a conference call with the staff and a few current PC volunteers in Zambia.  It seems like volunteers have a lot of opportunities to work on or with projects that really interest them as well as the main project.  Each volunteer has a unique experience that can be drastically different from volunteers even in nearby villages.  As  any RPCV will tell you, your PC experience is what you make it.  So, if you are motivated, there are many many opportunities and projects to work on/with.  Here's a link to a description of the LIFE Project.

http://zambia.usembassy.gov/zambia/life.html