Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated...

Dear Everyone,

I am sorry to have neglected you so long. I have not had access to a computer since the end of April-- so much has happened since then! I was officially sworn-in as a Peace Corps Volunteer on the 23rd; I wore a Zambian-made dress suit, white and brown with drums and drummers on it, and I gave a small speech in Bemba. It was sad saying good-bye to my host family, they have been so good to me, but I was also excited to embark on this next adventure. From there it was several days of intense shopping-- I've never bought so much in such a short period, not even while I was packing to come here! It was a real whirlwind experience, but I arrived safely in my village the last Tuesday in April.

Since then I have had various small adventures, like learning to light a charcoal brazier, or biking 20k to meet the chief (who was not at home, so I biked another 20k back...), or trying to cook banana bread on a brazier (should have greased the pot...whoops...), or tearing apart my mattress (with a butcher's knife...oh boy) to make it fit the bed (my predecessor tore apart the bed to make it fit the bedroom). Last week was my village's annual agricultural show, there were about 6 stands each displaying various crops (and various varieties of maize), except for the student stall, where the school HIV coordinator and I put out some HIV-education pamphlets. There was much drinking and dancing and merrymaking-- it was a great party! And it's banana season, so I stocked up. Yum.

I don't have cell phone service at my site-- I have to walk 1/2 an hour and cross an intimidating bridge over a roaring river to get it-- and the Boma (marketplace) is a 2-hour bike ride away, so I am quite isolated here. I like it, though-- it is very peaceful. Each night I sit with my neighbors around their fire and practice talking to them in Bemba. I have visited many people and farms and am getting to know my community very well. So far things are going great.

I am sorry this post is rather short-- internet is as expensive as it is rare here-- but I'd be happy to send you more details of my life here in Zambia! You can write me at my new Serenje address:

Elise Simons/PCV
PO Box 850010
Serenje, Zambia

Signing off for now-- Mushale bwino! (Remain well!)