From Here to Eternity

Hi!

Okay, so this is the first update on a real computer, so I'll try and make it somewhat descriptive. Today marks the start of the final week of training at Calambana. We will swear in as official Peace Corps Volunteers this Friday at 10:00am in Lusaka. We have our final language test on Tuesday, cultural day with our home-stay families Wednesday, Thursday we pack up all out gear and say our good-byes to the Zam-Fams and head off the ISTT in Lusaka. Saturday, bright and early our whole intake class will say our goodbyes, repay debts, and head off to our respective provinces where we will start 3 months of community entry. Community entry is the time when we cannot leave our districts, at all. We cannot go to the provincial house or Lusaka, unless its an emergency. Such as it is, these next few months will be very intermittent in my communication on this blog. Sorry in advance. It would be super sweet to get some packages or mail because I won't really have any connection with America or even my fellow volunteers until Christmas.

Hunter Shaffer, PCV
PO Box 110264
Solwezi, Zambia
Africa

That address is where you should send me packages if you feel so inclined.
Wish lists of things, good shampoo, high quality tooth paste, anti-perspirant, sweet America snacks, barbecue sauce, good pens, compass, map of America, a sea creature book (no one in my village knows what a whale is and are blown away at the fact that they are bigger than an elephant) mach 3 razor blades, magazines, news papers, tab books from bands I like, strings, picks, a buck knife, sling shot, pictures of you and from home, and anything else that's common in America that I can't get here, be creative.

Hunter Shaffer, PCV
PO Box 160073
Mwinilunga, Zambia
Africa

That is the place to mail all the letters to. You can try packages but the other is a safer bet.

Today, myself and 5 other volunteers hitched into Lusaka from Chongwe for free, (Woot). We got our first hitch with a Chinese construction firm and the second with a Zambian security company. Pretty awesome. The goal will be not to pay anything on the way back because its obviously been made a competition.

So, what else has been happening... The weeks really do melt away here. Everything has been very fast/busy since we returned from 2nd site visit. Lots of learning and hanging out with all the new friends that will soon be scattered throughout the country, some several days travel from my site.

I guess I'll explain a little more about my site. First, its about 6 hours northwest of the provincial capital of Solewezi. After that 6 hour ride, you arrive at Mwinilunga, home of the Lunda people, amazing honey, pineapples, and mangos. To get to Mwinilunga one must cross the mighty Lunga river on the south side of the town. Yes, there are crocodiles in the river and yes, they are known to eat children from time to time. People in my village told me that they aren't really crocodiles but witches, who knows. After you cross the rive you come into the sleepy town of Mwinilunga. It's hard to explain but its clean, there is a large open air market, not many cars, its nice. So, you'd keep going north out of the BOMA until the road runs out of pavement and turns to sand. I live 10k to the west, down a little bush path, barely large enough for a cruiser. About 8k into the path you would need to cross a really, really scary bridge, it's honestly held together with sticks from trees. They village really wants me to fix it fast because no one will come if there is no bridge. I doubt it will make it through another rainy season. Beyond the bridge you would need to climb out of the rather deep ravine onto the steppe, where you will find me. My house turn is marked my massive evergreens and a brick making oven system. My little hut has 3 tiny mango tree in the front and 4 banana trees. My bathing shelter is on the side of the house need to the bananas. It's made completely of thatch. Past my bathing shelter is a ancient bush path then 20 foot living fence plants, an abandoned brick making oven, and my Chimbushi (toilet), which is witch nice and private. My chota (gazebo type thing) should be done by the time I arrive, that's where I will hold meetings/entertain.

My village wants me to finish there half complete clinic, fix the bridge, build a few dams, help with building tons of fish ponds, teach at the middle/highs school, start COOPs, improve farming, improve animal husbandry, start womens groups, HIV and AIDs education, and the list goes on. I got a real full plate. I'm really exited and can't wait to get to work and hit the bush paths.

Like always, I miss you all. Send pictures with the letters I always respond to them but you will only get cool African stuff if I get a letter from you first. Yeah, it's kinda mean but you're being mean not sending me love :D . I guess thats about it for now. Hope all is well stateside, I got facebook working on my phone/email/these comments on the blog. I read them all. Keep me posted on your lives and any crazy stuff that happens.

Mad Love