May 2012
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Heat, dust, perspective, and more heat and dust.
May 21
Kitwe is known as the Copperbelt of Zambia. There are no sidewalks and roads are in very bad shape. They are so deteriorated cars drive super slow while swerving to avoid holes. Everywhere you walk is dusty. All my shoes are the same color as the dirt. Today we walked around from 12-3 which was the hottest (and dustiest?) part of the day. Those who know me know I’m only cranky when I’m hot, dirty or hungry. So I began to think about how the next 3 months would affect my mood. I then decided that if I wanted to enjoy every moment of this trip I needed change my FOCUS. Stop focusing on the the heat and start focusing on how lucky I am to be here.
Aww Pancake I can totally see that you're making a difference already just by looking at their smiles. Bonus points for you dude ^^ Your students are so lovely! BTW I'm wearing my Ji Sung Park shirt today 'cause it's Sports Day at my school (the one we wore when we were watching the world cup in Seoul). Miss you bro. Fighting!
Thanks, Angel!!!!
When are u leaving for Safari? Please send us pictures & don't touch baby tiger & lion. Mom/Dad
I leave on Thursday! I will take lots of pictures. No promises for touching the animals though. :)
Miss you/ love you!
BITCH!!! IS IT COOLIN IF I USE YOUR WEBSITE ON MY INSTAGRAM CHANNEL. IF YOURE AGAINST IT. THEN HOLLER. BUT SINCE YOU DONT HAVE IT. BUT YOU SHOULD GET IT. IM JUST GONE WAIT TILL YOU GET IT. PEACES
Please do!!!! Share it with every one!! Btw! My name is not bitch.
GONE MISS YOU BRO. IM NO MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER. BUT YOU ALREADY SUCCESSFUL IN MY BOOKS BRO. LOVE YOU MAN. DONT DIE BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO TELL ME THINGS!! HAVE FUN MAN
Thanks bro. I really appreciate it. seriously. Miss you too man. I hope you’re killing it there!!!
Holler!!!!
Kitwe, my new home.
The language spoken here is called Bemba. It kind of sounds like Russel Peters when he says “Why don’t you heet heem.” I actually have been trying to mimic the accent so I can be more understandable when teaching.
The weather? Amazing. It’s similar to a hot summer day in Vancouver. The best part: no humidity! I have to be at school at around 7am and it takes about 40 minutes to walk there. The morning walks are pretty chilly but it’s an awesome way to wake me up before work. I teach at the Racecourse school for orphans and vulnerable children. All the teachers and students are soooo nice and awesome (more about it later).
The food: still awesome. The staple food is nshima, it’s a corn meal thing eaten with everything (like rice to Filipinos). It doesn’t really taste like anything and it has the consistency of dry mash potatoes, but I love it!
The people: super friendly and warm. I love walking to work or just around our compound and being greeted by everyone. On occasion people randomly come up and sit with me when I’m journalling and say “I want for you to be my friend.”
PS. Im white. Everyone who isn’t black here is called a “Muzungu” which translates to white person in Bemba. It’s kind of funny walking by classrooms and the kids yelling “muzungu, muzungu!!”
4 days of travel
Day 1-2: Seattle to Dubai. (15 hours)
I usually don’t get excited for trips until I’m on the plane because when I’m in my seat I know that everything is beyond my control and all I can do is sit back and relax. I never knew Emirate airlines existed but after their selection of Modern family I’ll never forget them! We landed at night and it was so hot and humid. If I could sum up Dubai in one word it would be EXTRAVAGANT. Everything is so big and fancy… A little too big and fancy ;).
Day 3: Dubai to Lusaka, Zambia. (7 hours)
It was the very first time I actually felt as though we weren’t home. I kept saying “Everybody I have an announcement, we’re in Africa!” Then I fist bumped the ground to make it official.
Day 4: Lusaka to Kitwe. (6 hours bus).
Kitwe a city made up of compounds and a downtown. Compounds are like giant gated communities that include small shops, schools and homes.
