It''s Official

So swear in was last Friday, May 6th which means so long Trainee and hello Volunteer status. These past few weeks have been super busy the end of training. First we had a language proficiency test that we had to to pass in order to be posted. All of our intake passed. And now that I think about it I believe we are the first intake to have not had anyone go home during training. After the language test we then had a technical test and made a trip to the immigration office to get our work permits. I'm officially a resident of Zambia. Then, we had cultural day on Wednesday the 27th where we made a bunch of American style food-like burgers, guacamole, salsa, mashed potatoes, pasta salad, fruit salad, jello, dirt pudding, etc- for out host families. We all got dressed up in our chitenge dresses and shirts, had a few speeches in local language, did some singing and dancing, and received gifts from our host parents. It all went really smoothly. Afterward we were bused to Lusaka for a few nights for Swear In. The ceremony took place at the American Ambassadors house-it had a pool. There we had a bunch more speeches made by guests, some more local language speeches, more singing and dancing, and took the oath to become an United States Peace Corps Volunteer. It was a great day followed by a great night of boxed wine and more dancing. It was fun to celebrate all of us together for one last time because the next day we all loaded up separate cruisers and went to our Provinces. There are 7 of us that went to Central Province, where we stayed at the Provincial House for a couple nights. Well the other 6 did, I'm still at the house until Thursday. I'm the only Serenje volunteer and with all of them being Mukushi protocol is to just get as many people out of the house and in their village as fast as possible. So, I'm just hanging around basking in the glory of electricity and internet until they are all posted. I'm so ready to get to my village but it was nice to be able to just go shopping for me rather than 6 other people too. Another PCV took me today to the market and helped me buy everything I would need. Or at least what we could think of. I actually ran out of money. But I bought a lot knowing this will be the only time I have a cruiser as transport to my site. So why not stock up. I have also stocked up on a bunch of books from the house's library. I have three months of community entry where I am not allowed to leave my district or my village all that much, nor am I allowed to do any serious work so that means a bunch of reading will be going down. Honestly, I'm ready for some down time to just work on my garden and my hut and Relax!

2 Days Until Staging

So, I just had my last going away party last night at home and it definitely is hitting me that I most likely won't see everyone again until May 7, 2013. But right now I'm too excited to dwell on that part. I'll have plenty of time to do that in Africa. To those of you reading who were able to make it thanks so much for your support! We definitely had a packed house. Anyways, I'm going to try and post on here as much as I can and I posted a link to my Picasa account for any pictures I can somehow upload, if any. I'm told the first three months of training are going to be very hectic since I have so much to learn in such a short amount of time. And, not to expect a lot of free time or to have access to the internet for that matter. So that means everyone should be writing me letters. I know, I know- actually handwriting/typing a letter and mailing it is so tedious and old fashioned compared to how most of us communicate, but it's the best way to reach me for the next two years. Plus, maybe I can use them to decorate my fabulous mud brick hut. I wont know until I get there how reliable the mail system is but other volunteers in Zambia have said they have received letters/packages in little as 2 weeks to as much as 2 months. So they suggest to start writing and mailing now, so that when I get there I can shortly start getting mail. Any sort of mail is going to be greatly appreciated. Remember you guys will be my only form of American culture and entertainment for the next 27 months. No detail is too small or too stupid. lol They also suggest to draw crosses or write religious sayings on them to help deter theft. Here's my address for the first 3 months of training. After that I'll post my permanent address.
-------Krista Rose/PCT     Peace Corps   P.O. Box 50707   Lusaka, Zambia-----
Well, I'm off to by some last minute things and pack! Then I'm off to Philadelphia for staging/orientation...and next, Zambia!