Here I Am

I sit here in the mid-morning coolness on a flat rock among rows of freshly turned soil.  The sun has yet to escape from behind the thick blanket of bright white clouds over head.

Looking ahead I find many trees overtaking the top of the next hill as fields of grass and maize make their home on the slopes.  In the valley just below me, all the gardens together create a lush green alley that leads to the blue of water that is the local dam.

All around me, near and far, I watch the teams of oxen pulling plows through the Zambian soil.  The hillsides farthest away showcase tiny moving dots that indicate others planting.  The land has been moistened by the recent showers and the pale brown ground is turned over revealing rich red clay earth.

The crack of whips ring in the air as the men handling the plows encourage their animals onward.  The smack of a thick tree branch on an ox's hindquarters rarely goes unnoticed by me.

Some families have a walker in front of the cattle to guide them across the field while the women walk behind dropping seeds and fertilizer into the furrows.  The oxen continue around and around the fields.

For every two or three passes of the plow, one row of maize is planted.  The women rest beside me on the rocks as they wait for the plow to make the rounds.  I notice the women's hands are colored red or green from the coatings on the seeds.

Sometimes above the cracks, snaps, whistles, or shouts, men and women singing can be heard.  Some men don hats to protect their eyes from the sun.  Luckily this morning is bright, yet remains cool and comfortable.

Seated here amongst the planting activity all around, and the amazing green scenery that the recent rains have produced, I realize again just exactly where I am.

Here in Zambia, in rural Zambia, is where I am.  Its not a different world, but truly very different from other places scattered across our earth.  I have been to many areas of this world and today I am very happy to be here!

The Rains Are Coming! The Rains Are Coming!

Southern Province is one of the last places in Zambia where the rains start.  Back in September the rains had already begun in Northwest Province.  Here they have yet to officially begin.  Amazing how such a small country can have such varying climates within.

As Zambia is a country with a rainy and dry season - the rainy season is the main growing season like our summers in the States.

With the planting time just around the corner, farmers are beginning to prepare.  Many meetings are being held in order to secure fertilizer and seed.  Because of some changes last year here in Zambia, some farmers have yet to be paid for their maize sold in August.  Without being paid, some farmers cannot buy seed.

Fertilizer is highly subsidized, so cooperatives and other associations are diligently working in order to ensure that their fertilizer arrives before or with the rain.  Without fertilizer the farmers cannot plant.

Not only are the inputs important, but the fields need to be ready.  Some villagers are able to use a tractor and rip the land.  Others use ox and plow to turn the soil.  And even still some will use a hoe and break ground by hand.

When the rains truly start, it will be every person in the field.  Men and women alike will maneuver the plow across the land or walk and drop seed and fertilizer into the ground by hand.

The village will be bustling with activity to ensure the maize, ground nuts, potatoes, sunflowers and other crops are healthy and growing well by Christmas.

Planting and other field work will be done so differently then in the States.  I'm looking forward to the rains as well as the green landscape which will follow!  It'll be an exciting time and learning experience for sure!

Life's Many Paths

It doesn't happen everyday, but every now and then I wonder what I would be doing in the States or elsewhere if I wasn't a Peace Corps Volunteer.

Would I be at home feeding all the beautiful Jersey calves  Would I be abroad in Austria visiting all the wonderful friends there and around Europe? Would I be back in Texas again at Panera, working as a Pedi-cab in Austin, or spending my days working on any of the large dairy operations near Dalhart?

Maybe I would be have actually followed my sisters to Madison and found a random job like I often do.  I have fantastic friends in Chicago who just welcomed their first-born child.  I know helping them care for him would be so super, fun and the time of my life.

Or, maybe, I would be thinking about what I could be doing and start the application process to become a Peace Corps Volunteer.

There are countless other opportunities in the world - but right now I find myself in Zambia.  I could be happy doing something different, but right now taking one day at a time, experiencing all that Africa has to offer is where I choose to be.

I have made numerous friends, many whom I know will continue to be close and dear to me even after my service here.  I am learning a new language and trying everyday to communicate effectively in Tonga!

I have always loved traveling, seeing other places, and meeting new people.  I also love agriculture.  All of this and more I find here in Zambia.

What are your favorite things to do?  Where do you want to go?  If you were doing something else, what would it be?

Maybe you also love to travel and are off on a new adventure to Hawaii.  Perhaps you are super happy in Fort Worth, TX and excited about your upcoming wedding.  Suppose you're enjoying days filled with cows or youth or both.  Or really, you are trying to get through the next day of classes, as sometimes its quite difficult.

Its amazing how different we all are and how we all find ourselves in various situations and circumstances of life.

I just hope and wish you all well wherever you are or whatever stage of life you are in.

One day at a time - its all any of us can really ever do!

Don't hesitate to send a text, email or letter!  Love hearing from you all!  And please feel free to comment or let me know what you all want to hear about my life here in Zambia!  I try to mix it up, but not always sure what to share!

Thanks for reading!