Crocs, and Hippos, and Elephants--Oh My!

I know I'm woefully behind on my blog posts...now that I *finally* have reliable (and decently fast) internet (and I'm paying for it, believe me), my plan is to stay up-to-date, meanwhile catching up on the last month here in Zambia.

Anyway, this weekend was a mile-marker because I left Lusaka for the first time since arrival (my jaunt to SugarBush Farm--more later--certainly doesn't count).  Anyway, a camping trip to Kiambi, on the Lower Zambezi was organized by the social committee (of which I'm now a part) and I was one of the first to sign up.  Obviously.

As The Wizard (my "rig") is out of commission, Gina and I rode with Jeff and Susan.  It was only about 120 kms, but because of the roads, it took us about 3:30 to get there.  There were about 20 folks from school (including spouses and kids) who made the trip and it was amazing.  The highlight was the 3 hour canoe ride eight of us opted to go on yesterday.  We went upstream in a motor boat and then paddled back down to our campground (which was also a pretty swanky lodge, if you wanted to shell out the big bucks--camping was only $8 per person per night--quite the deal!) in big, 3-seater canoes.  Absolutely amazing (and a bit disconcerting being that close to "big game."  The Crocs scared me more than the hippos (though I know that hippos cause much more damage), and there are no words to describe being that close to an elephant in the wild (I'd say, at the closest, we were 50 feet away).

Below are some of the best photos of the weekend.

I've Arrived (well, awhile ago, but internet is limited)

So sorry for the delay in posting!  I've been here in Lusaka for about three weeks now and have just been so busy (and have very limited Internet access--at school only, as of now), that I haven't had time to post.  I'll cover the highlights here and then post more detailed posts later (travel with Ruby-dog, Lusaka orientation, school--The American International School of Lusaka, life in general, etc.).  But, for now, here's the Reader's Digest Version:

Ruby-dog and I made it here uneventfully.  I was (and am) actually so surprised at what a good travellin' dog she is.  As she is my Emotional Support Animal, she was able to sit in my lap the whole way.  I also sat in bulkhead the whole trip, and her carrier fit nicely between my feet.  More on that later....

We arrived on Wednesday, Aug. 3 and were met at the airport by the Director of AISL, Chris.  After collecting *all* of my luggage (apparently, that is rare), we breezed through customs.  Chris dropped me at my house and said he'd be back to collect me for dinner shortly.  Although I was completely exhausted, I managed to stay up for a few hours and have dinner with Chris (Director), Jim (my new Principal), and some other new hires at Kilimanjaro Café.

The next few days were packed with Lusaka orientation, get-to-know each other, and an awesome excursion to a game park which was about an hour from town.

New-teacher orientation began at AISL on Tuesday and that week (Aug 8-12) was full of iPad training.  AISL is the first (and only) school in Africa to adopt a one-to-one iPad program for 6th and 10th graders, so we spent two days in intense iPad training.  I learned a ton, but have barely begun to scratch the surface on the possibilities that will enhance my classroom with the iPad.  So many cool things!!!

Because of so many meetings and trainings, I only had one day to set up my classroom, which is tiny.  Space here is at a premium and the school had a good idea (really) to set up smaller language classes.  So, they took one regular-sized classroom and put up a dividing wall to create two classes, each which would have much smaller classes, which is ideal for language learning.  However, because the school has gotten big, I now have 17 kids in two of my classes (which, in the States, would be a dream).  However, the largest class in the entire school is 22 students in a regular, full-size, class and I'm struggling to cram 17 10th and 12th graders in a classroom designed for 11-13 kids.  Plus, my classes are very active--my kids are always up and moving around, so it simply isn't working out.  The other big bummer is that because they divided the classroom, I have 1/2 the windows...actually less because the windows that face south are smaller than the windows that face north and I'm in the south-facing room.  To top it off, about 1/3 of my windows are covered by the 6th graders lockers, so I'm pretty bummed.

Other than the classroom situation, however, AISL is amazing!  Great facilities, supportive staff and administration, LOVELY students.  It's just great!  I can see how people get into the world of international teaching and never leave--there are major perks.  I'm teaching MYP (Middle Years Programme) Spanish levels 8, 9, and 10 and IB (International Baccalaureate) 11 and 12 ab Initio (basically beginning Spanish for kids who already speak two, three, four, or five other languages).

The schedule is pretty confusing, but there are 7 periods per day and I teach 4 (so I have three 45 minute preps every day which is amazing!).  I'm also co-coaching volleyball and just found out that we have a big tournament in Johannesburg in October!  So cool!

Anyway, signing off for now, but will post detailed posts about the above briefly mentioned, things soon.  Including pictures.  Yay!

Zambian Logistics

Moving anywhere is a hassle, a drag, a big ole' pain in the ass.  Moving to Zambia is a whole 'nother story!  Below have been some of the biggest concerns/challenges I've encountered in preparation for the move.

DOG(S):
The logistics of what to do with Ruby and Gus were obviously the most pressing on my mind (see ESA Ruby and Goodbye Gus posts for more on that).   

Dog logistics: Check.

MY HOUSE:
This has been, hands-down, the second most stressful part of the international move.  I (with the help of my folks) purchased my adorable house at the worst time ever, in May of 2008.  That was when I had my dream job, teaching Spanish at the alternative high school in Gresham, and was planning to live in Portland and teach at Springwater Trail for at least 10 years.  Then, the economy tanked (read: house value plummeted) and then the economy in Oregon really tanked (read: massive budget cuts and I lost my Spanish job).  Luckily, I scrambled and got a job for this past year, teaching 5th grade, which has really grown on me, but I will lose my job again at the end of June because of more budget cuts, thus the international teaching job.  Anyway, I love my house and I hope/plan to return to Portland someday, but neither selling it or renting it to some sketchy renters sounded promising.  Enter my friend, Jen, who is going to be going to midwifery school here for the next two years.  She is going to rent my house and I couldn't be happier. 

House Logistics: Check.


STUFF:
However, there have been a whole slew of things to deal with.  Luckily, my school, The American International School of Lusaka, has provided a very generous "package" so I do get a moving allowance there, and back, which apparently isn't guaranteed at some international schools.  Per my research, "stuff" in Zambia is fairly expensive and not readily available, so I'm hoping to bring certain things (like kitchen implements, camp gear, teaching resources, toiletry/medical things, bedding, etc.) with.  I priced out many international moving companies and got a quote from Mayflower Movers of just under $3,000 for up to 500 lbs. of stuff.  Pretty spendy, but they don't really do moves of anything under 500 lbs., so I guess that's what I'm going to have to opt for.  Plus, it's door-to-door delivery, including packing, so that should save me some stress and hassle come the end of June.

Also, I get two suitcases of up to 50 lbs on United/Ethiopian Airlines and they charge an additional $150/bag, so I think I'm going to check 3 big bags and my bike.  

In the "stuff" category, I've also realized that I have to buy "stuff" to last me for a year.  (And, by "stuff" I mean: shoes, Sonicare Toothbrush heads, toiletries and makeup that I'm fond of, feminine hygiene supplies, jeans, shoes, Ruby supplies, technology/camera batteries, medicines, and did I mention shoes?).

"Stuff" Logistics: Check.  I think--I guess we'll see when I get to Lusaka!

CAR/DRIVING:
Apparently, it is essential to have a car in Zambia.  Luckily, AISL provides an interest-free car loan to it's teachers (up to $10,000 USD).  After doing a TON of research, for a variety of reasons, I decided that it was best to buy a car from Japan and have it imported to Lusaka.

First, the cars in Zambia are pretty "rode hard and put up wet."  They get driven.  A lot.  On, oftentimes (especially if it's a 4wd, which I want) less-than-desirable road conditions.  I'd been regularly checking used cars in Lusaka websites and found that the majority of the 4wd's available for around $10k had a ton of kilometers.  (Like a 1992 Land Cruiser with 215,000 kms, needing tires and no working heat/air conditioning for $8,000 USD; and this is for sale by one of the teachers who is leaving the school, so I would assume someone pretty legitimate).

Anyway, I found that cars from Japan are regularly shipped/imported to Africa.  Now, there are a ton of logistical issues to deal with in the importation/shipping process, and it's a bit scary to make such a giant purchase, sight-unseen, on the internet.  But, I'm pleased to announce that I have purchased a car and he'll be shipped to me in Lusaka, ready for my pickup at the beginning of August.  Hopefully.

For you car folks, here's the specs on my new "rig":
1998 Isuzu Wizard
Diesel
83,000 kms (and they were Japanese kms, so probably a bit "softer" than African kms)

Wizard

Car Logistics: Check--I think.  Again, time will tell.  Otherwise, "TIA" I guess.

Now, I just need to learn to drive on the wrong side......