Language Training....Again....

Oh god. I think I am having PTSD from learning all of the French in Guinea. Now we are taking a shotgun 2 week course in Bemba. I really wish I didn't suck so much at languages. Well I am going to do a little, as Liz Roddick would say, heads down, power through. It looks like we will be doing aabout 8 hours of straight language everyday. I know you are all dying to get a little taste, so here it is:

A: Muapoleni Mukwai!    (greetings)
B: Endita Mukwai!  (greetings back)
A: Muashibukeni Mukwai (good waking up)
B: Endita Mukwai, Mwashibuka shani? (good waking up back. did you wake up well?)
A: Ndifye Bwino. Nga Imwe (yes, well. and you)
B: Panono Panono. (a little bit)

A: Ishina Lyenu nimwe ba nani? (what is your name?)
B: Ishina Lyandi nine _____, nga imwe? (my name is _____, and you?)
A: Ishina Lyandi nine _____. Shalenipo! (my name is _____. stay well!)
B: Kafikenipo! (go well!)

Fun huh? Pronounciation is rough, but structure seems do-able. We'll see.

So I heard some more info on my soon to be site. I will be place only 15 km away from the regional capital. That will be nice. it is far enough that I won't go all the time, and close enough that if I need anything I can bike in. Unfortunately I will be about 18hrs from the Capital capital.

My Province is apparently beautiful with lots of hills/mountains, and lots of streams and waterfalls. Also it seems like one of the few provinces that stays pretty green all year round. We are also bearing down on the rainy season, so it should be getting VERY green soon. Looks like there are some bugs and apparently lots of snakes. Judging by my track record with paying attention to my surruondings, I am calling that I will be the first volunteer to be bitten by a Black Mamba.

I should be having cell phone reception due to my close proximity to the "city".

I also heard that my community is very motivated and the last full volunteer there did tons of work. Lots of pressure, but I can't wait to try to live up to it.

Thats it for now. I am trying to post more often while I have internet!