You know you're a PCV in Zambia when...

Here's a list I've been working on in my hut from time to time...enjoy!

You Know You're a Peace Corps Volunteer in Zambia when...

1) You don't think twice about going potty in a plastic bag at night to avoid leaving your hut.

2) 30km is considered a 'pretty short' distance.

3) You hoard plastic Shoprite bags for their superior 'quality' in the world of plastic bags. a.k.a. you've become a crazy bag lady.

4) You have to resist the temptation to interior decorate with doilies.

5) You will drink and enjoy anything that is cold.

6) You refer to any home with bars on the windows as 'very fancy'. Glass windows are just way out of your league.

7) If your lap is empty on transport, there is always room for more people.

8) You immediately lose your ability to estimate distances, and waving your hand toward a certain place is considered giving directions.

9) You will go days without bathing because you honestly consider wet wipes to be a healthy alternative.

10) The word 'odi' makes you cringe. (Zambians say this before they enter your house...I guess it's equivalent to knocking on your door? Yet they tend to yell it loudly at 5:00 a.m. while also pounding on your door or even your window. The worst part is there is no Bemba word to tell them not to enter.)

11) If a problem arises, your first reaction is a single big long sigh.

12) You secretly enjoy some ZamPop. (Zambian pop music...tends to be pretty tragic)

13) Your menstrual cycle coincides with the moon cycles.

14) Spiders are no longer the enemy, but your trusted ally in the constant battle against bugs.

15) You carry toilet paper on you wherever you go.

on a related note...

16) You've had to wipe with Zambian Kwacha sans T.P. on more than one occasion.

17) You enjoy eating Nshima (cornmeal, staple Zambian food) and even crave it and order it at restaurants.

18) You've become used to being sexually harrassed on a daily basis.

19) Basically you have no shame. You can never act more crazy than Zambians already think you are. :)

20) You may or may not have multiple W.A.D.'s (Wierd African Disease the actual medical classification for unexplained diseases picked up in Africa)



I'm sure there will be many more to add in year 2 of my service...I'll try to keep updating. :)

That's all I've got for now...much luv to you all from zambia! Take care and happy easter!

katie