Transitions

September 22 (or September 23, depending on one's location) marks the autumnal equinox. This is one of  two times during the course of the year when the center of the sun is directly over the equator, and the amount of daylight and darkness is theoretically equal around the globe on that date. For those in the Northern Hemisphere, fall officially begins, as does the transition to darkness exceeding daylight. Conversely, for those in the Southern Hemisphere, spring starts, along with the transition to daylight exceeding darkness.

With departure from California for Zambia to work as a volunteer through CUSO-VSO now just around the corner, a major personal transition is in the offing as well. Besides flipping hemispheres, just a few of the variables that will change dramatically include living arrangements, work environment, daily activity patterns and social interactions. Part of what prompted these musings is the realization that if all goes according to plan, I'll miss winter entirely while on the placement in Zambia. Granted, winter in San Diego is hardly noticeable, but altogether, these transitions are rather daunting and exciting at the same time. In any event, please enjoy the commencement of autumn, or the dawn of spring, as the case may be, and the days and evenings ahead!

Back to the Future




Victoria Falls, 2000


In early January 2000, I had the good fortune to cap off a memorable visit to southern Africa with a stop at the spectacular Victoria Falls for a couple of days. Though staying on the Zimbabwe side of the Zambezi River, walking over the bridge into Zambia was a relatively easy matter. Thus moved by curiosity and a whim, I was able to spend a few hours in the Republic of Zambia, gain a different perspective of the river and falls, and enjoy a very brief taste of another country.

Little did I suspect that more than a decade later, life’s course would include a return to Zambia, this time as a volunteer through CUSO-VSO. CUSO-VSO is a non-profit organization that sends skilled professionals to share their knowledge and experience with people trying to improve their lives and build better futures for their communities in more than 40 countries around the globe.



Entering Zambia, 2000


Beginning in October 2010, I will be working as a Town Planner with the Petauke District Council, the local governing body for a portion of Zambia’s Eastern Province. Petauke is a town of about 20,000 located some 400 kilometers east of Lusaka, Zambia’s capital and largest city. The Petauke District provides public services to an area with a population reported to exceed 200,000. I will share my training and experience as a Planner with the District Council to assist preparation of a locally generated Integrated Development Plan. The process aims to integrate economic, public service and land use planning efforts, with active participation by those affected.



Welcome to Zambia, 2000

This site is intended to provide a personal record of the experience ahead, and a means of sharing thoughts and ideas. So again, thanks for visiting. Please feel free to pose questions or make comments.

Even the Longest Journey Starts with a First Step...

After prodigious procrastination and a fumbling first foray, I'm attempting to join the blogging world. Patience please, with someone accustomed to written communication through pen and paper, and for whom a "dashboard " is what's below a vehicle's windshield, a "friend" is an animate being, and "twitter" is irritating chirping (come to think of it, maybe I'm still current on that one). So, here is the initial post and test run to embark on this mode of communication. It can only get better, right?