Final destination

This is written by Lisa's mom since there is no internet in her town. I told Lisa that I would update her blog and let you know how she and Russ are doing. PRIMITIVE conditions! They have moved to a small town to teach in the local school. Their house has no running water. But a neighbor close by has water and they carry 5 gallon buckets on their heads (like the natives) [or by arms in our heads get sore!]to their house. I just got off the phone with them and they are busy doing laundry with a bar of soap and bucket of water. They need to boil all their drinking water and got their stove hooked up to electricity shortly after they arrived. They have no refrig but can purchase one if they need. They bought a coil to heat up their bath water (bucket) and that was a treat. The house needs a lot of cleaning and roach extermination so that is keeping them busy until the school year resumes in early January. There are about 5 fellow PC "nearby" meaning a 3 hour busride away. So they will spend Christmas with these friends. They have NO contact with the outside world (maybe not such a bad thing, nowadays). They plan to buy a shortwave radio so at least they can get some news and music, etc. I have a International calling card and call them all the time The connection is excellent. They are very upbeat and cheerful everytime I talk to them. A couple of kids live next door and come to visit. They [try to] only speak Swahili. Before they left for their post, they celebrated Thanksgiving in the capital at the embassy. There was food (turkey, pumpkin pie, etc) and drink for about 200 peace corps people. Good to know our tax money was finally put to good use!!
Cissy (lisa's mom)