Much to Erin's surprise, she was atop a mountain this afternoon and her cell phone worked. She sounded GREAT! We spoke briefly because her battery was about to quit...for the southerners, the battery was fixing to go dead. (She won't be able to recharge it - no electricity and very little sunshine for the solar charger.) Well, I'm quite thankful for this tremendous treat! Here's what she shared...
Her host family is nice. They are a large family; sixteen family members living in the home. The structure is four rooms. Now for those of y'all with NYC experience, y'all know that four rooms mean just that; not four bedrooms as some may think. The 16 people sleep in the four rooms - there are no bathrooms (no running water/no plumbing), no kitchens, no family rooms for watching TV, movies, etc. together (no electricity). For now, the 16 other people are sharing three rooms for sleeping and Erin sleeps in the fourth room...I guess that's how it works in the Peace Corps. They walk for miles to the rice patties to get the dirty rice water and bring it back to the village.
Erin mentioned that she received four letters that I had written...I began writing about 6-8 weeks ago. Please write to Erin...she was so excited about the letters (and she had been here when I wrote them, so how exciting could the letters be?!?). Simply receiving mail is a thrill.
Please remember to keep Erin in your prayers! Once again, thank you for being supportive to Erin throughout this (select your descriptive word...) - exciting, amazing, challenging, incredible, fantastic, add your own - experience. (Just wanted y'all to be able to interact a little on this blog since I have no "blogging" experience and I'm uncertain of "blog" protocol.
(Erin, when you get to read the blogs I've added for you, I hope you enjoy them. I love and miss you, sweetheart! We're all here for you!!!)
Take care, everyone!
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Friday, September 28, 2007
Atokisana fahatongavana (Safe arrival)
Hey y'all! Erin has arrived safely in Madagascar. HOORAY! Erin greatly appreciates all the wonderful e-mails and conversations she's had with each of you! Each of you has contributed to helping Erin have the desire, strength and confidence to take this journey. Thank you!
She and the other 18 PCV's (Peace Corps Volunteers) enjoyed staying at the "transit" house, a lovely place for the PCV's to stay the night. The gardens are beautiful and the US Embassy is nearby. It is freezing according to Erin. (Please don't worry, she has a warm fleece pullover, a pair of leggings and a sunny disposition.) All the staff and volunteers who are training Erin and group are "wonderful"! They had just finished their interviews when she called (2:42 A.M. our time/10:42 A.M. Malagasy time). After lunch, they are meeting their host families. Each PCV will spend the weekend with the host family and no others. This begins the "crash" course in learning Malagasy. Erin will point to something and a host family member will say the Malagasy word...let the learning begin! Classes will start on Monday Erin said that she's really feeling good about everything and she sounded great! Erin also mentioned, as the Peace Corps had written to the PCV's family, that she will not have telephone or internet access for at least the next 10 weeks.
Erin asked that everyone write her, please. When you do write, please include your return address inside the letter, too, because the envelope may not be easy to read when/if she receives her mail. Also, please write the date on your letter because there's no telling when she'll get it...they said 4 weeks to never.
On a personal note, I ask y'all to please remember Erin in your thoughts and prayers -keeping Erin healthy, happy, well and strong - mentally, physically, psychologically, emotionally and spiritually. Thank you!
Please feel free to contact me any time: (770) 403-2141 or brl259@aol.com
If Erin has phone access and no internet access, I'll update her blog for her so I can share what she says with y'all. Since we won't be hearing from her for at least 10 weeks, please keep those letters coming to her - we are her only link to home and I know she misses everyone.
I sure hope I'm writing this blog again sooner than later!!! Y'all take care!
Brenda
Erin's Mom
She and the other 18 PCV's (Peace Corps Volunteers) enjoyed staying at the "transit" house, a lovely place for the PCV's to stay the night. The gardens are beautiful and the US Embassy is nearby. It is freezing according to Erin. (Please don't worry, she has a warm fleece pullover, a pair of leggings and a sunny disposition.) All the staff and volunteers who are training Erin and group are "wonderful"! They had just finished their interviews when she called (2:42 A.M. our time/10:42 A.M. Malagasy time). After lunch, they are meeting their host families. Each PCV will spend the weekend with the host family and no others. This begins the "crash" course in learning Malagasy. Erin will point to something and a host family member will say the Malagasy word...let the learning begin! Classes will start on Monday Erin said that she's really feeling good about everything and she sounded great! Erin also mentioned, as the Peace Corps had written to the PCV's family, that she will not have telephone or internet access for at least the next 10 weeks.
Erin asked that everyone write her, please. When you do write, please include your return address inside the letter, too, because the envelope may not be easy to read when/if she receives her mail. Also, please write the date on your letter because there's no telling when she'll get it...they said 4 weeks to never.
On a personal note, I ask y'all to please remember Erin in your thoughts and prayers -keeping Erin healthy, happy, well and strong - mentally, physically, psychologically, emotionally and spiritually. Thank you!
Please feel free to contact me any time: (770) 403-2141 or brl259@aol.com
If Erin has phone access and no internet access, I'll update her blog for her so I can share what she says with y'all. Since we won't be hearing from her for at least 10 weeks, please keep those letters coming to her - we are her only link to home and I know she misses everyone.
I sure hope I'm writing this blog again sooner than later!!! Y'all take care!
Brenda
Erin's Mom
Monday, September 24, 2007
i want to flyyyy to madagascar...
HI! We have officially finished staging (step one) in DC and fly out to Madagascar tomorrow! It is actually going to take us four days to get to our host families homes - crazy! I LOVE my group! There are 19 of us and they all inspire me so much. We are all in our twenties and most of us actually just graduated in May so we're all pretty equally exited. Some of them have done the coolest things though. I feel like the experiences which have been so amazing to me and blown my mind almost pale in comparison to what a few of them have worked on. Well maybe not, DM, JSA and Dispatch were all pretty wonderful! I wish yall all the best in continuing on with those without me. Gosh, I miss yall! This is the very last time I will have internet until training is over in 10 weeks. So please write me snail mail letters because I won't have internet until December and then only for a day before I go to my site! Which I find out in 6 weeks... stay tuned.
We have learned so much in the past 30 hours. I really feel prepared for at least the first few days while we begin training and our crash course in Malagasy. I really know this is the right thing for me to be doing right now. Everything we have learned this far has even helped me understand the world and my place in it a lot more. They reiterate over and over again that even though we are serving and representing the US, we are there as grassroots volunteers which is awesome. To them, one of the most important things is for us to become close and accepted with our communities and to form relationships and build sustainable communities. They explained that simply having a real conversation over new food and tea with a new friend in our village is a huge accomplishment for one day. That's basically our job. To be there with them, work WITH them, learn with them etc. I'm pumped!
So... have a great 27 months! Know that I will be fine and feel great about everything. My 18 new friends are incredible and many of them remind me of yall. Except that I am the only Southerner. I am going to have all of them, plus all of Madagascar, saying yall by the time I come home :) Please be in touch a lot and know how much I will miss you! Be well :) keep smiling! Even though it's going to get super tough at times, know that I will!
Love,
Erin
PS - The title is because we had to express a certain Peace Corps goal/policy through creative means today and my group sang Lenny Kravitz, "I want to fly" with some different lyrics about integrating into Madagascar... rad I know, haha.
We have learned so much in the past 30 hours. I really feel prepared for at least the first few days while we begin training and our crash course in Malagasy. I really know this is the right thing for me to be doing right now. Everything we have learned this far has even helped me understand the world and my place in it a lot more. They reiterate over and over again that even though we are serving and representing the US, we are there as grassroots volunteers which is awesome. To them, one of the most important things is for us to become close and accepted with our communities and to form relationships and build sustainable communities. They explained that simply having a real conversation over new food and tea with a new friend in our village is a huge accomplishment for one day. That's basically our job. To be there with them, work WITH them, learn with them etc. I'm pumped!
So... have a great 27 months! Know that I will be fine and feel great about everything. My 18 new friends are incredible and many of them remind me of yall. Except that I am the only Southerner. I am going to have all of them, plus all of Madagascar, saying yall by the time I come home :) Please be in touch a lot and know how much I will miss you! Be well :) keep smiling! Even though it's going to get super tough at times, know that I will!
Love,
Erin
PS - The title is because we had to express a certain Peace Corps goal/policy through creative means today and my group sang Lenny Kravitz, "I want to fly" with some different lyrics about integrating into Madagascar... rad I know, haha.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
you can take the girl out of the honky tonk but you can't take the honky tonk out of the girl
Hey yall,
This is the last day with definite internet for me so I want to clear up some mail myths.
1. Send mail all the time! I will miss you so much and want to hear about your life, about the the Braves, about all things Wahoo, about DM, about the Falcons, about DRT, about our family, about your crush, about the weather, about the crazy technology updates, about your new favorite song, about Grey's Anatomy, dear ole KKG, the new adventure sports, your new job, what makes you smile these days in 100 days, when you get engaged, where you move, what you're dreaming about, how much you miss me - haha...
2. Stamps: I think you need an international stamp on the letter. It should be a simple 90 cent stamp and you can get it at the post office. Or here, I think :)
http://www.stamps.com/tools/tips/international/
3. Packages: If you can't hold back and really want to send me something, please send it to my mom. It's just too confusing and expensive for you to do it. Also, there is no guarantee at all that I will actually receive it and I will feel really bad so please let my mom take care of it, thanks. So she knows it is for me, please send to:
Erin Levin
695 Saint Regis Lane
Alpharetta, GA 30022
(I think that my address is going to officially change from Alpharetta to John's Creek in January so starting in 2008 please send to the same address but the city will newly be called John's Creek. We're crazy down here, sorry!)
Thanks for taking care of this mom!!
4. Don't forget to write Par Avion and Airmail on each letter... they each take around 3 weeks to arrive, please number them because some may get lost or not arrive in order. Please also make sure to include your return address inside the letter so I can write you back even if the envelope gets messed up.
Okay, I think that answers all of yalls questions. Thank you so much for all of the awesome encouragement. Be good. Have fun. Go Hoos!
Love,
Erin
PS - In six months or so, I will be pretty settled at my village and ready to start a secondary project. I have some really neat stuff in mind and I will give yall a chance to help by requesting a few little things we have readily available for super cheap in the States but not Madagascar... so you will totally get to be a part of my adventure, don't worry! Gosh, I love and miss you each already and the journey has not even taken off yet! Thanks for everything!
This is the last day with definite internet for me so I want to clear up some mail myths.
1. Send mail all the time! I will miss you so much and want to hear about your life, about the the Braves, about all things Wahoo, about DM, about the Falcons, about DRT, about our family, about your crush, about the weather, about the crazy technology updates, about your new favorite song, about Grey's Anatomy, dear ole KKG, the new adventure sports, your new job, what makes you smile these days in 100 days, when you get engaged, where you move, what you're dreaming about, how much you miss me - haha...
2. Stamps: I think you need an international stamp on the letter. It should be a simple 90 cent stamp and you can get it at the post office. Or here, I think :)
http://www.stamps.com/tools/tips/international/
3. Packages: If you can't hold back and really want to send me something, please send it to my mom. It's just too confusing and expensive for you to do it. Also, there is no guarantee at all that I will actually receive it and I will feel really bad so please let my mom take care of it, thanks. So she knows it is for me, please send to:
Erin Levin
695 Saint Regis Lane
Alpharetta, GA 30022
(I think that my address is going to officially change from Alpharetta to John's Creek in January so starting in 2008 please send to the same address but the city will newly be called John's Creek. We're crazy down here, sorry!)
Thanks for taking care of this mom!!
4. Don't forget to write Par Avion and Airmail on each letter... they each take around 3 weeks to arrive, please number them because some may get lost or not arrive in order. Please also make sure to include your return address inside the letter so I can write you back even if the envelope gets messed up.
Okay, I think that answers all of yalls questions. Thank you so much for all of the awesome encouragement. Be good. Have fun. Go Hoos!
Love,
Erin
PS - In six months or so, I will be pretty settled at my village and ready to start a secondary project. I have some really neat stuff in mind and I will give yall a chance to help by requesting a few little things we have readily available for super cheap in the States but not Madagascar... so you will totally get to be a part of my adventure, don't worry! Gosh, I love and miss you each already and the journey has not even taken off yet! Thanks for everything!
Sunday, September 16, 2007
fun stuff
HI! So I want to leave yall with some fun links to keep you busy for the next couple years...
-These are interesting because they are by actual Malagasy, one of the other volunteers in my staging group sent them to us, yea, we all talk already - it's great!:
http://www.tranofalafa.com/Index.html it's neat for pop-culture info...
and a Malagasy rap music video, has a pretty sad and true story like our rap music videos here... but there is a ton of hope in it too http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjR8tr3Zu0I
-To the right is a clock with the current time in Tana, the capital of Madagascar, enjoy!
-What your favorite go-to reference site has to say about the island http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madagascar
-Pretty pictures, cool info, plan a trip to come visit http://www.wildmadagascar.org/
-What the CIA thinks about Madagascar https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ma.html
-From the Embassy of Madagascar in DC http://www.embassy.org/madagascar/
-The news http://www.madonline.com/home.php and http://www.topix.net/world/madagascar
-Great photos http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Africa/Madagascar/
-Planet Earth goes wild in Madagascar (flowers and lemurs) http://www.metacafe.com/watch/456879/planet_earth_madagascar_flowers/ and http://www.metacafe.com/watch/456883/planet_earth_madagascar_lemurs/
Have fun! I will miss yall! I leave on Sunday but feel pretty at peace about everything. Just got to finish packing (thanks mom!) and finish saying bye to yall and follow through with some Deep River Tribe stuff. Don't forget to join in - all the info is in my second posting. Since mail takes to long to get there, start writing now and please write often... address is below, thanks so much! Your support means the world to me.
Love,
Erin
-These are interesting because they are by actual Malagasy, one of the other volunteers in my staging group sent them to us, yea, we all talk already - it's great!:
http://www.tranofalafa.com/Index.html it's neat for pop-culture info...
and a Malagasy rap music video, has a pretty sad and true story like our rap music videos here... but there is a ton of hope in it too http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjR8tr3Zu0I
-To the right is a clock with the current time in Tana, the capital of Madagascar, enjoy!
-What your favorite go-to reference site has to say about the island http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madagascar
-Pretty pictures, cool info, plan a trip to come visit http://www.wildmadagascar.org/
-What the CIA thinks about Madagascar https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ma.html
-From the Embassy of Madagascar in DC http://www.embassy.org/madagascar/
-The news http://www.madonline.com/home.php and http://www.topix.net/world/madagascar
-Great photos http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Africa/Madagascar/
-Planet Earth goes wild in Madagascar (flowers and lemurs) http://www.metacafe.com/watch/456879/planet_earth_madagascar_flowers/ and http://www.metacafe.com/watch/456883/planet_earth_madagascar_lemurs/
Have fun! I will miss yall! I leave on Sunday but feel pretty at peace about everything. Just got to finish packing (thanks mom!) and finish saying bye to yall and follow through with some Deep River Tribe stuff. Don't forget to join in - all the info is in my second posting. Since mail takes to long to get there, start writing now and please write often... address is below, thanks so much! Your support means the world to me.
Love,
Erin
Monday, September 10, 2007
the facts
I leave in less than two weeks for Staging which is in DC and then we fly out the 25th for Madagascar! Crazy! The past few weeks have been so fun getting to catch up with so many of yall, thanks for all the great times.
Here is what I know about what I will be doing in Madagascar:
The first 10 weeks I will be in training. I will live with a local Malagasy family and go to Peace Corps class all day every day. I am really pumped about living with a family at first so that hopefully it will help me learn Malagasy - the language and the culture.
During those first 10 weeks you can send me lots of mail and love in envelopes! Here is my address from Sept 25th-Dec 4th. Mail takes around three weeks to arrive so start sending it now! After about 6 weeks I will find out my village that I will work in for two years and get yall that address...
Erin Levin, PCT Peace Corps
Corps de la Paix
B.P. 12091
Poste Zoom Ankorondrano
101 Antananarivo
Madagascar
On the envelope please also include both "Airmail" and "Par Avion"
Thank you so much for your support and staying in touch while I am over there! Former volunteers say that mail is the best way to not be homesick... so write a lot! I hear that packages do not always get to us, so don't worry about sending those, thanks though! Oh and it is also important to number letters because sometimes with mail back ups in Africa, we get them all at once...
Also check in to this blog whenever you have a chance. Internet there is flaky but whenever I have a chance I will post on here. I am planning to write in a journal every day and then quickly summarize my life on here for all of you. Whenever I do, it means I have Internet that day so please e-mail me back, that is even more secure than airmail! Thank you :)
So after training, I will move on my own to a rural village or small town in Madagascar. There I will live in a hut-type room with no water or power - 2 years of camping :) - and work with community health outreach through social communications. I will be working with the Malagasy and my community to explain how diseases such as HIV/AIDS are transmitted but doing so through creative means such as sports and play lessons. I will also be working with my neighbors on any other projects they feel like I can help with... most importantly I will be learning with them and making friends with them and living with them in their poverty of material and money but wealth of spirit and love. It's going to be pretty tough at many points but I know in my heart it will be worth it! They say it's a huge roller coaster ride, so don't get upset if I write and sound discouraged - because by the time you get the letter or see it on here, I have already become more comfortable and happy.
I welcome all of your prayers as my departure quickly approaches. I have already been in touch with a few other girls who will be going with me and they seem so great! Thank you again for your love and friendship through this special adventure!
Be in touch a lot while I am still here and I can't wait to get there and start getting your letters about home!
Love,
Erin
Here is what I know about what I will be doing in Madagascar:
The first 10 weeks I will be in training. I will live with a local Malagasy family and go to Peace Corps class all day every day. I am really pumped about living with a family at first so that hopefully it will help me learn Malagasy - the language and the culture.
During those first 10 weeks you can send me lots of mail and love in envelopes! Here is my address from Sept 25th-Dec 4th. Mail takes around three weeks to arrive so start sending it now! After about 6 weeks I will find out my village that I will work in for two years and get yall that address...
Erin Levin, PCT Peace Corps
Corps de la Paix
B.P. 12091
Poste Zoom Ankorondrano
101 Antananarivo
Madagascar
On the envelope please also include both "Airmail" and "Par Avion"
Thank you so much for your support and staying in touch while I am over there! Former volunteers say that mail is the best way to not be homesick... so write a lot! I hear that packages do not always get to us, so don't worry about sending those, thanks though! Oh and it is also important to number letters because sometimes with mail back ups in Africa, we get them all at once...
Also check in to this blog whenever you have a chance. Internet there is flaky but whenever I have a chance I will post on here. I am planning to write in a journal every day and then quickly summarize my life on here for all of you. Whenever I do, it means I have Internet that day so please e-mail me back, that is even more secure than airmail! Thank you :)
So after training, I will move on my own to a rural village or small town in Madagascar. There I will live in a hut-type room with no water or power - 2 years of camping :) - and work with community health outreach through social communications. I will be working with the Malagasy and my community to explain how diseases such as HIV/AIDS are transmitted but doing so through creative means such as sports and play lessons. I will also be working with my neighbors on any other projects they feel like I can help with... most importantly I will be learning with them and making friends with them and living with them in their poverty of material and money but wealth of spirit and love. It's going to be pretty tough at many points but I know in my heart it will be worth it! They say it's a huge roller coaster ride, so don't get upset if I write and sound discouraged - because by the time you get the letter or see it on here, I have already become more comfortable and happy.
I welcome all of your prayers as my departure quickly approaches. I have already been in touch with a few other girls who will be going with me and they seem so great! Thank you again for your love and friendship through this special adventure!
Be in touch a lot while I am still here and I can't wait to get there and start getting your letters about home!
Love,
Erin
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