We're Going to ZAMBIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And I was sooooooooooooooo excited!!!  But the reality of what that means hit me and although I'm still excited, the excitement has been tempered a bit as I begin to plan for the impending move, answer questionnaires that will influence our living conditions for 4 years, and research everything from schools to right-hand drive vehicles to using 220v electronics.

The impending move is 6-7 months away, but from what I've read and heard about Lusaka, Zambia I feel very fortunate that our family will move there. 

Based on what I've learned about our future home so far, I'm looking forward to:

• Weather that is a bit more variable than the Dominican  Republic's since hot weather is not exactly my cup of tea.  The average highs in Lusaka from January - August range from 73 - 79 degrees and the average lows range from 48 to 53 degrees and the hottest month is October with average highs of 88 degrees.
• Being able to walk outside without being overly concerned about violent crime.  As in all places in the world, crime exists but to my knowledge the threat level is nowhere near that experienced here in Santo Domingo.
• Living in a different kind of city.  I currently live in a very big city and all the ugliness that comes with that, including heavy traffic, high crime rates, and about as much hustle and bustle as exists in the DC metro area.  One perk of living overseas for me has always been living in an environment with a slower pace.  Apparently Lusaka is a capital city without all the big city advantages and disadvantages.
• Shopping for produce at markets and not U.S.-style grocery stores and buying fresh organic veggies from Sugar Bush farm!!!!  One of the greatest disappointments about Santo Domingo was the fact that outdoor markets are barely in existence here.  The one market that some Dominicans go to has vendors with attitudes that don't want to bargain at all and prices that are higher than the supermarkets. 
• Wildlife!  [I hope] We'll see lions, hippos, gazelles, elephants, rhinos, and zebras that aren't in zoos while we're there.  
• Victoria Falls - one of the Seven Wonders of the World, of course.

Where in the World Should We Go Next?

I know I've had to make major decisions that will impact my life and the lives of my family members before, but for some reason I feel so nervous about the decision facing me now. In about one week, I need to rank order the positions I hope to occupy next year and in essence I will be rank ordering the places I want to live next year. Deciding on where to live for the next four years means that I will essentially define the school options for my three children, the professional development and employment opportunities for my husband, and the quality of life for all of us. Last week I found myself half-wishing that the agency would just give me a flag and direct me to my new home.

One year ago when I thought I knew what my options would be, I was so sure that Kenya was the best place for all of us and I spent so much time doing research and convincing dear hubby and my teenager that it would be a great place for us. I even visited Nairobi in June for a couple of days to get a feel for the place and visit the school and I was even more excited about the possibility of moving there next year. But then the list came out and a place I never dreamed would come up for me appeared on the list along with an invitation to consider a place that I had mentally dismissed because of malaria.

So now I'm just confused!!

Kenya is still so attractive for many reasons (no need for anti-malarial drugs in the capital, great schools, good weather, lots of activities, friendly people, good housing, the list goes on and on) and it's the top choice for my hubby and eldest son; however, I'm worried about the high crime and Somalians and stories like this are not helping me feel better.

But now the Southern African nation of Zambia is appealing too and a bit slower-paced. There, too, we would have great weather, a moderate amount of stuff to do, low malaria risk in Lusaka, and friendly people, but there is also LESS CRIME and I haven't heard of any terrorist threats. BUT, it's more expensive and I've heard the high school doesn't compare to the schools in Nairobi.

Or What about the West African nation of Ghana? Rich in culture, enough activities to keep the whole family busy, a supervisor that I already know and like, great seafood options, beaches nearby, safe community but HOTTER THAN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC with a very real malaria threat and an o.k. American-style high school.

Knowing that my family will face some level of risk no matter where we go is probably the heaviest weight on my shoulders. I've had a couple of people tell me that in this business, your decisions come down to you "picking your poison" since no place will be perfect. My only prayer is that we move to the place where all of my family members will thrive, where I'll be able to positively impact the lives of people that are less fortunate than me, and where my children and hubby can feel safe, happy, comfortable. Whew!

Is this the kind of anxiety that awaits me every two to four years until I retire? Somebody please tell me no!