On to the next

My legs are still a little tight from my trek a couple of days ago and my mild burn has turned into a sweet tan. I will be making the trip again before long as mom and pa have sent me something that should be arriving soon. I hope to make the second run a little less dramatic, haha.

We had a little false alarm today about the internet being fixed. A message was emailed around 3:30 this afternoon about the connection being restored. It was however in error as my return to the flat found that my little laptop is still without that most important bit of world –wideness. Its absence has grown a kind a thankfulness that we have the web at all.

I have been working on new ways to open glass bottles as just about all, other than water, beverages require a bottle opener. I have nearly perfected the method of using a second glass bottle to open the first. Depending on the contents of the bottle you probably want to try it with the first rather than the third or fourth… just a suggestion. I can also use a plastic bottle or a butter knife. If all else fails I do have my handy dandy little keychain bottle opener.

I am moving to the next ‘I am living in Africa’ phase here very soon. To recap, I have figured out how to find food (the spear is sharp), I have explored my surroundings and found my limits on foot. I have traveled to Siavonga and battled the prehistoric dread-doom-leviathan-lizard-demon. Next, on the list is to figure out the mini-bus system and be able to use it well. What I know about them is as follows:

1. They are a gamble as far as how quickly they can get you where you need to be

2. It is not terribly uncommon for the drivers to be quite intoxicated

3. The smell is something I cannot adequately put into words. I walked by at least a dozen bus stops on my way into town and was nearly knocked over by the stink coming out of there.

4. They are nearly always packed beyond capacity (cap. 8 while 14+ are on board)

Despite those fairly negative reports and observations I still have to say that I have done it. I need to check it off the list and let it be forever. Much like those awful little fish (Kapinta).

There is a drink over here called Shake Shake that is made up of fermented mealy meal (the same stuff that is used to make Nshima). It has an alcohol content that is through the roof and smells (and must taste) just like vomit. Word is that you take a drink and wake up in a ditch. I think I may just be able to pass that one up without any regrets at all. The legal drinking age over here is eighteen, not that it matters, there is no enforcement and if you have money you can get whatever you want. It’s actually really sad I think., drunkenness is a huge problem here.

I really do like the walk that I have to take to work every morning. The road that connects our little Mwembelelo Road (ZAHRP flats) to Vubu Road (ZEHRP main clinic) might be really pretty if it were not absolutely littered with rubbish of every kind. I noticed the other day that despite the immense quantity of refuse lining the street the flowers still bloom. There is a crawling plant called a Morning Glory that does it’s very best to disguise the irresponsibility of the populous. I have talked with Kahler about buying a dozen cokes, finding a group of munchkins, and bribing them to clean the garbage. It is still a possibility. I will definitely capture some video if I do!

We have a soccer game this Sunday! I am super stoked, I will let you know how it goes

P.S. Blueberry Pop-Tarts taste a thousand times better in Zambia

All is very well!