Not a Desert
Well not much to write about…daily and weekly routines forming up in a boring, but relaxed, city. The job with CDC/SmartCare is definitely a full work day type of thing, so doing the 9-5, more or less, testing/hacking software for bugs, gaining knowledge of the Smartcare system, building on training and deployment practices, learning about the Zambian health care system and helping on any number other miscellaneous items that come up. So there is definite flow and professionalism to the position, God be praised, unlike some, ahem, previous engagements. The project is situated in a very comfortable office environment; we have high speed internet, and AC, among other amenities foreign to most PC volunteers in Zambia. Who can complain? Awesome team of colleagues as well, got to know them a little better on a retreat out to “the bush” about a week back. Went out to a lodge a short distance from Lusaka and had an intense, but groovy three days discussing issues, full board feasting, and wildlife viewing from our porches. Getting away from Lusaka keeps the energy level up. After the rainy season going to try and schedule more short getaways/camping to escape. There are a couple of tranquil options for weekend relaxation within striking distance, like Kafue National Park.
Clearly, this past month, the rainy season has hit, and kill me for constant comparisons the Cape Verde, but wow. Thunder, lightning, and violent downpours so I’ve got that checkmark in my “experience the real Africa” column. I’m loving it, except when the afternoon thunderstorms coincide with my 40 minute walk from work to my home. Other waypoints like learning Nyanja, the local language, proceeding much more slowly…but fun. However I have been eating local with the ubiquitous staple nshima (sorta grits/mashed potato), like a pro, utensil-free. Method being forming a nshima ball with your hands and then using it to scoop up the fish, chicken, cabbage, boiled spinach or whatnot that’s hanging out on your plate. Tasty.
Looking forward to some Christmas plans, going to be heading down to Botswana to visit my friend, who also extended from Cape Verde. We’ll be bumming around the Okavango Delta, then up to Victoria Falls. Until then…got a wedding coming up for one of my colleagues.
posted by Brent at 11/28/2007 07:36:00 AM | permalink |
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