Nalitemwa ifya kulya! (I Love Food!)

Nshima on the right, okra on the bottom,
and fwakfwak (Chinese Cabbage-like greens)

Food—I love food. Really, I LOVE food! So, you might be wondering what I’ve been eating here; especially since I’m a vegetarian. Well, I am extraordinarily fortunate because I really enjoy nshima which is the main staple here. I guess you could say it’s kind of like the bread and pasta of Zambia. When I say that I’m extraordinarily fortunate, it’s really true since of the 115 days that I have been here in Zambia there are probably only six that I haven’t eaten nshima for at least one, if not two, meals. 

I can do the Beetles and Bats...but a Hyena!?!?

Okay—now TOTALLY wigged out. See, there’s a hyena in the area that got a cow in a nearby village. Anyhow, we could hear it last night—the dogs went crazy. We didn’t see it, but we did come across its tracks this morning on the way to the funeral. I took a picture with the camera, but you can’t really tell what you’re looking at.

Because of the hyena, or perhaps because they were tired of listening to the doors creak when I ventured outside to use the loo, they gave me a night container—fine, an old jug to pee in during the night--but Aunt Mary is sharing a room with me and I just couldn’t bring myself to use it!

Home Sweet Home: What it's Like

One of the things I didn’t expect is how far I am from the main city—hence the infrequent access to internet. A second surprise is the layout of Cibusa; I had expected a dorm set-up or close quarters, but Cibusa is actually quite large. Situated in Garneton (about k from Kitwe), Cibusa, like most homes in the area, is a former British plantation. The property was owned by a former Buffalo Soldier, purchased by a Catholic Missionary association, and donated to the organization--truly a gift!  

Home Sweet Home: Night One

I was overwhelmed by the many faces greeting me after we pulled up to the house, but the caregiver offered me water and quickly escorted me to my room. I’d prepared myself for shared quarters, so I looked around with surprise at the large room—all for me!?!? I was then shown where the bathroom was and I just about giggled with delight at the large, blue bathtub—oh yeah! She suggested I take a short nap and I figured,

“Why not?”

Trying to Play Catch-up: Quick Synopsis

Wow, it’s been a long time since I’ve been able to write anything for the blog; fortunately, though, I always keep a diary and will be able to pull stuff together!

Quick Synopsis: I spent six intense weeks with 13 incredible girls and young women. Days were kicked off and closed with worships and the hours in between were filled with chores, classes, meals, laughter and games.  There were wonderful times, but there were also times when I wondered what in the world I was doing, why I had ever considered coming, and how in the world everything was going to work out.  

Unfortunately, I encountered visa issues and had to prematurely leave the country. I eventually re-entered Zambia and we are trying to find a way for me to go back to Cibusa. 

I have spent the last four weeks on a small farm in a village outside of where I grew up, and my time here has been rejuvenating. I didn’t realize how intense the first six weeks were until I had been at Mwami for a while. The past month of drawing water from a well, cooking over a fire, bathing outside, pounding ground-nuts, shelling maise, playing football (soccer), going for long walks through Mwami and the Zambian bush—and one time accidentally into Malawi!— trying out a new language, and finally learning how to shake my hips has been incredibly restorative.

 Even more beautiful, however, is the way that I have openly and unreservedly been embraced by the people I have met.

A Bat in the...Hallway!?!

I promise to catch you up, but I thought I would share tonight's excitement--a bat. A bat that flew through the bathroom window to avoid a rainstorm--probably hung out over me while I carried out my nightly routine--and then, as I open the door--decides to make a break for it, too! I don't realize this though until I turn the corner to go into my room and a thump hits the wall behind me.

April 15, 2013: Part Two--"Hello, Madame..."

Sharon finally turns to a street vendor and asks him for help. He shoos off the boys and Sharon and I make a break for it. Still trailed by the boys, I find myself wishing I hadn’t brought anything. The fewer things you have, the fewer things you have to lose. We finally get to After 10. Sharon asks if I want to sit outside on the patio or inside the restaurant.