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?”