Weekend Road Trip

I got the chance to mix it up a bit this past weekend, to get out of Siavonga and head into the big city of Lusaka. Even though I had work to do here (updating spreadsheets, preparing garden beds, all while drinking copious amounts of Coca Cola), Munjongo’s daughter, Ndandula, invited me to come up for her 24th birthday party. How could I say no? I decided the work would have to wait.

After about 3 ½ hours of riding in the fetal position in the back of a minibus I arrived in Lusaka around midday. Ndandula and her cousin, Janet, picked me up at the bus depot and took me back to Ndandula’s place just outside of the city, a nice, two-bedroom house, where I spent the afternoon helping Ndandula and her friends cook for the party (and by help them cook for the party I mean I watched them cook for the party and periodically asked if they needed any help all-the-while knowing that they would say no and I would be safe) and rocking out to music on their stereo (it was all girls…we listened to Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” no fewer than five times).

The birthday party was great. I made some new friends, most of whom were about my age. So, we ate and danced and danced and danced. It was actually a lot like the dance parties I’ve been involved in back home, only instead of standing around in a circle with my guy friends seeing who can do the best robot or Michael Jackson impersonation I was in the middle of cute African girls droppin’ it like it’s hot. No complaints from me.

Munjongo arrived in Lusaka the next day and took me to worship at a large church in the city. There was a special ceremony going on, so there were a good number of people there from all over Africa, including my friends, Ted and Sue Wright, the Outreach Foundation’s Regional Liaisons for Southern Africa. We didn’t get to chat long, but it was nice to touch base anyway. After the service and a quick trip to the grocery store I re-entered the fetal position in another minibus and headed back home.

As for life back in Siavonga, I can’t complain. Work is going well. With fishing we’ve installed some good record keeping systems, and despite a few problems here and there the boats are doing well. As for gardening, Kebby and I have been trying to lead a small army of boys to get new beds cleared. We’ll get there. Also, I’ve planted beans, lettuce and peas in my backyard garden, so I’ll keep you updated on the progress (if you’re reading this, Pete Markham, I want you to know that I’ve followed Eliot Coleman’s instructions perfectly, so I’m pretty much guaranteed success…).

Well, I suppose I should be working and not blogging. Catch you later…