First weekend antics!

Sat writing this on a sunny veranda with a cold mosi  in my hand - (Zambian beer).  Found my first weekend a conflict of emotions.  At times I have been excited at the prospect of the next 6 weeks in Zambia and everything I will get the chance to do.  Other times suffering the first blues of the trip with feelings of loneliness and that life at weekends appears to be quiet, and battling with the expanse of time I have to fill.

It has been a fairly quiet weekend with time spent relaxing at the backpackers hostel I am staying at until Monday, been exploring local markets and shopping Malls, been on a township tour and tasting the local floor. The backpackers hostel does appear to be a place where people pass through relatively quickly as Lusaka does not have many sights to see.  There has been company around in the evenings but I have already had the same ‘where have you come from? Where are you going?’ conversations night after night.  I don’t mean to sound jaded but has made me look forward to living in a community and making some real friendships.

The backpackers hostel is an area of tranquillity in the heart of Lusaka.  I upgraded my booking to my own room for first couple of nights.  A luxury I don’t think I can afford for long!  The Hostel has cooking facilities, swimming pool, bar, wifi and satellite TV.  I think I have spent more time watching premier league football this weekend than at all since the season starting again.   Maybe I should be taking part in the Audit Commission fantasy football league for the year – it could help fund my adventures!

Lusaka has a number of large shopping western style shopping centres which are very busy at weekends with families and groups of teenagers.  Facilities include a cinema showing all the local blockbusters, shops filled with stock which has a aged look to it, and lots of restaurants.  Many based on the fried chicken theme! Spent a long time in large shopping centres which beat my local tesco for selection of products however items don’t appear to be as cheap as I expected.   I will update you later with my eating habit once I have started cooking for myself next week.   However the sandwich I had at lunchtime does require a special mention.  Reading you would have been impressed.  It was an Mexican spicy chicken open sandwich with salsa, jalapenos and lots of melted cheese. Yum yum yum. 

I have been told repeatedly this weekend it is not safe to be out in the dark and to get taxi’s everywhere you go.  The Lonely Plant Guide’s description of Cario Rd (main road in Lusaka) make you think ‘’It would be foolish to wander the street after dark……….has a bad reputation for robbery especially from cars at a standstill in traffic . Keep your windows up and doors locked.’’   It appears to me that evening activities are pre planned and maybe not the result of spare of moment decisions or that you stay in one place for the evening.   You will be pleased to know I am listening for once in my life and am following this advice.  It has made me think about how I do take it for granted living in a relatively safe city where you are able to walk and use public transport at whatever time , and how much this freedom means to me.

Anyway tomorrow I am moving into Mrs Chikoti’s guesthouse which is near the offices of Bwafwano. 

Take Care CCx