Sara from A to Z - ZamNews!

As I mentioned before, I have been experiencing some technical challenges that have delayed some of my posts. In case I ever go quiet for a bit, you can always check my roommate-coworker-conjoined twin Anne's blog: http://anneinafrica.wordpress.com/. Her grandparents have dubbed it worthy to be published in the New York Times, so you don't want to miss out on this good reading :)

This past weekend I had the chance to visit Zambia’s biggest attraction (literally) – Victoria Falls! Considered one of the “Seven Natural Wonders of the World” it was a must see during the visit of my childhood friend, Hannah. Victoria Falls is near the Zambian city of Livingston and forms part of the southern border with Zimbabwe. From Lusaka, it’s quite a drive over dirt and worse-than-dirt roads, but completely worth it!

Right now the Falls are at their peak flow as Zambia’s rainy season is just coming to an end and the Zambezi River is swollen. If you want all the stats, check Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Falls) because all I can say about them is a long string of adjectives: Amazing, Magnificent, Awesome, Thunderous (as the native name implies)…

It was an awesome, yet funny, experience. I knew that the Falls were going to be at their height. I was told that I would get wet. Yet that didn’t do much to prepare me for what I was about to encounter! The “height” part was literally true – the incredible spray reached nearly to the clouds (approx. 1300ft). The wet part was more than true also – all that spray must come down. And come down it did – right on the heads of the spectators. I had envisioned that there would be a heavy mist, sort of like those “misting machine” things you use to cool off in an amusement part during the summer. Instead, it was like walking about in a spring rain storm without an umbrella. Even with rain coats, we were soaked to the skin! Anne was the wise one, coming sans purse. Hannah sealed her purse in one of the ginormous ziplock bags my mom sent over – also a pretty good idea. I opted to put the contents of my bag inside of the ginormous ziplock bag and then the ziplock inside my bag. The idea was to be able to go “hands-free” with my bag slung over my shoulder. That could have worked well. True, my bag did fill up completely with water as we crossed the “Knife Edge Bridge”, but everything inside the ziplock stayed nice and dry. Only problem was, everything did not make it into the ziplock. In turning the bag upside down to drain it, I discovered that my cellphone had encountered Victoria Falls first hand and did not enjoy it at all! (Fortunately, it recovered within a few days.)

All the spray made for a pretty hilarious adventure. At times the downpour was so heavy, all I could do is squeal and giggle hysterically as I attempted to clear hair and water out of my face in windshield-wiper fashion. Then there was the guy walking in front of us arrayed in a giant yellow rain poncho and hotel slippers. (Not a bad idea!) And then, as we returned from our trek dripping from every part of our body, there were the stares of bright and dry tourists about to start down the path.

All in all it was an unforgettable experience. You all should really come and see it! I’d be happy for the excuse to do it all again!

The past two weeks have been filled with technological challenges, culminating with my laptop being “life-flighted” back home to Atlanta. Despite losing multiple attempted blog entries and most of my photos, I hope to be back on track soon. Can’t wait to write about my latest adventures!

My first report was focused primarily on my work, just like my first month was focused on learning as much as I could about the Zambian legal system. No longer being on the road, my second month has been full of settling in to my new life here in Zambia. This report will be a little more light-hearted, just as my month has been.

The Zambian Sky
I think my very favorite feature of Zambia is the magnificent sky. Though things may be a little smoggy and dusty here on the ground, the sky is nearly always a beautiful blue and filled with giant fluffy clouds. If it weren’t for the dirt and bugs, I would love to spend an hour just laying and gazing! Easter weekend I hope to have the luxury of also soaking in some lovely sunrises, sunsets, and starlight. I can’t wait!

Making New Friends
The Christian expatriate community in Lusaka seems to be close-knit. Being away from the busyness of our various homelands, we seem to have more time for people. It’s funny how you can meet someone for a few minutes at church, or a market, or even through a friend’s email and now they are one of your new best friends. They open their home to you and you do the same, without a second thought. It’s just another blessing of being part of the worldwide Christian community!

Great North Road
Having a favorite road is probably a little odd. Just days after arriving, I took my first roadtrip. As we sped up the Great North Road towards Kabwe, I was able to take in my new surroundings without being jolted and jarred. (See left.) Not many Zambian roads are so “luxurious”. And since that day, it has been my goal to drive myself up the Great North Road. Again, a little odd.

Chapati
With the long training trips over, food has taken on a new importance – now I have to feed myself. It has been fun recreating home cooking with whatever is available. My favorite “replacement” food is Chapati. Chapati is an Indian flat bread that is similar to a tortilla. Every time I buy them, it is with the intention to make burritos, but they rarely last until dinnertime.

Cute Kids
Zambian kids must be among the cutest in the world! Most of my time is spent in the “adult world”, but I always like to peek out the window during our training sessions and watch the kids. For the most part, kids are kids, the world round. The little boys toddle around kicking plastic bottles to each other and the little girls huddle and giggle. Only the babies seem to be different, hardly ever crying as they survey the world with their big eyes from fabric slings on their mothers’ backs. I just want to hug them all!

Singing
I really think my coworkers must think I am a little loopy sometimes. It’s just when we begin our morning devotions in song, I can’t wipe the huge smile off of my face. There are few things that I enjoy more than hearing them sing. Zambians can really sing! I don’t know how they do it, but everyone seems to know some beautiful harmony to add to make even a simple chorus sound amazing! I really need to sneak in a recording device into devotions or church sometime so that I can send you a little foretaste of heaven!

Vegetables
Yes, all you parents out there, send you kids to Zambia and they will grow to love their veggies! Since I can’t run to Chick-fil-a when my tummy rumbles, I have had to turn to what’s at hand – fresh vegetables. With the help of FoodNetwork.com, I have made Pumpkin Soup, Roasted Tomato Soup, Garden Vegetable Soup, Parmesan Corn, Tomato Cucumber Salad… Send me your favorite veggie recipes and I will certainly try them out! (And for the benefit of those who are safety-conscious out there, the veggies are all well disinfected and often boiled before consumption.)

So if you get a longing for blue skies, cute kids and fresh veggies, hop on a plane and come over to Zambia! You’re always welcome!