I'm Still in Zambia!

It’s true; I’m still working in Zambia. My apologies for not updating my blog and keeping people informed. Life has been busy and interesting - at least that’s my excuse! Here are some brief snippets of what has happened since I last wrote:

• Barefeet Theatre performed an amazing play in Lusaka, that they then took on the road to the Contacting the World festival, described in my last post. Friends and family from Seattle helped me raise $400 for their trip. Thanks!
• A group of teachers and students from the school where I used to work in Seattle came again for their annual visit in June/July. It went very well. A highlight for me was a matebeto (traditional thank-you) ceremony put on by one of the schools. They presented a great array of traditional foods to us (see photo), and I ate caterpillars for the first time (tasted pretty good – a bit chewy).
• One of my friends from Seattle stayed after the group left and two more friends joined her. The four of us went on a whirlwind safari tour of Kasanka NP, Kapishya Hot Springs, Shiwa Ngandu (a British manor house in the bush), Mutinondo Wilderness, and South Luangwa NP. We took the back way into South Luangwa, on a rarely used track, and ended up spending an unexpected night camping in the bush because our vehicle was stuck in the sand in a dry river bed. Luckily a group from the Zambian Wildlife Authority came by the next morning and gave us a push (see picture). That night we had heard lions in the distance, but thankfully didn’t see them until on a proper safari tour in a different part of the park the next day! Here is a nice giraffe picture from the safari as well.
• In July I moved from the apartment that I had lived in for almost two years, into a decaying colonial house with a lovely garden where two friends of mine were already living. I miss the mix of neighbors that I had at the old place, but this new house is very peaceful. It is also great not to have to worry about finding housemates anymore. My old place had become a revolving door for short term development workers, researchers and interns.
• In August I had a great trip home to Seattle. All of my family was around, and we took our usual wonderful trip out to the Olympic Coast. Then I had a few relaxed weeks in Seattle that were a combination of catching up with friends and neighbors, enjoying my cohousing community and doing a bit of work. The trip culminated with the wedding of some very good friends. The visit to Seattle reaffirmed for me how much I love living there and reminded me how much I miss the communities that I am a part of there when I am away.
• In early September I headed back to Lusaka, visiting my grandmother on the way. I am working in Lusaka now until the beginning of August next year, charged with continuing my work to improve (and move towards sustainability) the four school computer projects and also set up the overall project for success after I go. Wish me luck!
• When I returned to Lusaka in September there were three new head teachers to be oriented, and we also needed to hire a new computer lab manager for one of the schools. The head teachers are gradually learning about the project and also gradually developing their own computer skill, but it is a slow process because they are very busy people with many other demands. We did also successfully hire a new lab manager, as well as a project intern!
• I had a great adventure last weekend (plus a few days) with some friends to the Lake of Stars music festival at Lake Malawi. The downsides were too much driving, loud music til the early morning and the cops outside of Lilongwe who caught us for speeding… but the upsides were a chance for me to see Malawi for the first time, a beautiful lake, good company, and a fun festival atmosphere.

So there’s all the news for now. Hopefully I am back on the wagon and will be a more regular blogger again!