From the moment I’ve arrived here I have enjoyed every moment (well most of them- there was that ‘bad day’ with me slipping out of my flip flops in the mud!) and I really have surprised myself (and possibly those at home) with how well I have adapted and embraced the Zambian life. Every experience that I’ve had here so far has been a positive one and a big part of that is the good relationship that has formed between me and Harriet. I am constantly being surprised by how alike we are, from the huge amount of food we eat to our agreement on pretty much every activity that we do here.
A beautiful quote which pretty much sums up Zambian culture- "stay positive because life is beautiful"
The culture here is obviously very different to home but it hasn’t been difficult to settle here. I am coping well with the slower pace of life, the positive attitudes and the more simplistic lifestyle- it really isn’t a hard culture to like! It is very easy to fill a day here and with school, the orphanage, lesson planning, communicating with Patrick, socialising, shopping, going to aerobics, swimming, eating, contacting home, chilling out and our Saturday adventures, it feels like no time at all before another week has passed.
Lesson planning outside at the golf club and spending time at Lubasi Children's Home.
On arrival I did have a few minor worries about food after seeing the kitchen and realising we didn’t have an oven or grill. Then we went to the local supermarket which was nothing like what I’m used to (I’m used to a 24hour Tescos!) and had very little food I liked! But luckily we have since found a much bigger supermarket and it is amazing all the things you can cook with just a stove and a microwave! I have widened my food boundaries and while at home I usually stick to what I like, I am trying to be a little more adventurous with my eating habits here, which has turned out quite positively since I have grown quite accustomed to the local food Nshima.
I can always get a taste of home with a good old burger and chips!
After finding some free WiFi this week Harriet and I were able to catch up on some of the blogs of our fellow students who are studying abroad all over the world. It is amazing to see all the different experiences people are having and to think of how different each of our adventures is. I feel so lucky to have been given this opportunity and I do find myself stopping to think about how amazing it is that this is part of my degree! All in all I am very happy and at home in Zambia and am so grateful that I ended up here for my semester abroad!
Some highlights of this week included a walking safari and our first sighting of one of ‘the big 5’- rhino, Pancake Tuesday (it involved food so we were both majorly excited for this- the idea of pancakes kept us going all day!), and celebrating Harriet’s birthday. Our adopted Grandparents Pat and Gordon came with us when we treated ourselves to pizza for Harriet’s birthday. Since Harriet does much of the cooking here I thought she deserved a night off, and of course I would never turn down pizza. Pat and Gordon really have become like our family here along with the staff at the hostel and most of them know us quite well now. Harriet even got the traditional Zambian soaking since it was her birthday! I had to get her into the bar area and then she was brought up to dance before having water poured all over her- a lovely birthday treat!
Our adopted Grandparents!
It really is nice to have people who are here constantly so you begin to build up relationships, rather than only meeting new people every few days as people pass through. Although it is amazing to meet people from all over the world and there are many interesting conversations to be had here in Jollyboys!
Our first safari- standing very close to three REAL rhinos!
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