Notes from Zambia

So many things to do, so little time...But we're trying hard to pack as much fun stuff in as we can. Its hard to remember that I'm really here for aschool project, and not just my own vacation.
Since Livingstone, we have continued to fill each day with activities. Our interviews have gone really well, our transcription/translators are hard at work, and we've started interviewing fellow TTF volunteers and staff.

Debby teaching the translators about the audio equipment.

When we're not interviewing we've been making visits to the women's group, orhanages and hospices in the area, as well as traveling around to new places in Lusaka. Over the weekend, we went to a reptile farm where they have snakes, turtles, and the biggest crocodiles I've ever seen! Its amazing how big they can get! That night for dinner we went the the farm (dr. tim's farm) and Debby and I created a delicious meal of crocodile chili. So delicious-- there was none left, even the little boys ate it!

Big guy!

This week we've spent most of our time with our new friends Andrew, Benson, and Charles-or ABC as we call them. Andrew is avolunteer also with TTF and Benson and Charles are two of the boys who live at the farm and have been Andrew's unofficial tour guides. This week we made a trip to House of Moses and Mother Theresa orphanges. After a tour of each, we held and played with the babies. There was a stark difference between the two places. House of Moses is well funded and smaller scale--the babies are well attended to and able to be held more often. Mother Theresa is much larger. The baby room alone houses 35-40 infants plus about 12 new(ly) born babies. It is truely a heart breaking scenario :( However, it was great to spend time with these babies and even help during the feeding time!

The young ones at Mother Theresa..I'm holding the tiniest little peanut, only 3 weeks old!

We've also traveled to a 'cultural village' a small neighborhood in lusaka proper where the the crafts are sold. I picked out a pair of nice ebony earings for myself! During one afternoon, Benson and Charles took us all to a water park! We had a great afternoon of running up and down the stairs for the slides, splashing in the many pools and hanging out under the banana trees.

For the new year eve, Debby and I gathered all our friends and went to North Mead, an area of clubs and bars. We spent the night dancing to a mix of Zambian and Western music until 4am! And we were still ready for more!

Debby and I at Zenon, before the dancing began.

This weekend we are planning to head to Lake Kariba, but there will be NO swimming in that lake--as there are crocodiles! But we hear they have a pool, so we'll get our water time. Will be sure to update the blog upon return. Hope all is well across the world!