Day 3: Look Right

Today was my first full day as we began our rotations through the project departments and the staff have been absolutely wonderful so far.

We suffered yet another power outtage at lunch and defaulted to sandwiches.

The swelling in my eyelid worsened but as per Anne's recommendation, I rubbed lemon on it. (expletive of choice).

At 1600, we had a farewell party for Sarah, one of the senior interns with who I spent most of my morning learning the ropes from.

On our brief strolls to and from the flats, I had noticed some fish swimming in the open sewers. Yes, open sewers. By scientific epiphany, I think I'll call these soon to be pets'o'mine poopfish.

Much to our surprise (not really...OK, not at all), we returned to the flats to find that power hadn't come back on. Esteban and Ben volunteered to get charcoal so we could grill the chicken outside as opposed to watching it fester on the electric stove in pitch darkness. I suppose we could culturally tailor the electric train riddle (an electric train is traveling east at 130 kph; which way is the smoke blowing) to something along the lines of: there's chicken on the electric stove in the middle of Lusaka; what does it smell like. Irony perhaps, Ms Morisette?

After trekking three Zambian blocks and back (trekking probably conjures up the proper image), the guys came back with the charcoal. Iron Chef Esteban grilled some wicked chicken and corn with a side of mushroom potatoes. Despite the pain lingering in my mouth from overenthusiasm, the food was terrific!

Note to self: look right before crossing.

Day 2: Eye Wide Shut

I battled a mosquito in my sleep and woke on the other side of the world to find that my bed had shifted a half foot from the wall, or should i say a sixth of a meter. A bite or two over my left eyelid and I can empathize with Forest Whitaker's ptosis.

We started the day off with a trip to the ATM resulting in a million kwachas followed by Shoprite (a walmart subsidiary?). We stocked up on overpriced groceries, made our way back, and met the project staff. After dawdling at the site for a bit, we joined the crowd for a management meeting at IAVI.

Back at the flats, Liz invited us to flat 2 for veggie burgers. YUMMM. After dinner banter, the girls decided to watch the OC so Ben and I hightailed it out of there.

With mosquito bites quickly outnumbering the days of my stay, Ben and I hotboxed our room with a mosquito burner. So far so good.

Relativity and paradigms are a funny thing. Jet lag is tragic.

Chasing Sunsets

I spent my last day with friends and family, topped off with a beautiful smile and a sunset nearly as breathtaking and couldn't have left under more auspicious circumstances. I chased my last Californian sunset over the hill, rushed home to grab my camera, and headed to the highest point in La Crescenta. Pictures to follow when I get settled in.

I apologize for the commitments that I couldn't fulfill before I left, but I'll be back. :)

I left LAX for Atlanta, then headed to Dakar, Senegal. Shortly after, we made our way to Johannesburg, South Africa. Due to a delay back in Atlanta, I missed the last flight out to Lusaka, Zambia. Forlorn, I went to South African Airways for a ticket reissue. Pending an additional charge, I went to the Delta counter, where they reissued me a new ticket departing the following day, a mere 16 hours later. Not unlike Tom Hanks in The Terminal, I traversed close to the entirety of the entire airport dawdling. Much to my good fortune, I came across three fellow Americans, a couple from Idaho visiting their son in the peace corps in Zambia, and another, visiting his sister in Zambia. Together, we went to Dove's Nest for a hot meal and a good night's rest. I completely passed out at about 10pm only to bolt out of bed at 12:30am. My roommate and I were convinced it was at least 6am. Ah, the beauty of jet lag.

Fastforward. Sunrise. Made it to Zambia and picked up by driver at the airport. Reached project site. Took a nap and woke up to excruciating pain from mosquito bites on the foot. Met most of the current interns and went out together for Indian food. Bestowed critical information: Mosi is the beer of choice.