Victoria Falls

Multiple rainbows over the "trickling" water at Victoria Falls...the rainy season is still approaching, so the it will be an even more wonderful part of the 7 wonders when it's gushing in a few weeks.Chris (the other SALTer) and I relaxing, and enjoying a non-shima meal


A visit to the Falls deserves your best attire...or maybe just polished shoes

Jocelyn, Chris and I (my fellow MCCers and new travel buddies)

The dare devil at "Devil's swimming pool"

I landed though, and we held each others angles to take turns hanging over the edge to catch a glimpse of the fast moving water

Celebrations

The bride to be, preparing for marriage at her kitchen party...there are many

lessons to be learned

The rest of the women enter in, as she is colorfully taught through song and dance

And even I learned how to shake it Zam style (notice the matching mother daughter outfits)

Baby Ashley...this I celebrated :)

And Bataata's Graduation...they were excited I promise...

But after the kitchen party comes the wedding

with the women preparing food for the guests ...2 or 3 day old nshima and goat

I knew I had to wear my whole chitengi outfit this time, but I wasn't anticipating feeding wedding cake to the Matron...

But everyone complimented me on my efforts


Even the women in the church contemplated my Zambian style...I'm not quite there,

but at least I'm trying!

And thank goodness I eat nshima with them...

maybe someday I'll become a real Zambian :)

Nakeempa Basic School

My grade 8 classroom My grade 8 class!


Nervously giving presentations on birds...in tonga-english :)


My grade 9 club, after a field trip to my home to learn about internal combustion engines...not that ours usually works
And the younger pupils (grade 1-7) watching netty ball after school

A typical PTA meeting under the mango trees (which often serve as my moch classroom in the afternoons)

The Nakeempa Community

Footing, as they say

Or trying to use the vehicle to get into town

Even the Nurse's honda is slightly unreliable

But if you stick around, you're always offered a meal

or a baby (this is Luyando, which means love)

or time with whatever other company is in the vicinity

But no matter what Isaac is usually by my side

Especially when his mom is washing his little brother

My friend and neighbor Mr. Choonga (a fellow teacher) is also around quite a bit


But whoever's around is usually willing to go search the trees for some fruit

And if it's Wednesday, Saturday, or Sunday you can hear the choir, even from afar

So my novelty is wearing off, but the kids still find ways to be fascinated by me...or by my watch

The stares have turned to smiles though

And now I at least feel like I blend into gatherings like this baptism at the dam

I have learned to loiter on many a porch (here chatting with other teachers)

and to make regular my visits to the clinic

but mostly I've learned how to appreciate just being...and though communication is still difficult, I find new ways each day to see the beauty of Zambia and it's people

Pictures of Home

The Siagwalele Home (and mine!) The latrine (to the left) and the room to bathe (to the right) An afternoon stroll to the Dam with my host sisters
Learning how to cook from Baama

And also how to slaughter a chicken

But you can't go a day without nshima :)

And rape (the typical lettuce-like vegetable found in every family's garden)

Trying my hand at baking over the open fire...surprisingly the cake turned out!
And my roofless room :)