This week I am in Atlanta at the CLSI leadership meeting. It is great to see the past and present mentors. It is wonderful having Gail back as a mentor and fun to see Deirdre again. Although Pam is not hereOf course it is good to see my Zambian and Tanzanian colleagues again.
I am looking forward to seeing Pat Germany. She will be having an early lunch with me on Friday before I leave for home. I love meeting old friends again.
Just one more week and I will be in Tanzania again to see old friends and greet new challenges. I am really blessed with wonderful family and friends and the opportunity to see the world in my retirement.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
more activities in Zambia
Things became very busy and I seemed to have neglected my blog. So here goes- my attempt at catching up.
My last weekend in Zambia included seeing the installation of the Salvation Army Territorial Commander in Zambia at Lubala corps in Lusaka. What a wonderful and joyful event! Lots of singing and praise and Salvationists from all over Zambia.
There was a holiday on my last Tuesday for International Women's day. Barb and I took a tour of Lusaka and celebrated Women's day too. I'll add a few photos.
We managed to do some shopping at the Sunday craft market too. I think I over did the shopping thing but I did love the Zambian crafts.
I also had the pleasure of stopping in Johannesburg and visiting Major Jwili. I worshipped at a corps where the cadets from the training college presented the program. They were incredible!
Major, her sons Thando and Martin and I had lunch at a really great ribs restaurant. In case that wasn't enough Captain Rob and Lt. Juanita Wright brought their new baby Claire Thembe Wright to meet me. She is adorable and now my latest princess!
At home for a month, I am catching up on dental and doctor's appointments and visiting my children and grandchildren. Next week is the CLSI meeting in Atlanta. Then one more week and off to tanzania for 3 months.
I am surely blessed.
My last weekend in Zambia included seeing the installation of the Salvation Army Territorial Commander in Zambia at Lubala corps in Lusaka. What a wonderful and joyful event! Lots of singing and praise and Salvationists from all over Zambia.
There was a holiday on my last Tuesday for International Women's day. Barb and I took a tour of Lusaka and celebrated Women's day too. I'll add a few photos.
We managed to do some shopping at the Sunday craft market too. I think I over did the shopping thing but I did love the Zambian crafts.
I also had the pleasure of stopping in Johannesburg and visiting Major Jwili. I worshipped at a corps where the cadets from the training college presented the program. They were incredible!
Major, her sons Thando and Martin and I had lunch at a really great ribs restaurant. In case that wasn't enough Captain Rob and Lt. Juanita Wright brought their new baby Claire Thembe Wright to meet me. She is adorable and now my latest princess!
At home for a month, I am catching up on dental and doctor's appointments and visiting my children and grandchildren. Next week is the CLSI meeting in Atlanta. Then one more week and off to tanzania for 3 months.
I am surely blessed.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Saturday Feb 19, 2011
We spent a busy week at the lab. Did a lot of training in large groups and individually. Barb and I had dinner at the Ocean Basket during the week. Saturday we went to the copper shop but nothing caught our fancy. Then we went to the mall, did a bit of shopping at the bookstore and had lunch at Nandos. Now spending a quiet afternoon.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Things I have learned
A dazzle of Zebras
A herd of Elephants
A troop pf Baboons
A journey of Giraffes
A raft of hippos
More bits of relatively useless information
A herd of Elephants
A troop pf Baboons
A journey of Giraffes
A raft of hippos
More bits of relatively useless information
Chobe Park, Botswana
Chobe was a great experience. To get there, we were driven 45 minutes to the border and checked at immigration upon leaving Zambia. Then we went to the river bank which was a jumble of trucks waiting for a ferry which had room for 1 truck and 1 car. We boarded a small boat and crossed the river. A vehicle waited for us there and took us to Botswana immigration. After having our passports checked we walked through a disinfectant to prevent us from bringing foot and mouth disease into the country. (Note: this is different from Foot IN Mouth disease.)
We drove another half hour and then boarded a small boat. Our guide was named Moses and he was our guide for the water safari. We again had to stop at a closet on the dock which was the office for the park entrance by water. We saw lots of Hippos, elephants, birds, and even a crocodile. In spite of sun screen and a hat, I managed to get a sun burn.
Then a great lunch which included wildebeest steak, which was quite like beef and tasty.
A Safari in a land cruiser was the next part of our day. We saw many Maribou storks, egyptian geese, baboons, and again lots of elephants in breeding herds with many very young animals.
Finally back to the border to saw goodbye to Botswana, across the river and hello to Zambia and into the bus that took us back to our hotels. We arrived back at the Maramba lodge and were really exhausted. Dinner and to bed.
I had wanted to attend the SA corps in Livingstone but the exhaustion was still present in the morning. Sorry folks in Livingstone that I did not meet you. We spent a quiet day downloading our photos and reliving and laughing about the previous day.
Finally to the airport and our flight back to Lusaka.
Still tired but happy.
We drove another half hour and then boarded a small boat. Our guide was named Moses and he was our guide for the water safari. We again had to stop at a closet on the dock which was the office for the park entrance by water. We saw lots of Hippos, elephants, birds, and even a crocodile. In spite of sun screen and a hat, I managed to get a sun burn.
Then a great lunch which included wildebeest steak, which was quite like beef and tasty.
A Safari in a land cruiser was the next part of our day. We saw many Maribou storks, egyptian geese, baboons, and again lots of elephants in breeding herds with many very young animals.
Finally back to the border to saw goodbye to Botswana, across the river and hello to Zambia and into the bus that took us back to our hotels. We arrived back at the Maramba lodge and were really exhausted. Dinner and to bed.
I had wanted to attend the SA corps in Livingstone but the exhaustion was still present in the morning. Sorry folks in Livingstone that I did not meet you. We spent a quiet day downloading our photos and reliving and laughing about the previous day.
Finally to the airport and our flight back to Lusaka.
Still tired but happy.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Livingstone - Victoria Falls
Got up before 5 AM and left for the Lusaka airport at 6:15 AM. Arrived in Livingstone at 9:15 AM.
We took a cab and checked in at the Maramba River lodge. Barb and I are sharing a chalet and Pauline and Rinette are sharing a tent.
I have trouble believing that we did this but after lunch we took a helicopter ride over Victoria Falls! It was incredible!!!!. They took videos of us getting on the flight and during the flight and are editing it for us and it will arrive at our lodge this evening.
The other Mommas are now on a walk to the falls. This Momma thought we would all have more fun if I didn't try walking for an hour. I sent my camera with them so I will see the falls up close that way.
I am building up my strength for the game drive and river trip tomorrow in Chobe national Park in Botswana.
We took a cab and checked in at the Maramba River lodge. Barb and I are sharing a chalet and Pauline and Rinette are sharing a tent.
I have trouble believing that we did this but after lunch we took a helicopter ride over Victoria Falls! It was incredible!!!!. They took videos of us getting on the flight and during the flight and are editing it for us and it will arrive at our lodge this evening.
The other Mommas are now on a walk to the falls. This Momma thought we would all have more fun if I didn't try walking for an hour. I sent my camera with them so I will see the falls up close that way.
I am building up my strength for the game drive and river trip tomorrow in Chobe national Park in Botswana.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Finishing another week in Zambia
We presented our training session for staff. The training was to start at 9 AM. We were the only people in the room at 9AM. Finally at 9:10 the first 2 participants arrived. The boss then made a trip around the lab and sent employees to the training session. EVentually we had 38 people present.
I think they were energized to get to work on their SOPs.
After the session, someone asked Pauline if she spoke french. She said yes can't you hear from my accent. The young man said that he just thought she sounded that way because she was old. Now I can't wait for my french accent to pop out as I am surely old enough.
Tomorrow we leave for Livingstone and Victoria Falls. Yippee!!!!
I think they were energized to get to work on their SOPs.
After the session, someone asked Pauline if she spoke french. She said yes can't you hear from my accent. The young man said that he just thought she sounded that way because she was old. Now I can't wait for my french accent to pop out as I am surely old enough.
Tomorrow we leave for Livingstone and Victoria Falls. Yippee!!!!
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