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Lusaka: Civilisation?
Posted by daveb on August 13th, 2008
For nearly two months we’ve travelled Africa and we continue to adjust to how different things really are here. Upon arrival in Lusaka, it appeared that we had re-entered civilisation as we know it in the West. The roads are made from tarmac. The cars are modern. There are numerous shopping malls. A cinema and even a bowling alley!
After a couple of months of [debatably] hard travel, we took advantage of the city’s offerings and spent a day or two pretending that we were back in the UK (more accurately, the US). We bought books and we bowled. (Disappointingly, Sex and the City: The Movie had already been and gone from the silver screen here.)
At last, we managed to find a replacement wooden giraffe, to fill the void created by Claire’s dad and his clumsiness with her last one. However, we were reminded that we were still in Africa after trying unsuccessfully to purchase ready-to-post packaging materials. Instead we had to build our own cardboard box and entertain the DHL office clerks into donating a roll of bubble-wrap to our cause.
Naturally, the phone networks remain down, internet connectivity is next to useless, power failures are a daily occurence and the council has turned-off the water supply until further notice. How could we possibly forget we are in Africa?
Filed under Zambia |
4 comments »
Comments
Comment from Naomi
Time: August 13, 2008, 5:49 pm
oooh your giraffe looks just like mine! Must be the same wood or somat. I got mine in Swakop. Managed to wangle it onto the plane home as hand luggage, got it all the way home safely, and then my Dad (there’s a Dad theme here!) managed to snap it’s ear off after some over vigorous cleaning….. hrmph…… Dads and giraffes hey?!
‘Nothing that a bit of wood glue won’t sort out……’
Comment from Andy
Time: August 14, 2008, 1:18 pm
I Notice which aisle you are in Claire – Chocolate
Comment from moneymanager
Time: August 18, 2008, 11:39 pm
ha ha,
great seeing daveb doing the packing,
how about starting packaging business??
i am sure your talents can be utilised better,
ill even partner you daveb,lol.
and squiffy, this is not faire, you are having all the chocolate yourself(as per andy, c mmon, i also love chocolates!!!
next time send me some , ok,
take care folks
Comment from Claire
Time: August 20, 2008, 4:53 pm
– Naomi: Yes, I think my first giraffe has been repaired with wood glue, and this newest addition has now arrived safely. But the story doesn’t end there…watch this space!
– Andy: Of course the chocolate aisle! It was the first time I’d found Cadbury’s in Africa (although it’s the South Africa version, but nearly as good). I hope you are all well and enjoying summer? Have you been away yet? Claire x
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