African Serenity

My flight from the UK to Lusaka last night was great. Very comfortable with seats that actually properly reclined and a touch-screen entertainment center in front of each passenger offering over 200 movies to chose from. I got one last “western” meal on-board which, ironically, was chicken korma. But it was delicious and I acted as if it was my “last supper” and savored every last drop. Breakfast was a box of miscellaneous cold items including 6 grapes, a freezing cold muffin and a yogurt which had leaked all over the little box. At least the coffee was hot.

I arrived in Lusaka on time and had a small issue at customs with my visa. I paid $55 for a 36-month multiple entry visa at the Zambian Mission in Geneva, Switzerland (I live in Geneva). However, upon presenting this to the customs officials at the Lusaka airport, they told me if I were simply "a tourist" I could come and go as I pleased. However, as a volunteer working in Zambia for Camfed, I could only stay for a maximum of 30 days, after which I would have to reapply for another 30-day visa and pay another $200. Honesty will get you very far but it will also cost you an extra $200 !

Patricia met me at the airport. She oversees the admin at the Lusaka office and helps me with everything from expenses to lunch to mobile phones to hotels. She is great and has been very helpful. She is also helping me sort out my visa extension. So far I love Africa, but I am not sure I would want to get stuck here indefinitely with an expired visa.

I checked in to a nice tucked away little guest house aptly named the Serenity Lodge. It is comfy and the staff is warm and more than accommodating. They serve a full English breakfast (hell yea!) and a really nice fresh chicken kebab on a skewer (not the euro trash version) so the food is much better than I expected so far. I have A/C, a hot shower, a mini fridge, Internet access, and CNN and a pretty good movie channel. Hmmmm....does not feel that different than home thus far. I am sure that will change very soon. I leave Lusaka in 5 days and head for rural Africa.