I have not been writing too much over the past few days, so I will do that now.
We arrived in London, were met by Daniel, and went back to his place, as I mention in my other posting. Saturday was a day for getting time-shifted. We slept twice through the day, and felt pretty good that evening, so went out to a South African restaurant for supper, where I ate ostrich and wildebeest meat - both pretty good. We had some good conversation with both Daniel and with Electra, and returned fed and happy by foot to his apartment.
Sunday we went on a walk to the local town of Barnes, walking through the commons (which is a huge area of open or forested land, with cricket pitches, football fields, and wild areas). After a stop for a pint, we took the bus back home, and celebrated Dan's birthday, complete with presents and a meal cooked by the two of them. It was wonderful - tasty, filling, and just plain good. And how nice to be served a meal by your children!
Dan was off to work the Monday morning bright and early and on his bike, and Darlene slept in a bit. So when we got up, we decided to walk over to the High Street and find some breakfast. Found a good place at the local pub, and then took the bus into downtown London, ending up at Covent Gardens, and Picadilly. Lots of walking and the occasional stop for a rest. We tired ourselves out, and were glad to get back on the bus for home. We got home before Dan, and when he got there we went out for a supper just down Richmond Street from his place.
Tuesday, again Dan was off to work, and we this time decides to take the bus to the High Street, and then on to Kensington, to visit a Museum. We got a wonderful breakfast sitting outdoors in the Kensington area, watching people. Then on to the museum. All the museums in England have free admission, which is wonderful. We decided to go into the Natural History Museum. The Museum is housed in an enormous, architecturally fascinating building which dates from the 1800's. And it contains a number of large collections of animals and insects, as well as exhibits about the human body. I was intrigued (Darlene perhaps a bit less so), and we spent most of the afternoon there.
We had decided that evening to go and see a film (Toy Story 3) with Dan, and did this, getting home late. But we got to meet Alfie, his roomie, and that was pleasant. Alfie is from Mississauga, and is going back there soon. He had kindly lent us his bed for the first few nights we were there.
Then Wednesday, which was to be our travel day. We took the morning to repack and get ready, then went to the airport. Darlene was to leave before me, so we had a bit of lunch at the airport. I saw her off, had to transfer to a different terminal, then waited for my own flight. Got on it finally, only to learn it was to be delayed a bit because of a strike in France which meant we couldn't fly through their air space. But in the end the flight was uneventful, and I even got a fair bit of sleep. Arrived in Lusaka just after sunrise, and of course waited in lines to get through the immigration process (complicated by my own ignorance of the fact that you have to pay to enter the country, and of course you pay in US dollars, and my US money was in my checked bag on the other side of customs). But they are pretty laid back here, so they let me get my bag and pay them. And enter their country. I was met by a man from Juls with a sign for "Robert Brown", but we got it figured out and I am now at the guest house.
First impressions: beautiful sunrise, very pleasant people, lots of poverty and some wealth. Reminds me a lot of Cuba so far. But I have a room, and it has power and water, so I am happy. Got some Zambian dollars out of the bank (300,000, which seems like a lot but is only about $60, I think). I will get a phone card soon, and walk over to the University and/or to the shopping plaza. Likely meeting the Maurers later tonight.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad.
Location:Lusaka
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