Lusaka

Okay, Lusaka’s nice! It isn’t quite a “city” in the sense I’m used to, but is more like Lilongwe, Malawi – a congestion of residential and commercial property connected by some nice roundabouts, wide streets, and lots of greenery.

Bill Penoyar, a USAID employee I knew from Ukraine, is posted here, and today he plugged me in to the local Hash House Harriers – an international social club that centers around a run/walk event. We did a 5k today that was outside the city on some farm and bush territory. No lions or tigers or bears; oh my!

Last night I was invited to a monthly wine & cheese event that the American Embassy does. There were people from USAID, the U.S. and other Embassies there. It was quite a relaxed, sociable atmosphere. I got to talk to quite a few people from all over the place. One gentleman, a Belgian, recommended some South African Gevurtztrameiner wine and said the only way to drink it is with fresh goose or duck liver pate. We’ll see about that.

Tomorrow, if all goes according to plan, I’ll head off to a local game park to see some critters and join up with another USAID walking club for the afternoon/evening.