My initial intent to blog from Mongu on a semi regular basis went by the way as internet access and time did not cooperate with my plans. The activities I will post will now be based on activities not the day today adventures I had planned.
Two weeks ago today we left Chicago traveling to Mongu, Zambia. My son, my brother in law, sister in law and two nieces were also in Africa. Kenya. We have yet to compare notes and pictures but I know they have beautiful safari pictures, Mt. Kilimanjaro pictures and viewed a much prettier part of Africa. As I type this a.m. the barren, dusty, plains of Western Zambia are seared into my brain and senses. (My bucket list does include trips to other parts of Africa!)
The blog that did not get posted shared our 8+ hour trip from Lusaka to Mongu. I am chuckling as I read my draft about the trip to Mongu, while I am deprogramming from the trip back. Both were adventures but we start at the beginning.
The vehicles that came to pick us up from Lusaka to make our journey were not the nice ones from last time. They were smaller! Mental adjustment #1 was knowing that circulation in the lower half of the body was going to be limited most of the day. Having made the journey before the sense of adventure had to be recreated. A fact quickly discovered was the shocks on this truck needed to be replaced, mental adjustment #2, we were in a motorized vehicle not an ox cart! We came prepared with snacks for the day, water and a driver. Let the journey begin.
6 hours into our trip we had the delightful privilege of stopping at a new project through Zambia Works. Zambia Works is our on the ground organization making the projects we raise money for come into being. Zambia Works teach agriculture techniques, provide loans, oversee the projects started as they teach the people how to succeed on their own, wells, over see the schools built and are amazing. They make us from Hands of Hope look really good!
The newest of projects, Honey! This remote village secured a loan to harvest honey! They knew we were coming and in wonderful African form celebrated our interest in their well being. The work was the women's but the men were very eager to show us the projects. :) $300 will purchase 3 Bee Suits, the smoker and 3 hives. The hives look like small wood coffins, inside the hive are rows of frames allowing the bees to create their combs. As they harvest the honey they will sell it, eat it and hope to gain more hives. This opportunity is wonderful and something easily duplicated. We are eager to watch this project develop.
“We lived for honey. We swallowed a spoonful in the morning to wake us up and one at night to put us to sleep. We took it with every meal to calm the mind, give us stamina, and prevent fatal disease. We swabbed ourselves in it to disinfect cuts or heal chapped lips. It went in our baths, our skin cream, our raspberry tea and biscuits. Nothing was safe from honey...honey was the ambrosia of the gods and the shampoo of the goddesses.”
― Sue Monk Kidd, The Secret Life of Bees
This brief and wonderful stop in our journey to Mongu was a great way to launch our adventures in Mongu. It made the travel day very, very long but worth it.
Two weeks ago today we left Chicago traveling to Mongu, Zambia. My son, my brother in law, sister in law and two nieces were also in Africa. Kenya. We have yet to compare notes and pictures but I know they have beautiful safari pictures, Mt. Kilimanjaro pictures and viewed a much prettier part of Africa. As I type this a.m. the barren, dusty, plains of Western Zambia are seared into my brain and senses. (My bucket list does include trips to other parts of Africa!)
The blog that did not get posted shared our 8+ hour trip from Lusaka to Mongu. I am chuckling as I read my draft about the trip to Mongu, while I am deprogramming from the trip back. Both were adventures but we start at the beginning.
The vehicles that came to pick us up from Lusaka to make our journey were not the nice ones from last time. They were smaller! Mental adjustment #1 was knowing that circulation in the lower half of the body was going to be limited most of the day. Having made the journey before the sense of adventure had to be recreated. A fact quickly discovered was the shocks on this truck needed to be replaced, mental adjustment #2, we were in a motorized vehicle not an ox cart! We came prepared with snacks for the day, water and a driver. Let the journey begin.
6 hours into our trip we had the delightful privilege of stopping at a new project through Zambia Works. Zambia Works is our on the ground organization making the projects we raise money for come into being. Zambia Works teach agriculture techniques, provide loans, oversee the projects started as they teach the people how to succeed on their own, wells, over see the schools built and are amazing. They make us from Hands of Hope look really good!
The newest of projects, Honey! This remote village secured a loan to harvest honey! They knew we were coming and in wonderful African form celebrated our interest in their well being. The work was the women's but the men were very eager to show us the projects. :) $300 will purchase 3 Bee Suits, the smoker and 3 hives. The hives look like small wood coffins, inside the hive are rows of frames allowing the bees to create their combs. As they harvest the honey they will sell it, eat it and hope to gain more hives. This opportunity is wonderful and something easily duplicated. We are eager to watch this project develop.
“We lived for honey. We swallowed a spoonful in the morning to wake us up and one at night to put us to sleep. We took it with every meal to calm the mind, give us stamina, and prevent fatal disease. We swabbed ourselves in it to disinfect cuts or heal chapped lips. It went in our baths, our skin cream, our raspberry tea and biscuits. Nothing was safe from honey...honey was the ambrosia of the gods and the shampoo of the goddesses.”
― Sue Monk Kidd, The Secret Life of Bees
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| These ladies were awaiting our arrival! It was a festive time and a honor to see the hope and excitement in this village. Vicky Wauterlek too is delighted to see more dreams unfold. |
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| The Honey had a great flavor! I hope this business grows for the buyer, the seller and the consumer all will benefit. |
This brief and wonderful stop in our journey to Mongu was a great way to launch our adventures in Mongu. It made the travel day very, very long but worth it.
The scattered lights of Mongu come into view! We are ‘home’. Hungry, tired (50+ hours of travel and very
little sleep) and longing to clean up!
The next ‘mental adjustment must
be made’. Our arrival has been anticipated!
We are warmly greeted by our Zambian
friends who were waiting for dinner; the beginning of our chicken rice/chips and
slaw options that became our standard fare.
The day ends as we are ushered into our 5 star Mongu
hotel. Pepto Bismol pink painted walls help to wake me up enough to
sponge bath, brush my teeth, throw on my PJs and drop into a deep sleep. In the days to come the uniqueness of this
conference lodge will cause me once again to mentally readjust but for this
night I was in ‘heaven’.
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