back to basics

sorry that it's been a while since i posted anything. work started a couple weeks ago and that's about all i can handle. life is so much different here. the days are long and very hot. by the end of the day you are exhausted and very dirty. then you have to somehow find the energy to cook something, since there are no easy frozen meals here. thanks to my friend Ronnie, i don't have to wash my clothes by hand, but i do have to hang them to dry and then iron everything. i've been so used to tossing things in the dryer when they're wrinkled. the smallest tasks seem overwhelming in the heat and there is no quick way to do anything here. i love it though, being the minimalist that i am. it just takes a lot of getting used to.

before school started, we went to Zimbabwe for a couple days. we did a lion walk which is part of a program to save the African Lion from extinction. this was one of the coolest things i've ever done. these were 16 month old cubs that have been raised in captivity, but taught to live in the wild. eventually, their cubs will be released into the wild, without any human contact.

the answer is yes, i was extremely nervous at first. especially, in the first picture where i was holding his tail. we had only just started the walk and everyone was very hesitant. so of course, i stepped forward and said i wasn't afraid to go first. next thing i know there is a lion's tail in my hand and then all the guides disappeared to take photos.

this is the picture i promised of me with my gift chicken, looking very Zambian. i must go now, the sun has gone down and it is time to get back to the center. i will write more when i can.