21 June 2012

Muli Shani!  I'm getting into the routine of things slowly but surely (I have a new appreciation for candles these days). At the end of the week I'm heading to Kitwe and Chingola (Zambia), and I'm looking forward to it!

Savanna Dry Cider

 The group went to an Italian restaurant, and the best part was the coffee. All of the coffee I've had in Ndola has been superb, and usually cost 10,000 Kwacha ($2.00 USD). 

Awesome Coffee

One of my FaNtAsTic co-workers let me know that the horn is Vuvuzela rather than Bubuzela. Thanks!

Mazhandu is a bus service that goes all over Zambia, and I found they have tickets for 65,000 Kwacha to Lusaka ($13 USD) and Livingston for 155,000 Kwacha ($31 USD).

Kalyeni is the bar many Ndola residents frequent. It's a fun and laid back atmosphere.

Kalyeni Snack & Bar

Words of Wisdom:

What's worth doing is worth doing well -- Idiom

Before you can withdraw from the bank you have to make a deposit --Mom 

Simba and Hunter's

Broccoli Soup with Caramelized Apple and Feta 

Cucumber Soup

My WONDERFUL sister bought me "Cooking with Friends" by Gordon Ramsay, and I've successfully made three dishes since I arrived in Ndola. I plan on making all of the dishes (minus the desserts) by the end of my term in Ndola. None of the recipes have disappointed, nor do I expect them to... It's Gordon.

14 June 2012

It's been pretty busy at work the last few days! I'm loving it though. Today was training day and I had the opportunity to meet staff from all over the Copperbelt. I must say, everyone I've met thus far in Zambia has been unique and full of energy. Ndola has earned the title of  "the Friendly City" hands down. I'm looking forward to learning as much as I can in the next year. 

Nontaleo: Let's Go!

Naku ta lala: It's very cold

Please enjoy the photos below!

Papaya from the Tree in the Backyard

Flower Pot Outside the Flat

View from the Backyard

Beautiful Flowers on the Way to Work

An interesting quote I came across today: If you're absent during the struggle, don't be present during the success -- Will Smith

11 June 2012 Photos

I wanted to add a few more photos from the game and the house

Hotlanta Before I Left

Not quite homesick as of yet, but it's only been 1 week in Ndola.

MOSI Bottle Cap Hat

The MOSI Brewery is a 6 minute walk from the house

Papaya Tree in Our Backyard!

Tree in Our Driveway

I just have to ask one of the staff to ut one down, and it's mine to eat!

Ghana Huddle

The Zambia Goalie has Perfect Form!

Animated Zambia Coach

Favorite Tree so Far

VP of Zambia

The Vice President of Zambia made an appearance at the game against Ghana. He's the one with the grey hair in the center of the men with black suits.

June 9th & 10th 2012

Chipolopolo! Zambia won the football game against Ghana (Zambia 2: Ghana 0).

This was a HIGLY anticipated game, as Ghana is one of Zambia's biggest rivals in football.

Awesome Shot

Bubuzelo: Horn

Chipolopolo

Creative Hat

Game Day Ticket

Winning Kick by #11

After Winning Kick

Pardon misspellings, I'm spelling Bemba words phonetically. 

Washimu-kenny: Good Morning

Awe: No

Bubuzelo: horn

Ime: you (professional) vs. Iwe: you (derogatory/someone younger)

Bwino: good

Savanna Dry Premium Cider is my new favorite cider! It cost 10,000 kwacha (2.00 USD) at one of the local bars, Kayleini Shack and Bar. 

Savanna Dry

Mwende Bwino: safe trip

Ensala: hungry

Chipolopolo!: Copper bullet

Everyone in Zambia was in high spirits on game day (9 June 2012). This was the first game at the newly built Ndola Stadium. One of the main chants during the game was, "Chipolopolo... e-yeah e-yeah"

Hard Times: Drink a Heap for Cheap

A package store for Northrise

Mukati: in the heart

The group ate at STARSCAPE after the game, which is an Indian/Chinese restaurant. It's about  a half a mile from the Ndola Stadium.

Shibu-luma-mu-quai: Goodbye

 Diwali (Festival of Light) Muslim Festival takes place in Lusaka, and happens in October. I'm certainly looking forward to that.

All Rights Given to: pyngodan@gmail.com

7 June 2012

Went to Food Palace today for lunch with two of the interns and grabbed some chicken wings and "chips" also known as fries.

Learned a few more words today!             I also learned that greetings are VERY important to Zambians

Muli bwanji: How are you? (Bemba)
Zikomo: Thank you (Bemba)
Iwe: You (Bemba)

My Zambia Jersey!

Ndola Stadium

I, along with ALL of Zambia, am looking forward to the football (soccer) game against Ghana in the BRAND NEW Ndola Stadium on Saturday. All of the staff in the office is taking "leave" Saturday afternoon. I'm so looking forward to experiencing Zambian football and country pride. I bought my Zambia jersey today, and got a "local" deal! When one of the interns asked why I got the deal the seller pointed to his skin :)

Victoria Falls

Intercab is a bus service that runs out of Ndola and goes to Livingston (where Victoria Falls is), Johannesburg and Lusaka. The bus to Johannesburg cost 574,000 Kwacha which is around $115 USD. The bus to Victoria Falls is 469,000 Kwacha which is around $94 USD and the bus to Lusaka runs everyday for 450,000 Kwacha which is about $90 USD (Phone #: 0968200694). 

Victoria Falls

Zanzibar

Zanzibar

I'm looking forward to planning time to go to Zanzibar in Tanzania. It's going to be AMAZING!

6 June 2012

Today I was able to go to Kitwe, which is the second largest city in Zambia. It's a 45 minute drive northwest of Ndola. Kitwe is similar to how I pictured Zambia. There's a lot of bustling, marketing, mining and industry. 

After working hard in the office, the team walked (20 minutes) to the "Snack Shop/Canteen" at 2522 Zambizi Way to grab lunch. It was a Zambian food buffet. I had n'shima, a white grain(maize) used to eat the food for the first time.

I had an assortment of vegetables, and my favorite was 'bwandwe.' It tasted most similar to collard greens if I had to make a comparison. I imagined Zambian food being spicy... but it's far from it. It's mild, but I can say that the vegetables have distinct tastes from each other. I learned from one of the staff that "Zambian food" is an amalgamation of all the food from the 72 tribes within the country. 

Muli Shani: Hello in Bemba (predominant dialect in Ndola)

Muywende Bwino: Goodbye in Nyanja (predominant dialect in Kitwe)

4 June 2012

Today is my first day in Ndola, Zambia! I'll put up pictures of my new home in the next week.

Yesterday I spend the night in JoBerg, South Africa. I was "welcomed home" at least three times, and called "my sister" ten fold (which was lovely). A gentleman told me it was an honor to sit with me during dinner at the Garden Court Hotel. 

My new favorite dessert is TRIFLE. 

The two differences that I would like to note are the portion sizes and airline stewardesses: 


My lunch between JoBerg and Ndola was 1/3 the size of my lunch between Atlanta and JoBerg. . . 


The stewardesses from Atlanta to JoBerg were pleasant (don't get me wrong), but the South African Airlines stewardesses were top notch and full of positive energy (I couldn't believe it at first). 


Two of the interns picked me up at the Ndola airport, and after I dropped off my suit cases at home we went for Coffee (I'll have to go back to see the name of the place). After chatting with one of the interns he solidified my desire to go to Ethiopia during one of my vacations.


The man I sat with on the plane told me "Ndola is as good as what you make of it." I appreciate his words, and will think about them while I'm here.