Christms in Zanzibar, Tanzania

Stone Town, Kendwa and Nungwi are some of the most beautiful places I've seen, and they're all on the same island of Zanzibar! Stone Town is an extraordinary place, and I hope to go back at some point in the future. The wood details are truly exquisit, and the architecture is magical. We came back one day early to spend an extra night in Stone Town... Best decision. I got to eat at Maritim Ethiopian. The restaurant takes pride in the experience of the customer, as well as its food (http://www.facebook.com/AbyssinianMaritim). If you're in Stone Town you should certainly go to Maritim for lunch or dinner. Make sure to take a "walking taxi." I would also like to rave about Cafe at Emerson Spice. It's a 5 minute walk from Kiponda, and they have a set menu for dinner (7:00pm to 9:00pm every day). Be sure to make reservations! It's $30 for a five course meal and the food is incredible! There were three different items to eat at every course, and everything was seasoned and cooked to perfection. One day in Dar es Salaam was enough. We took a catamaran from Stone Town to Mnemba Island to Nungwi. We snorkeled on the way and got a chance to swim with 4 dolphins!! There's a picture of one of the dolphins below. 

Christmas in Tanzania was... Good... I enjoyed being with new friends in a stunning place, but it sure doesn't beat Christmas at home. It was VERY hard getting on the plane from Nairobi to Lusaka...It took me at least 20 minutes to walk up the stairs of the plane.  I had a 5 hour layover in Nairobi, and I met some pretty interesting people! One group was heading to the Philippines (their home), and happened to work in the mines of Northern Province, Zambia.

I'm thinking about printing some of my photos (Parris Works). Comments on pictures are more than welcome!

Some of the wood detail I mentioned. I'm not exaggerating when I say that ALL of the doors in Stone Town had gorgeous/magical carving detail.

I'm most proud of this picture (Fisherman)! I wish I could say I edited this photo, but this is the natural beauty of Zanzibar and the Indian ocean. I could stare at this photo all day.

I thought this was interesting graffiti art. It was just a block away from Kiponda. I wonder if it had to do with the circulation of 'fake ARVs' (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19914662). Tanzania, out of a population of 45 million, has 1.4 million people living with HIV. 

Pepper Corn from the Spice Tour

Lichee from the Spice Tour. You can also see some cinnamon bark on the left. 

Happy World AIDS Day!

Today was the last day of the 'Center of Excellence Conference' -- Lusaka! Great way to end the conference... World AIDS Day! http://www.worldaidsday.org/

Ndola Diwali/Festival of Lights & Zambia's Independence

Muli shani?!

These photos capture October in Ndola. Please enjoy!

Fireworks! 

I was SO impressed by the fireworks display! They went on for at least 30 minutes, and there was quite a variety. Like I said before, the fireworks were right above my head... way to close!

48 never looked so good Zambia!

Independence Apple Pie! Each housemate made their own decoration, from the fireworks, a cat and the Zambian flag!

Small piece of Halloween. I didn't find any orange pumpkins, and squash is too hard to carve so bell peppers had to do!

Dandiya Raas dancing, before Diwali

Please enjoy the video!

Tour de Southern Africa

If a picture's worth a thousand words, I have at least a million things to say. I had an amazing 7 day trip with one of the best friends a girl could ask for! Each day was jammed pack with activities and fun! Please enjoy the pictures. I'll write more in the next few days.

Dami and I at Victoria Falls (Zambia's side)

Elephants crossing the road, as we drive to Botswana

Devil's Pool!

Penguin Island

Cape Town

Wine Tour! Ended up getting the one on the furthest right (Cape Ruby wine)

Cable Cars to Table Mountain

Update Coming Soon!

Muli Shani?!

It's been way too long since I last posted! I must say I'm enjoying myself, and the next two months are going to be incredible. I just celebrated my 24th birthday on the 10th. First birthday away from home! Phillippa and I went to Starscape for dinner and then Circles. Typical weekend, but all the fun was to celebrate my birthday making it awesome. The Independence/Dwali celebration (24 October 2012), was a GREAT time. I'll post pictures in a couple days. Thousands of people were there, and the fireworks lasted a long time! A little too close for my comfort (right above our heads). Some of the hot ash was falling next to us!

My partner in crime, Dami, is coming to visit in 4 days! We are going to travel Southern Africa including Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa! Livingstone--Victoria Falls--Chobe Game Park--Cape Town!  Check out or trip (click on the link).

Some New Words (I've been practicing!)
Milo : tomorrow
Inkashi sha muyayaya : forever sisters
ichoongulo pum quai : how is your evening
na' kana : don't want
bwasheniko panono : give me a better deal (price)
noumfwa : I heard

2 October 2012

Mulishani!

 It's been over a month! England was fantastic! I'll have to put up photos if time permits. It was great seeing my little sister for a little over a week. 

I think I can finally call Ndola (FunDola) home now... Home away from Home. The town is growing on me (slowly but surely). I've had the opportunity to branch off into Kitwe a little bit. I go there once a week for work, but I was also able to go to an Iconnect launch party, Cozy Joes and dinner at Arabian Nights (BEST restaurant in the Copperbelt). The girls I live with (roomates, and workmates!) are very social, so we meet new people every week. Phillippa and I went to the Bush (there are pictures below), which was a great time. Naeemah, Carolina and I went Salsa dancing this past weekend! It was nice to see/hang out with a different crowd (apart from the Circles group).

Goodness!  I have to get my passport stamped tomorrow! I honestly can't believe it's been 4 months already. I'm finding that the weeks go by slowly, but the months are fast moving. I think when I sit down and think about Atlanta and all my friends it makes the days seem longer. I hope I'm able to take full advantage of the variety of experiences/places Africa has to offer. You're only 23 once!

Please enjoy the pictures!

The crew before heading off to the Zambia V Uganda Game! Of course Zambia won! Chipolopolo!

Huge Crowd! This picture doesn't do it justice.

On the way to the bush! 100% of the road was dirt. Almost didn't make it.

Beautiful view of the bush

The Dam Phillippa and I swam in! It was lovely! Until we saw some creature coming towards us.

Another view of the dam

Chipolopolo

The Bush

Nature at its finest

Beautiful!

Breathtaking! No one knows what they're called. But they are wonderful to look at. It's texture is most similar to wood, It's shape is exactly like squash, and it's very dry.

Had a fantastic dinner made by the man to the left! Thai Chicken with chinese cucumber salad. I'm no longer eating chicken... as of August 10th. Still going strong. 

Chocolate Lava Cake

A much better picture of the chocolate lava cake (Thanks KD). It was delicious, and not too sweet. It was 3 ounces of Cadberry Dark Chocolate, 1.25 sticks of butter, a shot of Amarula, 2 eggs and 1 yolk, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and 3 tablespoons of flour.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F or 190 degrees C

First you beat the eggs, add in the sugar and flour. We put the chocolate in a glass bowl over boiling water to melt (not burn) and slowly added in the butter. It can be melted beforehand or melted with the chocolate. After you have a good consistency, add the shot of Amarula. Then pour the chocolate mixture into the bowl with the eggs, flour and sugar and mix well.

Butter and flour the pan you want to use. We used cupcake pans. Fill it using something with a spout all the way to the top, but with enough room for it to rise (0.5 of a cm).

Bake for 10 minutes (it should still look like it needs 5 more minutes) and let it sit out for a few minutes. then flip over the pan onto a wax sheet.

Then Eat!