A winter feeling in the air
on A Zambian Experience (Zambia), 26/Apr/2010 17:09, 34 days ago
It’s Monday. I’m in Sub-Saharan Africa and I’m freezing cold. I thinks it’s the first time since I have arrived in Zambia, that I’m actually spending a quiet evening in with my scarf, socks, a hot cup of Rooibos tea, whilst wearing my latest arrivals...yes my very cute leopard print fluffy slippers sent from home!Before I began this journey I remember packing up my things back in the UK and ensuring that I had the most useful of items: sunscreen– check, swimming costume-check, insect repellent – check, dehydration salts – check check! I did not think about the woolly hat, the gloves, the scarf and the slippers! I even rejected the idea of a hot water bottle (yes, it's one of the items recommended on the VSO list of ‘What to buy orwhat to take to Zambia’. What would a VSO volunteer want with all those winter garments, especially when heading out to work in the hot temperatures of Sub-Saharan Africa!? Well, now, as I sit here in my house on a Monday evening, with the cold mountainous Chipata wind blowing outside the window,I’m beginning to think that the hot water bottle may have come in handy...