Lusaka

We arrived at 6 this morning. The sun was rising as the plane landed and it was incredibly beautiful.

This morning we had an orientation meeting at the FORGE flat and then spent the rest of the day running errands and shopping for project supplies. We bought red ribbon and safety pins to make HIV/AIDS awareness ribbons. Also got about 50 yards of canvas to make into public-service-type banners to put up throughout Meheba. Comparison shopped for disposable latex gloves (overpriced everywhere) and alcohol pads (nonexistent so far). For lunch we had a traditional Zambian meal of nshimi (grits-like mush with a hint of corn tortilla flavor) and chicken.....here it is customary to eat with your hands. Nice! Went to the bank and a garage where our minibus was being repaired, which wasn't really a garage at all, just a parking spot along a busy market street. Ate some fresh sugar cane, which reminded me a lot of the DR.

There is a shortage of diesel fuel in Lusaka at the moment--lots of long queues at all the stations. We had to work some connections in the towns along the route to Meheba to have enough diesel purchased in advance and waiting for us when we drive out there Thursday. Rumor has it the drive can take 7 to 14 hours. Nice! Cars drive on the left side of the road here. I keep trying to get into the car on the wrong side.

Tomorrow UNHCR is hosting a parade for World Refugee Day and they have invited us to walk in it. Joe (project partner) and I have some big meetings lined up with IOM, SFH, and a rapid test distributor to discuss specific ideas for collaborative testing and education projects in the coming months. So excited to be here.....