LUSAKA TO LIIVINGSTONE

10^th December 2013

Its time to move on after too many days of the idyllic lifestyle I have grown accustomed to at the wonderful Paceli hostel. One piece of luck was that two Australian girls were heading to the bus station at the same time as myself and of course I had to pay only a third of what I was expecting for the taxi. Its probably the only safe way of getting somewhere on time.

For some strange reason I cant access photos to load onto this blog so have put them on my Facebook. sorry

It was the first time I had used an African bus station and not a lot different from the Indian variety or a typical European one on a very bad day. The place was in turmoil and it looked like the bus would never be able to get out through the seething mass of vehicles that packed every space. However, the bus started to move exactly on time at nine thirty and it was obviously well organized chaos for we exited the station in only five minutes.

There were several police check points just after leaving Lusaka and for some reason the axle weight of all buses and trucks was weighed. But the worst part was that the air-conditioning was not on and the temperature outside was about thirty six degrees. The bus was pretty new so it was most probably to conserve fuel like all the taxis in Lusaka do. Whatever the reason, it became uncomfortably hot and sticky during the seven hour journey. In this part of the world it has become clear that seven hours is just a training run. Along the often newly (Chinese) tarmacked road, it passed by many small grass roofed settlements and some of those famous red dust African roads.

MANDELA AND THE SUNDAY MARKET

Still in Lusaka but not much longer. The days go by and staying at the Paceli Hostel could become a bit of a habit. There is one major reason for not travelling much which is the cost of anything to do with tourist activities, so reserving my resources for when I get to Livingstone in a couple of days time. Also, it is apparent that to do a lot of this part of Africa, a lot of time and money is required. Most of the people here are seriously long term travellers or doing some sort of work. Anyway, with people like Miriam running the place, and lots of interesting friendly folk,  it makes a static situation very pleasant. Here is Miriam with her 19 month old cute little charmer. 


Today is Sunday and the Sunday craft market is open. African crafts such as ebony elephants, rip off rhinos wooden face masks are in abundance. 

I quite liked these small wire bicycles with the colourful riders. Maybe when I return here next week I'll get one.

The prices of these batique materials seemed considerably lower that in Europe. I suppose that's normal but a long way to go for a bargain!







After the market we headed off for the mall about half way between the market and the hostel. With the death of Madiba last week, its been top of the news, not only in SA but also all of Southern Africa. The mall doesn't have a multiplex cinema but at least its a new modern one surrounded by coffee shops, a Wimpy, and shops selling all the latest street fashions. Africa???
But that's what we did, three of us went to see 'Long Walk to Freedom'. Not a bad movie but maybe Richard Attenborough, bless the old darling, would have made a much better job of it. 

CATERPILLARS & CURRY

Doing nothing has always been one of my greatest aspects so with nothing to do, this short movie clip materialized from the last night's culinary experience.

A couple of the lads have just gone out to reserve a table at a nearby restaurant so it looks like another food experience is in store later on. Hopefully, it'll rain again this evening and adjust the temperature to a pleasant level, hopefully.