In preparation for the arrival of the rest of the team, we walked to Strawberry Cafe to see if we could get internet access to check email and send the blog. The cafe was open and the internet was working. After a delicious lunch (avocado on fresh baked seeded rolls and a caprese salad), we settled in with our computers. Actually, we had to wait a few minutes to start work because, first, we learned there's smoking outside only (which sent us scurrying indoors); then were told we couldn't come in just yet because they had just sprayed the inside of the restaurant and we needed to wait until the fans had cleared the fumes.
Friday, whom you may remember from saving us when our car broke down on the side of the road, and then last year's epic struggle to bring that same car back to health and vitality, and the ultimate failure of that effort, arrived in our rented mini-van to take us to the airport. The flight was as close to on time as anyone could hope for. One by one our friends emerged from the customs/baggage claim area, and to a person reported their luggage had made the entire trip with them. Unheard of!
Our first group of friends arrive.
Unloading luggage at the house.
Back to the Big House for tea and snacks, during which Theresa and Simon stopped by to meet everyone and deliver the newly created shirt for our fire consultant friend. Then we were off for an ill-fated run to the ATM for kwacha and to ShopRite for travel food. The ATMs are beyond over-worked from the Trade Fair, and ShopRite was closed. Regrouping, we nipped into Pantry Pride and picked up the necessities to get the folks staying at Castle Lodge through the night. (Turns out Eunice arranged for them to have vegetarian lasagna made with fresh peas, carrots, green beans, and zucchini with sauteed vegetables on the side--voted "among the best we've ever tasted.") After settling them in, the rest of us returned to the Big House for our own feast of "sausages" scrambled in eggs. After 48 hours of airport and airplane food, the travelers declared it tasted pretty darned gourmet!
We made a plan for everyone to arrive at 8 o'clock the next morning. Friday would pick up the Castle Lodgers, Simon and Theresa would catch a taxi in from Mushili, and we in the Big House would have all provisions and ourselves ready to hop on the bus. Friday honked outside the gate at one minute past eight! We are setting all kinds of records here! Theresa and Simon drove in right behind him, and with a great bucket brigade of luggage, we loaded all our supplies into the back of our giant vehicle. Suddenly, with everything 14 people will need for 5 days aboard, it doesn't look so big.
Natasha and Brighton, Friday's children, came on the great adventure with us.
Boarding the bus.
On the road.
Natasha playing with some paper dolls we brought for her.
Off we go. Our goal is to get to Lusaka somewhere near the time Scott lands. No one can be sure how phones will respond so we didn't know if Scott would be able to contact us when he landed to let us know he was there, that he had his luggage, and where we could find him. The trip was much quicker than anticipated, due in large part to some excellent driving. You know, every culture has their own idea of what constitutes good driving. So, we just explained that we're nervous types who don't like passing up hills or around blind curves. We all reached agreement that those were the rules and away we went. We only had a couple of really exciting moments, the most notable of which was approaching a fire burning along the side of the road, obviously quickly picking up momentum. We could tell that if we stopped, we could be trapped there for a good long while. So we all began yelling, "Go, go, go," which our intrepid driver did! Accelerator to the floor, we raced through, feeling the heat of the flames through the closed windows.
The fire out the bus window.
Scott and Luke (uncle and nephew) greeting at the airport.
We made a quick stop at Lusaka's premier shopping center, the parking lot of which had been turned over to a giant crafts fair during the four-day holiday weekend. There was time for a little shopping, finding ATMs that would deliver kwacha, and sending emails home to let families know of safe arrivals before going to Assisi House where we would spend the night. We owe a great deal to Franciscan friends around the world, and our debt continues to grow. Father Don welcomed us like long-lost family, providing us with comfy, sparkling clean accommodations, tea and treats, and an encouragement to "feel at home." We do!
Our accommodation in Lusaka.
Relaxing at Assisi House.
A walk around the grounds, meditation, a tasty dinner, which included a delicious birthday cake for Luke--yep, 18 and celebrating with all of us in far-away Zambia. Then hot showers, and a good night's sleep, and we'll be ready to make the real trek: to Victoria Falls.
Walking the grounds.
The beautiful vegetable gardens.