Home again ...

I have been a bad blogger. I am going to blame it entirely on the less than useless state of the Internet in Zimbabwe. My most sincere apologies to our faithful followers - I will give you the cliff notes version to get you up to speed.

In Lusaka:

• Met my Dad's wife Royda, and her extended friends and family
• hung out at a camp on the outskirts of the city - both stunned at the contrast to SE Asia. Quiet, peaceful  - could actually hear the birds, insects and wind in the trees. Also rudely surprised by the onset of winter, and the chill compared to the 35+ degree heat and humidity of Bangkok.
• Experienced the Zambian marriage ceremony matebeto for the first time prepared for Dad  - a very special experience. Briefly:
• It is a ceremony where the women in the family of the bride-to-be (it is often family and friends) cook food from the culture of their tribe for the family, friends, and guests of the groom-to-be. This tradition is usually held for marriages between two different ethnic groups or tribes. It is supposed to ensure that the husband doesn't get offended or upset when his wife brings him a dish he has never seen or eaten before. So the women stay up for a long time preparing pots and pots of food for others to consume at the event. Oddly, the bride is not invited, and the brides family don't stay to eat the food they worked so hard to prepare.
• Re-united with my old motorbike
• Visited Dustin at Zambikes - If you are a bike lover, you will not be disappointed with these beautiful frames. Bamboo, with a bit of hemp to wrap it all together. I am saving up for 2!
• Went to a mexican restaurant 

In Zimbabwe:

• Had to bribe my way into Zimbabwe in order to correct some paperwork
• Got home for Mother's Day (first time in decades I think)
• Met my niece Nazya for the first time just before she turned 1, then had a party!
• Climbed Domboshawa to watch the sunset
• Went to visit extended family Pauline out at Kumusha (the village)! 
• Had to bribe my way through another Police roadblock to correct some more paperwork - this time they actually gave me a receipt

Now, sitting in Lusaka preparing to go up to Mwinilunga for a fishing trip with Dad. We will be on the river for 6 days. Monica is a little concerned about the crocs, rapids, spiders... She is in good hands.

P.S. I don't condone bribing, and am sad to talk about Zimbabwe, my home, and corruption together. That is a topic for another day.

Sexy Bamboo Bikes

Entertainment at Dad's matebeto

Soo much food

Dad gets his groove on

Nazya

Climbing Domboshawa to watch the sunset

Family portrait - Nazya wants the champers

World's Best Babysitter

African sunset

Visiting Kumusha

How does this work?

No money, No honey

World's toughest bike gang member