March 5 "Birthday, Bikes, and Bold Adventures"

Today’s blog post is on reasons I like today:

1) First and foremost, I would like to wish the HAPPIEST BIRTHDAY EVER to my father dear who is sitting in Appleton at this very moment. No day, no surprise party this year; I can’t fly home for that like I drove home last time. But happy birthday anyway. J

2) The second reason I like today is that today was the first day we had a chance to sleep in. Unfortunately, my body is accustomed to arising at 5 to turn on the water heater and then again by 6:30 to get ready. Well, I did a bit better today, but I was up around both those times and finally just woke up at 8:30. I had some great reading time this morning while T was sleeping though. J Like I said, I’m obsessed with the book.

3) I had a stroke of genius today and remembered that D&D have bikes that we can borrow. So borrow them we did! We rode about 10K in the hot sun, and consequently, my farmer tan is coming along quite nicely. One leg of our journey was through a compound on a dirt road and little kids came running out to wave to the “Mzungu;” we’re such novelties here. But they are definitely surprised when we speak a little Chewa to them. J I always feel so welcomed wherever I go because everyone is always waving and saying hello to everyone. That’s the biggest difference I’ve seen between Zambia and America; Zambians are generally friendlier.

4) After the bike ride, we adventured again on the minibus into town for a showing of Tangled. It was really cute. We only had 35 minutes to make it to the movie because we were stopped by SB about a fun activity on Monday for class, but we made it on time, only missing the first few minutes. It was a pretty quick speed walk to the bus stop, though! After the movie, we went to Rhapsody’s a posh restaurant at Arcades (I had to use that word. It’s been all over my book.) Yummy Italian food and a yummy woo woo to drink. J It was POURING while we were eating—outside, yet still enclosed with a roof—but it let up a bit for the ride and walk back home.

5) The final reason I like today is because we got things accomplished. Upon returning to the campus, we did our laundry, lesson planned 75% of Monday’s lessons, ate cake, got caught up on everything electronically, talked to loved ones at home, and even had some time to read! What a wonderful day, even if it was pretty main stream. J