Friday was a whirlwind of juxtaposed formal protocol & frantic technical sleuthing.
Zamnet proved very limiting in internet access; things were excruciatingly slow (I expect it was because so many Zambians were attempting to log into the election-results website; it crashed election night (Thurs) "due to overload").
The fun parts of Friday were:
- corresponding with Nzola in the field via REM; I have to admit - it was a thrill to actually use REM to convey critical information that is otherwise totally unavailable!
- REM to internet and watching actual user (not test) e-mails go to/from internet & REM sites
- attending a ZFDS formal dinner given in honour of REM project
The less fun parts of Friday were:
- taking bus back to Lusaka, and taxi back to Barn Motel; the taxi was my first experience of being conned; they quoted one price, then demanded another at the destination (moral: always have small bills so that change is not required)
- Big oops; I misread a 5,000 Kwacha note as 50,000; so I’m 45,000 short; no supper tonight or breakfast tomorrow; have to save the rest (K15,000 = Cd$4.50) for the ride to airport (which ZFDS had arranged thru motel for me, for K30,000) They were gracious, believing my mistake, but not pleased…
- getting chewed up by mosquitoes at motel (there was no breeze Fri; like there had been on Wed); when I finally woke up - literally - to the fact; I got up and used the mosquito net; even though it did not fit the bed at all.
Flying back to London 30-Sep-06:
Alarm went off at 03:30; had to be at airport by 04:30. Breakfast was the last couple fruit bars from Shoprite (from S Africa); with chunks of pineapple; they’re delicious.
Uneventful flight from Lusaka to London; this was my first time flying this segment during daylight. Fascinating to look out at contrast of monochromatic green Congo basin (with a brown river every so often; never a road) vs the ever changing orange/ brown/ white hues of Sahara desert & mountains. Passing the odd military airfield over Tunisia was interesting (one can see the roads stretching “forever”). Mediterranean coast & islands appeared well populated. I looked forward to seeing France for first time, but the coast of Europe coincided with a cloud bank which did not break until approach to Heathrow… sigh.
