On the move.

I decided it was time to move out of Jedone’s . Not just because of the washing out of a bucket, though lord knows I was getting fed up with that, but I just didn’t think the home stay was what it should be. I think if Jedone had not been ill it would have been a bit better but as Jedone was more and more out of the picture, I was feeling more and more isolated. His brothers and kids didn’t speak that much English and I got a bit of a mixed response from them. I also felt that boundaries from a professional point were also getting blurred, particularly from the money side. I seemed to be dipping in to my own money quite a bit over and above the personal donation I gave them to cover my expenses - including buying food for the entire family on several occasions. I have been in turmoil a few times about the right thing to do, but I think moving out is for the best, I did feel that volunteer support was turning in to a way for Jedone to help support his family, which is not really how it should be and puts mental pressure on the volunteer, aka me!!

In some ways I am still glad I did stay there, as it certainly gave me an insight in to the real Zambia. (Lots or people was out of buckets here and don’t have toilet seats!). Would I do a home stay again – hmmm, probably not! Although my advice to anyone who was thinking of working abroad would be if you do want to see a bit of the real life in that country then do give home stay with a local a try if you get the opportunity, but make sure you have a get out clause! I would suggest booking accommodation from e.g. at least half way through your stay, that way if it is not working out you can move on with ease, and if it is working you can always cancel your reservation.


Getting somewhere to stay is proving a bit troublesome, well at least getting somewhere nice is. All the best places (off which there are not many) are booked up. The place I wanted to stay, which is one of the more expensive places, the Sherbourne, can only take me for about 5 of my remaining nights. I have a couple of nights in the Pamo Lodge first – but it is a bit grim, the only plus point is it has hot running water and a shower – yippee. Had my first shower today for about a week and a half and boy did I enjoy it.

I spent some time in the bar in the Sherbourne last night on the way back to my current lodge - only off course so I could take advantage of their wireless internet and nothing to do with the lovely glasses of chilled white wine I could get!! However, I had just got to the point when I thought I ought to make my way to the Pamo lodge, which is only about 5 or 10 minutes away, when the thunder and lightning started – followed by the torrential rain. So I gave up and decided I may as well have dinner there. Veggie choices, as with everywhere in Zambia, were not brilliant, but I ordered a vegetarian curry, and off course another wee glass of vino. I all but licked the plate. I think it would be fair to say that it is the only meal I have actually really enjoyed since I got here. I can’t begin to say how many dull bland meals I have literally forced myself to keep eating, just because I needed to eat. Then there was the time when I was literally spitting out bits of glass, which supposedly had been in the beans they had made at Jedones. He did complain to his brother about buying cheap beans, but other than that it seemed like it was a pretty normal occurrence to have glass in your meal!! Unfortunately as a consequence of the food I have taken to filling up with rubbish! Biscuits galore, crisps and so much coke – I hardly ever drink coke at home but think I am becoming addicted to it out here!! So think I have just lost out on the opportunity to lose a few pounds!!

Anyway I digress (think I have also become obsessed with food as well as plumbing and hygiene since I got here!). So when the rain eventually dies down a bit I go back to my latest abode and go to my room. There is a TV in the room, with a two pin plug and only a double 3 pin socket which was already in use for the fridge and air conditioning unit (and of course was hanging out of the wall as is standard here). There are cups and tea bags but no kettle and there were no towels. So, feeling decidedly fed up and fuelled by 3 glasses of oh so lovely wine, I toddle (or was it more of a march) over to reception. Now I have to say I have met some wonderful welcoming people in Zambia, but they just don’t do customer service very well. I had only got to the bit about moaning over a TV you can’t plug in when she sighed and said in a surly tone” I will come and plug it in for you”. Like – do I look like someone who can’t plug a TV in!!! Anyway off we went back to my room, and surprise, surprise there was nowhere to plug the TV in. So off she disappears, eventually returning with an extension lead (still 3 pin but they often ram two pin plugs in to 3 pin sockets over here). The kettle and a towel (notice the use of the singular for the towel, no going mad on laundry out here) arrived about 10 minutes later. By the time she had returned I had discovered, the TV only had one channel, which the receptionist informed me was controlled by them at reception. I mean what is the point....!!!!!

Reluctantly had to pay for another night this morning - roll on the luxury of the Sherourne. Although I may be found hanging around their bar again tonight – to use the internet of course!!