... and that's because that's when we left this, our home in the Eastern Province of Zambia. And now we have returned, 4 months later. Everything is green and overgrown here at the College and it is very, very quiet. They have only slashed the necessary bits, leaving the bush in between untouched. It was quite a shock to see the Zwemstras' driveway hidden by long grass and realize that they won't be our neighbors anymore. Our colleagues Phil and Marjanne have not returned yet, which means that it is just ourselves and a few staff and their families around.
Thankfully, no snakes or other creepy-crawlies have manifested themselves in our home yet, and I pray that continues to be the case! We have installed two more "bug zappers" in the house and are taking every precaution against mosquitoes.
Our travels went smoothly and we arrived safely with all 7 checked bags, a double stroller and assorted carry-ons intact. The last 2 days have been spent in Lusaka where we were shopping for furnishings for our house and other necessities. Today we drove the 5 hours to our home and now the unpacking has begun. The living room looks like a bombshell went off as I am sorting everyone's clothing out and categorizing the things we brought over from the States and the UK. Our house is pretty much empty except for 4 folding camp chairs and a coffee table which is currently functioning as our "dining table." We will be putting in an order at the local carpenter's this week for a dining table and chairs, and we will be getting a 4-piece living room suite sometime in the next month, which is very exciting!
Elijah definitely remembers this place and he was very excited to be home. I will be so happy when he feels settled and secure again. (Note: since being in Scotland for 10 days, he has started saying "tea" and even pretending to pour and serve it -- very properly!) Ketzia is growing like a weed and is still sleeping amazingly well. She is a very settled, content little baby and the travel didn't bother her one bit!
I am remembering how much I did NOT miss the heat here. I've just been sweating buckets since we arrived, and this month isn't even the hottest time of year! It is definitely hot, and humid, and stormy, but the peak of the heat is October-December. Speaking of the rain, please be praying that the rainy season will improve. Thus far it has been a very disappointing rainy season and not nearly good enough to give the crops the necessary water.
Our dogs, Merry and Saurus, are still alive and were delighted to see us. Sadly, Saurus is skin-and-bones and seems very subdued and rather unhappy, so we are going to try to get him to pack on the pounds, and we are probably going to take him to the vet this week to make sure he's not sick with anything. Merry has gotten taller since we left and is still his happy, clever, bouncy self who follows us from room to room, curious about everything.
I think this is a reasonable update for now... just wanted to catch up on this neglected blog of mine and say the travel is OVER! And we will be enjoying settling back into our home and preparing for the next term which starts 21st February.
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