Boat cruise

February 5

Hi all!

First off, I am feeling loads better. I finished my course of Cipro, rehydrated with my newly rediscovered Gastrolyte, and have attributed my mystery cough to aggrevated asthma. I feel like a person again!

Now for the real story. Yesterday was our boat cruise. Ronny (among our favourite nurses here) had been bouncing around Lewanika General Hospital for the past few days selling tickets to the ZUNO (Zambian Union of Nurses Association) - Canadian Nurses Fundraiser (with free braii!).

|Time: 10.00hrs - til late
|Venue: Boat at the harbour on the -
|Date: Saturday 4th February 2012
|Charges: ZMK 50,000.00
|N.B: Funds (emergency trays) to be donated to Lewanika General Hospital

When Saturday finally rolled in, we all got snazzed up and took minibuses down to the harbour. Like most things, the harbour wasn't quite what I had expected. It was an oblong mouth of water that looked like a small pond (wherever the river went, it was obscured by wild grasses) and was dotted with boats from another era. They were rusted, antique-looking, and several of them had sunk perilously deep into the water.

We stood around awkwardly, dressed in the best that we had brought, among locals who were curious about our presence. Soon, Jess and Jessica arrived and led us toward our boat. Again, not quite what I was expecting! It was a rectangular covered barge with a long line of benches on either side and a large red container in the middle that we presumed was full of drinks.

I took count as we sat down and found that there were 24 of us on board. That meant that there was still room for 26 more! Though we were punctual, we found ourselves waiting. Ten minutes, half an hour, an hour, two hours. Finally, everyone was on board and we were off.

The boat lazily bobbed away from the shore and slowly navigated us upshore. It didn't take long for all of us to start mingling. There were a few doctors and their wives, a number of nurses, and the harbour master aboard. Soon, the big red cooler was open, drinks were being served (just K5000!), and everyone was having a good time. Everyone took a stab at the elaborate sound system but a faulty connector prevented us from playing anything.

A few hours breezed by and we docked (read: crashed) into the river bank. We were encouraged to carefully disembark and take a walk. I was told that this area was a desert; beneath all of the wild grasses was arid sand. Stepping into the sunshine was like opening the oven to check your McCain's pizza, peering in a little too far, and falling inside. It was hot.

We walked in a long line down the sand bar toward a town and the Lozi King's Winter Palace. Eventually we arrived but found that we wouldn't be allowed to enter without more notice. In spite of our unexpected drop-in, several dignitaries set up a meeting with the doctors and they had a lengthy meeting. After some time, we (as a group) were invited over to the meeting and the representative from the King explained that, because of protocol, we would not be able to visit the palace at this time.

With the sun falling closer to the horizon, we walked back to the boat and embarked yet again. Somehow, a new sound setup had arrived and, before we knew it, we were listening (and soon dancing) to a great mix of local and English music. Our friends were eager to teach us how to dance (properly!)

Step 1: With legs close together, bend at the knees
Step 2: With arms bent, move them back and forth
Step 3: ?
Step 4: ?

Actually, our dance lessons (both of them!) were interupted at this point but we must have caught on because nobody pointed and laughed!

Although I danced a bit without encouragement, when I sat down, I was pulled back up a few times. I quickly had to learn this thigh-destroying dance move that suddenly became all the rage among the men. Two guys would closely meet around the center and would squat lower and lower to the floor together. Then, at the very bottom, they would raise back up. I only observed this once before I was dragged in. I must have done okay because I'm pretty sure I heard cheering over the blood rushing to my face, haha!

And then, before we knew it, we were back on dock, crashing into the bank. I disembarked, headed to Oasis for a bite, and came back for some great games of crib with Susie and Rachel. It was a great night!