Lusaka Happenings

The past month has been full of running around and completing basic life errands. Even the simplest of tasks can take all day. Of course this was true in the village, but who knew it stood true in the big city too! The major accomplishments this month have been buying a motorcycle and a car, figuring out electricity, and trying to establishing a bit of "normalcy." These things were not as staightforward as they sound....


For the past few weeks, Joey has been getting to know our taxi driver,  "Uncle Lewis", very well. He has been going to his office at IAPRI almost every day. Three weeks ago Joey inquired about a used Honda motorcycle. There was one available and it seemed promising! However, it wasn't quite as simple as we had hoped. After several trips to the Honda dealership, multiple calls to the "boss",  2 break-downs and 2 repairs,  he finally has his transportation! The motorcycle will primarily be used to visit tomato farmers in their fields, but it also helps give Joey the freedom to get to and from his office without relying on taxis. Finally getting the motorcycle was a big accomplishment!

Stephen and I have also been relying on taxis since we arrived. The third day we were in Zambia, we found a used CRV for sale that seemed perfect for our needs here. Again, not that simple. The couple selling the car needed it until May 7th. After looking into a few other vehicles, we decided this CRV was worth the wait. Just like the motorcycle, it has taken nearly a month of visiting mechanics, applying for permits, getting police reports, car insurance, and road tax paid in order to have the car in our name. Today is the day the car is officially ours and we can finally move as we please!

We also had to figure out how to setup electricity  (something we certainly didn't think about in the village!). The way electricity works in the city is by purchasing units. You simply go to one of several "Zestco" posts (the only electric company) and buy units of power. You monitor your usage and "top up" when it is getting low. One evening last week the entire country lost power for several hours. Since arriving we have lost power for a few hours here and there, but we never experienced an entire country black out. The power was off from about 6pm-10am in our unit. Our water is run by a pump, which requires electricity, so we also had no water. When the power eventually came back on, the bathroom faucet was unfortunately left "up" and when we were heading upstairs we found the bathroom sink running full blast t and 2 inches of standing water all over the bathroom and bedroom floor! Never a dull moment around here. We quickly gathered up all the towels we could find and an hour later the floor was mopped up and drying out. We were VERY lucky nothing was left on the floor as things often are around here.


Besides getting our transportation and electricity straightened out, we have also been finding our groove here. Joey has been meeting with several tomato farmers in and around town which has been great, and just recently he met with his former Peace Corps Program Director who was a big help. Stephen and I have been meeting other moms in the area from all over the world and we have been attending a "bouncy baby" class each week where we sing songs, play with instruments and meet other babies around the same age. We also made it to church last week, which was nice to see. Stephen has gained 2 new teeth since we arrived, is now eating cheerios, toast and crackers and staring to show signs of being mobile! He continues to thrive here!

One of the common Bemba expressions used in Zambia is "panono, panono" meaning "slowly, slowly." After this first month back, we certainly have been reminded of this lesson. Things just happen to move slowly, slowly and you do your best to smile and know you will get there eventually!

Stephen ordering lunch at Sugarbush Cafe

Another picture at Sugarbush Cafe

Reading with Daddy on the veranda

Resting in his Zambian nursery

Hanging out outside of church

Taking a swim with Mama

Such a happy boy!

We're Back!

The Goebs are back in Zambia! Exactly 3 years after we said goodbye to Zambia as experienced Peace Corps Volunteers, we have returned. Only this time we are staying in Lusaka (the capital) with our son, Stephen! We are so thrilled to be back and sharing Zambia with our son.

After 37 long hours of travel from Lansing to Detroit to Baltimore to DC to Dakar, Senegal to Johannesburg, South Africa to Lusaka, Zambia, we made it to our temporary home! No one slept very much on any of our flights, but we made it in one piece! (And so did ALL our luggage! 7 checked pieces..it was a miracle.) 

The day after our arrival, Sunday, April 5th, our nanny/lifesaver, Staaz, came over and showed us around our new apartment and neighborhood. She helped us figure out how to pay for electricity, how to set up the Internet and where to find the closest nshima restaurant! (Turns out there is one literally right next door to us.) Staaz will be helping us with the cooking and with Stephen Monday-Friday, 9:00-4:00. She is wonderful with Stephen and is adventures with cooking! We also met Mwila on Tuesday, April 7th, who will be helping us 3 times a week keeping the clothes laundered and the house clean! She is also great with Stephen and we so appreciate our "team" helping to make life so smooth here!

The apartment we found has been working out well. We are subletting it until the end of July from a German woman and Canadian man who are in Germany for the birth of their second child. It is a 2 bedroom, 1 bath and has a nice veranda and garden area outside. It is certainly not a "new build" as there are many "quirks" to it, but we feel grateful to have found it. It is FULLY furnished (including a crib, high-chair, pack n'play and play rug for Stephen) and we have been enjoying their awesome french press and bread maker. It is in a compound with 5 other apartments and so far we have met 2 other neighbors who are very friendly (one is Zambian and the other is Indian). There is also a community pool which Joey has put to use every day since we arrived!

We have now been in Lusaka for about 2 weeks and we are slowly finding our routine. Joey has been waking up early and taking a cab to his office at IAPRI (Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute). He has a nice set-up there with a desk, phone and a hot lunch of nshima everyday. He has a lot to do, but he is working hard and the progress will come. I am currently sitting at a lovely cafe just a 10 minute walk from the apartment. Tomorrow I am having a "play date" with another American mom here with her 1 year old daughter. She has been living in Lusaka for 9 years and will be a huge help in helping me find my way here.  Stephen is learning how to live without his swing (it's been a little rough during nap times without it...) but he is just thriving! He loves Mwila and Staaz and they love him right back. He is eating new foods (butternut squash, avocado from the tree just outside our backdoor, green beans and bananas) and learning how to use his walker. It is just amazing watching him grow so much every day! Life really is slower here and I'm enjoying having time to just admire how special our son is.

In some ways life here feels like the Zambia we remember, but in other ways, living in Lusaka is a very unique and different experience. We both miss the quiet, beautiful, fresh air of the bush, but we are grateful to be close to supermarkets and Internet access. Each day brings new experiences and we both feel this is already a remarkable family adventure. So much more to come....