Some pics from my new home...

A few pics from my new home! Here is my house...

Standing next to the biggest of many termite mounds around the place

And here is me and Nikki in the office of the men's ward, which also doubles as a treatment room and staff room...

Nikki in the office

Some expired products I found in the stock - better than nothing! And probably donated... lot's of room for improvement, potential for a "pimp my ward" campaign!

Bartholemew, a long-term patient, such a cutie. Check out the size of his jandal!

Arrived in Kalene!

I am SO excited to now be in Kalene!
My new home consists of a house which is simple but relatively modern, with everything I need, electricity, running water, a small fridge.. the walls and floors are concrete to keep the place cool. There are currently 2 young kiwi ladies staying there with me, so it really does feel homely!

I wasn't sure what exactly I'd be doing until I arrived here. But now I know that I will spend the first week or 2 here at the mission, learning the ropes of running the men's ward, before heading to the village for some language learning. When I get back, Nikki, who's currently charge of the men's ward, will have returned home to NZ, and I will take over as charge nurse.

I took a flight with the CMML flight service, on this little single engine cessna, the smallest plane I've ever been in. Here's a few pics!

Yes I'm excited to be flying in a cessna!Not for the weak stomached...

Here's a short video of the flight to Kalene - it's a bit noisy! I was very appreciative of those headphones....

Leaving Lusaka

All things came together for good, my nursing registration is sorted, praise God! Tomorrow I fly by charter plane to Kalene, I can't wait! I'll spend the first few weeks at Hillwood learning Lunda, the local language and culture.

Here's a few pics from Lusaka...

Me with Godfreda and Natasha

The girls, Godfreda, Eliza, and Natasha

Francis, the girls, and 2 of their friends

Group photo!

The famous female anopheline mosquito, the carrier or malaria - caught in my room!!

I'm a millionaire! Here lies 102300 kwacha worth about US$20

Arrived in Lusaka!

I arrived in Lusaka on Thursday afternoon, after an exciting landing in a rain storm (the pilot pulled out of the first attempt to land due to poor visibility). Then a long story short, I got into a taxi with the wrong person, but luckily worked it out before getting too far! Now staying with some lovely people, the brother and sister-in-law of a friend from work back home in NZ. They have been very hospitable.

Am enjoying the sights and sounds of Africa! ... hundreds outside the high court singing, lots of curious eyes as I drive past, one man yelled "Hey! White girl!" As I sit here in the internet cafe there's a group singing and dancing and drumming outside. I spent yesterday afternoon playing with the children of the servants at the house where I'm staying, they giggled like crazy! At one point I had 5 pairs of hands playing curiously with my hair, and they sat and stared and questioned and commented "your skin is red" "your hair is nice" "you have a moustache" "bring your children tomorrow so we can play with them" etc etc. So I am enjoying it!!!

I leave for Kalene on Thursday, subject to my nursing registration interview being done by then. This depends on some documentation they need from NZ. If there is a delay in getting that, then I may have to delay my departure. Very annoying, and as a result of my own oversight!

No photos as yet, as my camera is over-exposing so won't take any pictures outside.

Visiting Cape Town

I took the opportunity to make a stop in Cape Town for 5 days and see some friends, as well as recover from my jetlag (the worst I've experienced). I had a lovely time in this beautiful city. Here's a few pics from my visit.

Me with Lindo, who lives with my friend Joelle

Holding a tiny lizard that Lindo found

Happy to see my friend Amelia again!

Amelia and her gorgeous kids. I also had a video of the girls dancing, but Caitlin wasn't dressed enough to post it in a public place! They are so cute!


This is a video of me and Lindo going down a massive waterslide that they had at their church picnic, so fun! And I'm sure they wouldn't allow this in NZ! So many kids flew right off the end and several landed on their head! No injuries though, they just bounced :o)


Unfortunately it was about now that my camera decided to play up on me and I didn't manage to get any more photos. I also had a fun time with Chris, visiting the botanical gardens, and walking up Lion's Head - Cape Town is such a beautiful city!