Senanga.

I survived my first trip in the field.  Barely.  Okay, so it wasn’t quite that dramatic but it certainly was an adventure.  I wasn’t sure what to expect going into the week but, well, I don't even know if there are words.  On our first day after we met with staff from the District Health Office we set out to visit our first health center (and in case you are wondering the difference between a health center and a health post is simply the level of services offered).  After disembarking from the tar road maybe 20 or 30km from the town of Senanga on what didn’t even look like a path in the sand we started making our way to the health center.  I commented that I would have never been able to find this center again if my life depended on it (as we were bouncing through the bush on an incredibly sandy path – imagine driving along the ocean on beach type sand...except sandier).  There was a moment of silence and then everyone started laughing.  “This isn’t remote!"  was the comment from my peers. “We are barely in the bush.”  Little did I know how right they were…

The next several days were spent being thrown around in a Land Cruiser (thank goodness we were in a vehicle with 4 wheel drive) as we visited these rural health centers and posts.  One day we traveled over 10 hours and we only made it to 2 centers.  And, yet, when we would get to these centers there would be people lined up waiting to receive medical services or get their HIV drugs (most having walked for hours or sometimes days).  It was truly a humbling experience.  These centers provide a lifeline for the Zambians who live in these rural communities.  I am still contemplating what it would mean to live such a remote existence.  I don’t know that I can even begin to imagine even after having a very, very limited view into what life is like through my Peace Corps service in South Africa.  It doesn’t even compare to what I've seen so far.

I have a few pictures which I've put up if you'd like to take a look although they don't really do it justice.  The one of the man holding a lizard like creature is my favorite.  We just ran into him in the middle of the bush - he was herding some cows and had killed this creature and was planning on making a meal of it - yummy.

https://plus.google.com/photos/108740867339265842929/albums/5813573151092235217

(I'm having some trouble with my pictures link to the right...hopefully the link above will work!)

Speaking of meals, I hope everyone is enjoying a Thanksgiving meal surrounded by friends and family today.  While I am not officially celebrating I am thinking of you all (and I must admit I wish I was eating some tofurkey and pie).  Alas, I will have to settle for nshima and veggies.  

Happy Thanksgiving!