Elephant Charge.

I recently participated in the 2017 Elephant Charge.  I didn’t know what I was getting into when my friend asked me to participate in this annual event that takes place to raise money for wildlife conservation here in Zambia.  I thought it would be a fun weekend get-away camping with friends as we drove around on some dirt roads in the bush.  Well, turns out the whole event is a bit more extreme than I anticipated (and it also turns out that I am much more suited for activities where my feet are planted firmly on the ground).  The objective is to drive the shortest distance through a set of checkpoints in a set amount of time and finish without tipping over your car, getting stuck, or dying (well, you get my point).  I'm happy to report our team did actually finish and win a small prize (we were a new team with the shortest distance).  After a bit of reflection (and being so thankful to be alive) I have to admit it was sorta fun.  

This whole event is done every year to raise money for wildlife conservation in Zambia so if you are interested in donating please visit the website (www.elephantcharge.org) and donate through our team (Hard Okra).  

And you can see some of our pics over there to the right...

Practicing Gratitude.

I feel really lucky that this is my life.  Not that I don’t have frustrations but when I step back and look at the opportunity I’ve been given, how can I be anything other than grateful?  Here are a few pictures from this weekend where we went to a lodge just a few hours away from Lusaka (www.royalzambezilodge.com) and saw some amazing animals, practiced a little yoga and spent lots of time relaxing.  

  

Mom and Dad in Zambia.

Over the Easter holiday my parents came for a visit.  My mom visited me when I lived in South Africa but this was my dad’s first time in Africa.  I was trying to remember my feelings the first time I came to Africa and it was both exciting and, frankly, sorta scary.  After living here for so long it seems silly to even admit because it’s just so normal now but when you have no idea what to expect, scary is understandable...another language (although luckily Zambia makes it pretty easy with that), the landscape, different currency, driving on the wrong side of the road.  Everything is just a little different especially when you haven't experienced it before?  Well, I’m proud to say that both of my parents are now quite comfortable and seem to like my little home here in Zambia.  I mean I didn’t expect that they wouldn’t but I have to admit that I was a bit stressed out because, well, I love this place so much and wanted them to like it as much as I do. 

We visited the mighty Victoria Falls which was crazy full due to the high amounts of rainfall this year.  My mom even braved walking across the Knife Edge Bridge and we got “misted” (or rather drenched) with lots and lots of water.  My father loved watching the monkeys try to scope out ways to steal food from the tables every morning at the lodge.  The drive to and from Livingstone was also an adventure as my parents learned that all roads are not created equal.  Potholes, people and many not so well-behaved trucks adorned the road.  We survived the trip though with only a flat tire and then decided to fly to our next destination in the eastern part of Zambia.  South Luangwa National Park did not disappoint.  We saw all kinds of animals including wild dogs, elephants, leopards (my parents can tell you about their exciting experience of seeing a leopard kill an impala and drag it up a tree), lions and soooo many baboons.  I mean hundreds of them.  It was a special Easter weekend. 

I also just dragged them around Lusaka to meet my friends and experience my everyday “normal” life.  We went to dinner with friends, a birthday party “braai”, and just lounged around my flat.  It was nice for them to know that my life here in Zambia is pretty normal.  I think they enjoyed it so much that they might even come back for another visit someday??  Although braving the 30+ hour travel probably will keep them away for a while.  Thanks, mom and dad, for making the trek!  And…I love you.  

Indian Weddings and One Night (okay, several nights) in Bangkok.

I went to India for the first time over the Christmas holiday.  It was amazing.  Maybe it was because I went for a friend’s wedding and was surrounded by a fantastic group of people (plus I got to see two wonderful people say "I do" or at least I think that’s what they said since the actual wedding ceremony was in Hindi).  There was something about the vibrancy, organized chaos, intensity, food, people.  Sadly, I didn’t have as much time as I would have liked to enjoy the city of Mumbai so I definitely will be back.  The wedding really was the main focus of my visit although we managed to do a bit of sightseeing.  The friend who got married had lived in Zambia a few years ago so there were a few of us that represented her "Zambian days."  She was kind enough to prepare a “Survival Kit” for those of us who were attending an Indian wedding for the first time.  It included information about the traditional ceremonies and what to expect at each one (this was very helpful).  I’ll give you a brief rundown:

Sangeet ceremony is a wedding tradition observed in India that involves singing, dancing and music. The sangeet with the mehndi ceremony, which is the ritual of applying henna (mehndi) to the bride in preparation for the wedding itself were combined at this wedding.  

Wedding ceremony is the main ceremony, the priest, groom, bride and bride's parents sit beneath a mandap, a canopy similar to a Jewish chuppah. The ceremony starts off with the kanya daan, in which the bride's parents give her away. Then the couple joins hands and circles around a small, enclosed fire (the agni) in a ritual called the phera. Then the couple will take the saptapadi, or seven steps, as they vow to support each other and live happily together. Finally, the groom will apply a red powder to the center of the bride's forehead and tie a necklace around her neck, symbolizing she's now a married woman.

Reception ceremony is celebrated after the main wedding. It is the first public appearance of the newlywed couple after their marriage and is sort of a grand party. This is a celebration time for both the families as they rejoice over their new accord. Reception parties are laid with sumptuous food to treat the guests.

We had a grand time enjoying and being part of all of these events and embraced every minute including wearing our traditional Indian attire!  Oh, and one of my favorite parts?!  The chai masala tea.  I mean I loved chai tea before but this?!  Sigh.  So, so good.   

I was also able to squeeze in some time in Thailand which was equally pretty great.  For the past several years I have traveled for New Year’s with my friend Heather to random places across the world.  This year we met in Thailand and I got to meet her and her husband's new baby girl (she is the adorable baby in all of the pictures).  We spent some time enjoying the beaches near Krabi…this was before everyone got food poisoning (except me since luckily I don't eat seafood, thank goodness)!  But after everyone recovered we flew from Krabi to Bangkok.  I wish I also had more time in Bangkok. While, yes, the pollution was terrible everything else was wonderful.  The city was vibrant and loud and the shopping was fantastic.  So many places I want to go back to and also to visit for the first time?  How does one fit all this traveling into such a short lifetime?  

I hope all my friends and family had a wonderful holiday and am wishing you all a happy, happy 2017!