Zambian highlights

These pictures make Lusaka look calmer than it really is, but these have been a few of my favorite things so far. There are kittens where I'm staying. This one likes my bed. I've tossed him out three times this morning, and he comes straight back each time, hops up onto my bed and resumes his bath. And he purrs, as if that's going to convince me it's fine. I actually don't mind him being there, except that he's only 3 months old and I've been told he occasionally forgets to notice if he needs to use the facilities. I'd prefer he not forget while he's in my room. Next up, lovely evenings! The sunsets and evenings here really are beautiful. Those dirt roads get muddy, though, with all this heavy rain. The last two nights, the rain has been loud enough to wake me a few times, and it's been raining all day so far. I lent my umbrella to my assistant yesterday, and I forgot to bring my rain jacket, so I guess I'm staying in for a while today. Flowers in bloom are also a bright spot in Zambia this time of year. I'm sure I appreciate their colors more since I came in from winter's white and brown. And finally, good things to eat. Always make friends with the cook--especially if he's a particularly competent one. He might bring you steaming dishes of nshima, duck and vegetables, or add chocolate to his weekly shopping list just because he knows you want some. :)