Hello to all,
It is our second day here in Zimbabwe and I must say it is not at all like I expected. Yesterday we arrived at sunrise and were met by a wonderful person who scooped us up, beginning our experience of being well looked after. He and his wife have offered us an apartment with two bedrooms (there are four of us here with Canadian Crossroads) for our use while here in Harare, until the end of the week. We had tea and went and registered at the Canadian High Commission. I decided to wait until the next day to visit the US embassy. We changed money to Zimbabwe dollars with the help of our host and walked around the city a bit. It was about 4 in the afternoon when we first heard of the WTC attack. Our apartment has a TV with two channels so we had the opportunity to hear and watch as things unfolded.
It is VERY weird to be here with all of this going on in the USA. People here are fearful of the broader implications for the world. We are removed, but then again not removed from it all. Last night I told TA that I wasn't sure if what I was feeling was culture shock, or just out and out shock.
So after taking in as much news as was available last night, we went to bed, waking to watch more TV. Our hostess picked us up to see more around the city. Our plans change frequently because things take longer than planned, or our hunger clocks go off at odd times, or our hosts have school and work lives so they aren't just at our beck and call. Anyway, just being here is a good adjustment to life in Zimbabwe. We hear from people here about things we have just read about, etc., etc. It is wonderful, overwhelming, frightening, exciting, fun and boring all at once. Just a typical first day of interacting in a new world. I can't believe I am in AFRICA!
I think tomorrow we are going to visit a lion and cheetah park. That will really make it seem like another continent!!
We are in Harare until sometime this weekend when TA and I will go to Mutare. I think by that time I will have had enough of such a huge city, and be ready for a slightly slower and less complex pace of life.
In the meantime, there is much to see and do and learn about here.
Love to all,
Liz
