Arrived in one piece...more-or-less!
I arrived in Zim a few days ago, Monday to be exact. And although I arrived in one piece, not all of my things did! Having spent a fortune (small fortune!!) on excess baggage at Cape Town International Airport (did they seriously expect me to get all my things down to 23kgs??!!) my bags arrived in tatters at Johannesburg International. You can imagine my horror when I grabbed my bag and saw my degree and other important documents hanging out through holes in the fabric!! I was on my way to "real Africa" and already my luggage looked like it had been mauled by wild animals!
However, the luggage damage was not without its perks - they quickly gave me a new suitcase (far superior to my canvas bag, I might add) and sent me off with instructions that I was not to pay any additional excess baggage charges! So after wiping some hemp foot lotion off my new high heels, and hurriedly repacking all my things into another fancy suitcase, I made my way to the departure lounge and - much shopping later - was off to Zimbabwe.
Again, I'm not organized enough yet (technology-wise...and that's another story completely!) to get my photos uploaded, but as we passed over Kipling's "great, grey, green, greasy Limpopo river" I marveled at how the river creates a natural carving through the dry earth and divides South Africa from Zimbabwe. I also thought about all those desperate Zimbabweans who risk their lives crossing that river, seeking a better life in South Africa. I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I had my doubts as we crossed the border, but those doubts were quickly put to rest once I arrived in Harare.
I was met by a dear friend from Arundel, who willingly used precious petrol to pick me up from the airport. It felt "right" being back in this country, despite the obvious problems they're experiencing at the moment.
And despite predictions of woe from friends in South Africa, I've settled in here remarkably quickly and things have worked out more rapidly than even I expected!! First and foremost being....TRANSPORT! This can be quite a problem in Zim, and another good friend of mine had arranged to sell me her daughter's car on my arrival. So by the time the sun set on my first evening in Zim, I had my little Opel Kadett parked outside the hostel at Arundel!! It's a very spiffy little car, and I was thrilled it even had 3/4 tank of petrol (a VERY hot commodity here in Zim)
The second thing to work out was a new cellphone SIM card (fyi, my new number is +263.91.461.009 - friends, please call me if you feel the urge!!) Again, I had been told I would never get a SIM card, as the cell networks here are overloaded and they hardly ever release new lines - you can imagine, the "black market" for SIM cards is booming, but overly priced and a bit dodgy! But again, at an amazing pace, by the end of my third day I had not one, but TWO SIM cards...again due to the amazing generosity and helpfulness of friends and colleagues here in Harare!
So with transport and a somewhat reliable communication device I am a happy camper indeed! Will continue my musings soon...but while we have electricity AND Internet-access I should quickly post this..the electricity power cuts are another story for another day :-)
However, the luggage damage was not without its perks - they quickly gave me a new suitcase (far superior to my canvas bag, I might add) and sent me off with instructions that I was not to pay any additional excess baggage charges! So after wiping some hemp foot lotion off my new high heels, and hurriedly repacking all my things into another fancy suitcase, I made my way to the departure lounge and - much shopping later - was off to Zimbabwe.
Again, I'm not organized enough yet (technology-wise...and that's another story completely!) to get my photos uploaded, but as we passed over Kipling's "great, grey, green, greasy Limpopo river" I marveled at how the river creates a natural carving through the dry earth and divides South Africa from Zimbabwe. I also thought about all those desperate Zimbabweans who risk their lives crossing that river, seeking a better life in South Africa. I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I had my doubts as we crossed the border, but those doubts were quickly put to rest once I arrived in Harare.
I was met by a dear friend from Arundel, who willingly used precious petrol to pick me up from the airport. It felt "right" being back in this country, despite the obvious problems they're experiencing at the moment.
And despite predictions of woe from friends in South Africa, I've settled in here remarkably quickly and things have worked out more rapidly than even I expected!! First and foremost being....TRANSPORT! This can be quite a problem in Zim, and another good friend of mine had arranged to sell me her daughter's car on my arrival. So by the time the sun set on my first evening in Zim, I had my little Opel Kadett parked outside the hostel at Arundel!! It's a very spiffy little car, and I was thrilled it even had 3/4 tank of petrol (a VERY hot commodity here in Zim)
The second thing to work out was a new cellphone SIM card (fyi, my new number is +263.91.461.009 - friends, please call me if you feel the urge!!) Again, I had been told I would never get a SIM card, as the cell networks here are overloaded and they hardly ever release new lines - you can imagine, the "black market" for SIM cards is booming, but overly priced and a bit dodgy! But again, at an amazing pace, by the end of my third day I had not one, but TWO SIM cards...again due to the amazing generosity and helpfulness of friends and colleagues here in Harare!
So with transport and a somewhat reliable communication device I am a happy camper indeed! Will continue my musings soon...but while we have electricity AND Internet-access I should quickly post this..the electricity power cuts are another story for another day :-)
posted by VN at 4:19 AM
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