Saturday, September 10, 2011

Visit with the Mhlope Family and dinner with the Elders

Went to Old Luveve to see the Mhlope family. I had some gifts for them as well as I brought along Mr. Khumalo (our Zimkids builder) to see what repairs were needed at the house.


Went back to the house for a quick siesta and then did a drive around with Silvi. It's so much easier (and legal) to have someone else drive and me film ! Went back to Ilan's house/internet cafe where I was able to “punk” Ilan (via phone) really well with the help of Silvi and Opah.


In the evening I took the Zimkids elders, Tinashe and Dennis out for a Chinese dinner. What a load of fun meeting the new group of elders. Then off to the ice cream store for dessert. The kids loved it when I tried out my Ndebele language skills. Lionel has promised to give me a school book on learning to speak Ndebele. I wonder why :)


I then meet Silvi, Lee and few other friends for dessert at a restaurant in suburbs. Who says there are very few places to eat out in Bulawayo. More than you think.


Carpe Diem.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Center visit again.

Went on a book search for learning Ndebele, the language spoken in Bulawayo. I think I will be able to get the books at one of the primary schools.


I picked up 15 chicken meals for all the workers at the Zimkids Center. They were delighted to get something other than sadza and chamoolia. I'm glad there was only a small piece of chicken left over for me as even double doses of Crestor wouldn't have helped with the grease !!!


Back to Solomon's supermarket for a food shop for me to take back to the USA. I was also able to give Mr. White and Mr. Hutchins a new shirt each.


Friday evening I was once again able to make the Minyan for services. Then it was off to the Solomon's for a wonderful Shabbat dinner. Thanks Lee, Joyce and Loveness.  


Carpe Diem.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Matopos and cricket

We opted to forgo the morning bush walk and sleep in. Rise and shine at 7 am and then breakfast at 8 am. We were joined for breakfast by the Lodges owner who I had met previously at the Hide in Hwange. Then it was a short drive back to Bulawayo for my morning meeting with the Doctors. What a get away and so close.
My meeting with Dr. Dixon and Dr. Ndebele was very productive. I had brought with me a number of packets containing samples of the medical supplies we are intending to ship to them in Bulawayo. Very few items were rejected and I was able to establish which items were hugely important. I go back to the USA with a good clear idea of what's needed and wanted.


Early afternoon Silvi and I went to watch the International cricket match between Zimbabwe and Pakistan. Here is the chronology:
  1. 3 and a half minute drive to the “stadium” Queens Sports Ground.
  2. 45 seconds to Park the car.
  3. 42 second walk to the main gate.
  4. Pay your US$3 entry fee.
  5. 38 seconds to find a great seat.
  6. Watch a very entertaining game.
  7. 49 seconds back to the car.
  8. 4 Minute drive back to the store (heavy traffic)
What I'm trying to show here is how ridiculously close and accessible everything is here. So stressful :)


Wonderful dinner with Lee and Silvi at Maxi's. It was wonderful to see my good friend Massimo Bulletti (the owner) again He is a very special man. I will elaborate later on.


Carpe Diem.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Visit to the Center and Matopos

Went to see the Center. I am so delighted and impressed at how things have progressed. Good to see all the people again. I am planning to bring lunch for everyone (14) on Friday.


Silvi and I drove out to Matopos to spend the night at Big Cave Lodge. It's a 45 minute ride from the house but once you are in the Matopos hills it's like being in another world. Peaceful, impressive, sheer beauty, haunting................... but don't take my word for it. Check out the pictures once I post them.


We did a short sunset drive with our guide Clia. Then we climbed this huge granite hill for sundowners and watched the sunset. Back to the lodge for a lovely dinner with all the other guests (5 German tourists). After sitting around the campfire and farting schmoozing it was time to hit the hay. Not before Silvi and I walked up the small granite hill behind our bungalows. It took us about 20 minutes to find the Southern cross and figure out which direction was north. Last of the great white navigators !


Carpe Diem.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Relaxing day

Had a great nights sleep and woke to a bright blue morning sky with a slight chill in the air. I thought I had slept in but it was actually 6:40 am.

Went over to Ilan's house/internet cafe to visit Opah and the rest of the Bucknall Place gang. Then on to “Thee Coffee Shoppe” for a late breakfast with Silvi and Lee. I got the call from the airport that my luggage had arrived. So, off I went to pick it up. After shmoozing for 20 minutes I walked out, bag in tow, with nothing missing. I was elated. One of the airport cops and his friend asked me for a ride into town and I was only too happy to oblige. You never know when that cop's help may be needed :)

Unpacked and sorted out all the “stuff”. Dispensed some gifts and then went back to town (7 mins) to go and have tea and scones with Silvi. Back to the Solly home for a nice quiet dinner with Lee and Silvi. Watched some soccer (England vs Wales) on TV and then to bed for an early night. How stressful was that ?

Carpe Diem.

Monday, September 5, 2011

Bulawayo arrival

It was a really nice and comfortable flight and I had a decent nights sleep to boot. For the last couple of hours there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Just a beautiful view of Africa below.

I had a short connection in Johannesburg for my Bulawayo flight so I knew it was going to get interesting and challenging. I got to the gate as they were boarding the buses to take us out to the plane. I checked on the status of my luggage making the flight and was told it would make it. I again checked when I got to the plane and once more, they said that it should be there. My gut feeling told me otherwise. Well guess what ? On arrival in Bulawayo my luggage had not made the flight. So now it's hurry up and wait. The best scenario is that is gets here tomorrow. The worst case is.....................aah, never mind.

Now here is something ironic. A friend of mine from Bulawayo was robbed a while ago and basically lost all his clothing, amongst other things. I spoke to Silvi and asked if he would ask the Solomon brothers (his 3 sons) if they would put together a collection of clothing they were prepared to part with. The clothing was collected and guess who may have to temporarily use it ? Yes indeed, me. I'm sure my friend won't mind. I also plan to make a few local purchases.

Silvi picked me up from the airport and had a nice pepper steak meat pie waiting for me. The weather is stunning. For the next 8 days it will be sunny with a high of 80 f and a low of 55 f. The smells are so familiar and nothing has changed in 4 months. What did I expect? The power is actually on right now. Amazing.

We have lots planned. Watching live international field hockey and cricket. For TV viewing, World Cup Rugby starts in a few days and of course the usual array of English Premiership football games. Go Man United.

The transition to driving on the left hand side is fairly easy for me. Just have to keep a keen eye on the pedestrians, bicyclists and assorted bad drivers. Just like in Baltimore which, by the way, was voted the second worst drivers in the USA. Number one was Washington DC. I stopped in town to get a few items of clothing (t-shirt, shorts and 3 underwear) and US$50 later I had em. What the hell was I on ?

We went to Tanya Goldwasser's for dinner where Laurence made multiple great tasting pizzas with assorted toppings. There has to be a commercial demand for these.Business idea.

A couple of things I noticed on the drive around was that most of the street lights in Kumalo have been repaired and a fair amount of potholes filled in. Also, a fair amount of “robots” (traffic lights) seemed to be functioning. Some even seem to have LED lights in them. Maybe there is progress here.

Carpe Diem.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Zurich for the day


After arriving in Zurich from Frankfurt and wandering around the airport like a lost f*rt I finally found the Swiss lounge. I have to say that it was misinformation that caused me to “wander”. At least it wasn't for 40 years in the desert !

I had a nap and a shower and now I feel somewhat rejuvenated. This place is so clean.

Just got caught up on all my texts, emails and phone calls. Thank you Skype.

Carpe Diem.