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I then cycled to meet Derek Owen of UNICEF who introduced me to Nicola, the
Senior Information Assistant. She set up some visits to their projects for the next day but
the plans fell through the next morning. I also met Tim Morgan a South African business-
man working in Lusaka who invited me out for dinner on the weekend and also offered me
aplace tostayifeverIneeded one.Ithenreturned homeandchatted withPiersandBobby
until 9:00 p.m. During our conversation, I mentioned that I was quite concerned about the
poor quality of my tires and that I was in desperate need of new ones. Piers suggested that
the next day I should go to the fairgrounds and put up a notice for new tires. He said a lot
of people visited the fairgrounds and I was bound to find someone who had tires for sale.
AndsoIsettledintolivinginLusaka.Somuchso,thatforthefirsttime,Ineglected
my journal for almost five days. Not much happened except for the following highlights.
The first morning, I cycled to the fairgrounds and put up my notice for new tires. On the
Saturday, I joined the Hashers Club. This outing was a godsend for I met Jeff Hendrich
there who would later help me solve my tire dilemma. Incidentally, this social club was for
the ex-pats community who simply ran/walked a pre-planned course in the bush following
a trail of shredded paper. Because of the horrible condition of my running shoes (and that I
didn't have great running legs) I decided to walk quickly. At the end of the course, we all
met in a big circle and introduced new members by singing and drinking. They picked on
people for different reasons: torn shorts, not level socks,
etc
. Since I was the rookie, I had
to drink a beer in one gulp. I failed. Whatever I didn't drink was poured over my head to
the bewilderment of the local children.
After returning to the house, Tim came by to pick me up so we could go out for
dinner. It was my first meal that included an all-you-can-eat salad bar…I was in heaven!
Tim was really a down-to-earth guy who really appreciated how blessed he was at such a
young age of 24.
I went to mass the next morning but found the music and energy much more re-
served than in Zaïre. I then returned home and went with Piers to Paula's house for lunch.
There were other Hashers there and the food and conversation were great. I ended my
Sunday with a visit to the Canadian High Commissioner's home for tea.
OntheMonday,IwenttotheSouthAfricanEmbassytopickupmypassport.Itwas
on my return to the Canadian High Commission that I met Jeff Hendrich who passed on
some great news. A friend of his named Andy Baker was willing to sell me relatively new
tires for $5.00. So, with great excitement I cycled up to Andy's place near the fairgrounds
where he sold me two tires and threw in a free tube. I cycled home carrying these three
items as if they were made of gold.
The next morning was reserved for placing the new tires on the bike. I was giddy
with anticipation while I assembled the tires. I then cycled with my new tires to Andy's
place for dinner. What a dream! The bike rolled effortlessly. I met Andy at his office and
showed him my old tires. There were quarter-sized holes worn right through the surfaces
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