party started

Summertime is coming and travelling will start so soon now, today I said goodbye to colleagues and friends in Choma with a farewell braai in our garden. My Tonga name, Lweendo = Journey will finally become a reality!

spatial dimensions

“Cat, you know that the map (a satellite photo) is not right? ... think think and hanged it on the opposite wall, You think the map is right now? Sure, now the map is correct!" (Work anecdote on reading maps)

The drawing companies are generally motivated and I have had several interesting discussions with these autodidact architects on architecture and urban design.

notes from a fieldtrip

Usually we make a salad or pasta at home, however when you are on a fieldtrip the local women will always offer you a plate of nsima with some relish. Nsima is made from mealie-meal (maize), the common staple food.

countryside

This is the farm of Bert & Nchimunya in Harmony, 10 km east of Choma. The fellow guest (a musician who, amongst others, records Zambian music, check http://www.swp-records.com/) and myself were impressed to see how they grow heaps of onions, vegetables and fruits on 9 ha of sandy, savannah land. With the tred the water is pumped from the well to irrigate the growing fruit trees. The place really feels like a holiday hangout!

welcome to my crib!

Building your own house is not only very normal in Zambia it is an investment for the future in a country without social security systems. 2 young collegueas started building some time ago as most work is done in weekends and when they have money and are very proud

blossom

Spring is in the air! it is so nice to see the blossoms in the trees my winter has been too long this year.... I love this painting that I have put on my desktop. It is made by *piou* via http://www.helloneest.com/

landmarks

Now that the end is getting closer I started taking photos of the daily Choma life, the market and vendors with their pyramides of tomatoes and oranges that I pass by every day. The narrow lanes with sellers calling Madam, madam! chitenge material?

street scene

Last weeks we have had quite some guests, amongst others my sister, staying in Choma. Apart from showing them the busy market we walked through Mwapona, the oldest settlement in Choma. The name means “hello, how are you”; the children are always excited to see their photo's on the little screen.