Zambia in 90 days: 1st week

I have had my first week here in Zambia, as always never sans a drama....I played in a competition on Saturday with my sister and I got 19 points on a 36 handicap but I never played the first front nine before so it was a little frustrating only got 4 points and then played the back nine which I have played twice so I got 15 points so I was pleased with my back nine...I am sure by this week I shall improve so my caddie says....I would love to break 100 while I am out here.... but while on the course I was stung by a Kenyan beetle which blistered my right arm horrifically and I had to go to the clinical doctor after who proceeded to give me an injection in my bottom which was so sore.... then she noticed I had massive lumps on my bottom and proceeded to tell me I had maggots buried (3 of them) eating away merrily ..... so I have to wait until they are bigger and will go back tomorrow to have them taken out...they call them putsi fly...mmmm.... well, the cause is because my sister never put my knickers in the tumble dryer so the fly lays eggs and as soon as you wear the item the body warmth lays the eggs and the maggots then have a lovely feast....Africa hey.... the temperature is 38/40c so it is stifling hot and humid as we are in the tropics....

We have been to a few parties which believe me have tired me out and I have felt like a child and asked to go home, even though I am sleeping every afternoon it is still too hot for me....we went to a Zimbabwean party on Saturday night and I met a Belgium couple so it was lovely to speak French and of course they were so happy to speak their mother tongue too.

I have met a chap that has started development programs here with the foundation of First Quantum Mines.... I am very interested in looking at the projects....although very hard to get someone to take me out.....

This is such a wonderful opportunity that I have and I am so grateful that I have been able to come and have this experience....but I know for certain that I could never ever live here, the folk here are so insular and really ignorant about the world we live in the negativity is incredible and quite draining, as they are earning a lot of money and constantly moan, they almost have no idea what is on their door step....so sad to be around, my prayers are very prevalent at the moment for the locals and the whites that are working with and around them.

I am playing 18 holes tomorrow and then rest on Wednesday and then off to Lusaka for the day on Thursday.....the town here is like an African location and is quite intimidating for me, really scary as the poverty is rife.....