left lusak@, now in kamp@l@.

I have to say that a highlight not just of today, or of the week, but of these last few years of travelling was today, when i had just 45 minutes between meetings to drop off my visa at the Indian High Commission... I ran out of the office, tucked my hair into my hat, jammed on my shades, and jumped on a b0dab0da in my suit (b0dab0das are the motorcycles for hire that circle around.. so if you want to go somewhere you perch on the back, sidesaddle. It's by far the fastest way to get anywhere because they can go alongside the cars and skip the traffic. They're also kind of terrifying, because.. oh all the becauses. Because no helmet. Because they're not in their lanes but on the shoulder. Because they weave in and out of traffic. Because it's a motorcycle driven by a stranger. Because wobbly. BUT they're fast.

I made it just in time (five minutes to 12!!! they stop at noon), and then of course I stood in line for so so so long... because India. In the crowd of people pushing towards the window, but easily managing cause i'm a head taller than everyone else. That was always so handy when I lived in India. Watching the clock tick towards my meeting - which was supposed to start at 12:30, at the prime minister's office, no less... But in the end, the guy remembered me, took my details and my passport, promised he'll call when it's ready (!!!! It's really happening!!! I've been trying to get this visa for months)... and I got out of there at 12:30.

Hopped on ANOTHER bodaboda and we zoomed to the prime minister's office, and I was only 15 minutes late. Smelling like diesel, but still.. mission accomplished!

Now I'm eating dinner and drinking the very best beer of ever... and making powerpoints for tomorrow.

It was such a hot day but the breeze is cool and my beer is cold. There are birds of paradise in the greenery around the patio. I've been working every day since January 27, but life still feels pretty good.

6:03 p.m. - 2014-02-10