Written Monday 16 August 2010
I went shopping Zambian style on Saturday at Masala Market. Tightly packed stalls selling everything you could think of, mostly second hand. Lots of fresh fruit, beans, rice and dried fish (as long as you don’t mind the flies!), There was very little room between the stalls, I would not like to be there if it is crowded as it was difficult to find room to pass one other person let alone if there had been many more.

The market is located in the compound of Masala and is the largest market in Ndola. I spent several hours there browsing and enjoying the sights and smells. I am certain if I had not been with Mwelwa and Abigail I would be wandering round, still, entirely lost, trying to find my way out!

I also visited the smaller market in Mushili Compound as well and discovered it is only at the far end of the road I am staying in. Unfortunately this market does not have any fresh fruit to have me scampering back there for supplies.

The people of Ndola are predominantly Christian and hold a very strong faith. Almost the first question you are asked is what church do you attend. So Sunday’s are the day to attend Church and they can be found along every street. In town there is a Catholic Cathedral but in general the buildings can be any size, any state of repair and even made of wood. There are so many denominations it makes your head spin.

So I decided to attend the United Church of Zambia in Lubuto Compound. There was an impressive array of Girls Brigade members and the service was dedicated to enrolling new Lieutenants, there must have been about twenty young ladies moving into this position. After two hours I crept out but the service was still going on, the sermon had not even started! The best part of the service was the use of music, singing and dancing which was to a really high standard. I should have stayed as I returned to my accommodation to prepare for work for the week and found out there was a power cut and I could not use my laptop.

All part of the life and culture of an African country!