Tuesday 9 June

Today, after two weeks of being here alone, we had two more volunteers arrive; Will from Wolverhampton UK and Becca from New England US. As Paula was driving to Livingstone to collect them, I decided to jump on board and use the opportunity to post a few letters from Livingstone Post Office (following a few issues with the Post Office in Mwandi).

I completed my errand almost immediately by 10:00, and wasn’t due to meet Paula and the others until 12:30! This created the perfect opportunity to check out the Livingstone Museum of Zambia.

At just 30 Kwacha entry, it’s well worth a visit! It takes you right through the various traditions from the various tribes in Zambia, right from the beginning of time!

The timing worked out perfectly, and as soon as I left the museum I got on my way to meet Will and Becca, a lovely pair!

Once back at Mwandi, I invited the two to come down to the market with me and see the village, which we all enjoyed!

Whilst there, I met Bernadette

Amongst a few things, she was selling dried pumpkin leaf, which she explained is traditionally a side for Zambian dinners, and was kind enough to tell me how to prepare it.

Ingredients

• Two cups of dried pumpkin leaf
• About 3 tomatoes
• One onion
• Some pinenuts if you have them!

And to do it…

1. Put the leaf into a saucepan with a little water- just enough to submerge the leaf. Cook on a low heat until the water and cooked into the leaf, and the result it thick and wet.

2. Chop up your tomato and onion and add to the mix. Cook for about 5 minutes.

3. Add the pinenuts. Cook for two minutes more.

Well, I couldn’t resist! I bought enough to cook for me and the family when I get home, assuming little plastic bags filled with dried, green leaves doesn’t arouse too much suspicion at customs.

We got back to camp just in time for dinner, and after that Will shared a little treat that he’d bought at the market

Sugar cane!

Just peel back the outside and crunch it between your teeth!

Deeeelicious!