Today we had the last of the presentations, all day. There were several good ones, but everyone was so draggy from last night that many people were dozing in the meeting. I think that most everyone was there, though. We should have had the Cultural Night tonight, not yesterday – why did they do it in the middle of the conference, that everyone should be so tired today? Everybody’s wondering.
The photographer had several of me today, both from yesterday and before. Ruth took an almost identical one of me doing the white people dance, so I didn’t want to buy that one. Most of the others were of me with people I don’t know – the people who asked to have their picture taken with me and Sarah. I left those for them to have. I got one of me standing with Sarah and Peter in the lobby, though.
Today I discovered that the email connections set up at the Conference center were excellent – I wish I had known! Sorry, Mom, I used my allotted time today to make sure that my future travel things were all set up. Unfortunately, I also discovered that Jo’burg is extremely dangerous for one woman daytripping alone – so I decided to use my twelve hour layover on the way home to explore the airport. I don’t want to try risking a taxi to the museums, however excellent they are rumored to be. It’s supposed to be a nice big airport with lots of shopping and a small museum, so hopefully I won’t be bored. Anyway, it’ll have a bookstore, and maybe even wifi.
Ruth and I were so tired when we got in we just ordered a pizza – Hawaiian pizza, even called that, has made it to Africa! And is very good. Then we split up and I watched tv while typing this. Very exciting, but what I needed.
I also attempted to make my new phone work – unfortunately, I found out that it works just fine, but only in Zambia to call Zambian phones. That’s what I get for buying a promo phone – I should have asked more questions! 80,000 zkw ($24) down the drain. I did try to call my family and friends, but they’re just going to have to wait – maybe in Malawi. I’m going to keep it anyway so I have a clock and a calculator – I didn’t realize how much I used those functions of my own phone.
I’m also seriously considering switching to T-Mobile when my renewal comes in September – this lack of ability to use SIM cards like the rest of the world does not sit well with me. Also, if I had T-Mobile, I’d be able to use my phone here. Not so Verizon. Although I’d probably wrack up huge charges if I had it, so maybe it’s for the best.
Tomorrow Sarah and I are going to Ababa House, a fine-crafts shop, or maybe to the Kamwala Market with Prisca and Ruth. Or both. We’ll see in the morning.
