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Pickpockets 0, Jed 1  (Zambia)

6/20/2014

12 Comments

 

By Jed

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Besides a visit to Morocco last year, this is my first time in Africa. Although South Africa, where we just came from, definitely has a lot of elements of “Africa”, it is also pretty cosmopolitan and built-up, so I was excited to get to Zambia to see what I imagined is a more “typical” African country.

Trying to get off the bus in Lusaka, I could barely move as 15+ taxi drivers climbed over each other to try to get on the bus and grab us as customers. Lusaka is the “big city” in Zambia, but except for a few malls, it very much looks like a developing nation. The streets are filled with make-shift wooden stands where street vendors sell the locals all sorts of everyday goods (these are not tourist shops in any sense). The food shops have flies buzzing around all the food, but the food is surprisingly tasty (and very cheap). The majority of the vehicles have cracked windshields from the rocks kicked up on the dirt roads. 

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Needless to say, Caitlin and I stuck out in Zambia quite a bit...I would go days without seeing another tourist. We were the unwilling recipients of vendors and locals shouting whatever few english words they knew, such as “How Are You, Boss!” (they love “Boss”), “Ladies and Gentlemen!” or yelling “Jenny, Jenny!” at Caitlin, as they presume all Americans are named Jenny. One vendor even boldly shouted to me “please sir, give me your wife.”

Zambia is an extremely safe African country, but the crowded downtown markets can be a prime spot for petty theft. While walking through the markets, a stranger grabbed my right arm and as soon as I looked right to see what is going on, I felt my phone being pulled out of my left pocket. Some weird Android-loving instinct kicked in and I immediately whipped to my left and started shouting at everyone in that general direction. I don't know if these guys were too amateur or my reaction was quicker than they expected, but I saw my phone in the hands of one of the men. I made a snap judgment and yanked my phone right back out of the man's hand and yelled some more for good measure. The would-be thieves were stunned and turned and left in dismay. My phone now has a permanent home in my zippered pocket as I am sure this will not be my last pick pocket attempt on this trip. Still glad to have come out on top on round 1.


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Besides visits to the capital Lusaka, the towns of Chipata and Petauke and to Caitlin's village (blog posts on the village to come later), we also made a stop to one of the biggest waterfalls in the world: Victoria Falls. I have been to Niagara and Iguazu falls in Brazil, so I was curious to see how this compared. I was not disappointed. The falls are beautiful and were gushing water. The mist sometimes obstructed the view (as often is the problem with giant falls), but it was still fun as the mist turned into rain pouring down on us as we crossed bridges by the falls. As a side spectacle, there were baboons everywhere. Dozens would walk down the stairs and expect you to move out of the way (which we more than willingly obliged). Although the babies going for rides on their moms' backs or sliding down railings was cute, the 150lb dads who looked menacingly at us were quite intimidating.

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Overall, Zambia was a great chance to interact with friendly locals, experience African culture and sample some local fare (see our food picture gallery). 

P.S. If you are interested in the local trends, this song is all over Zambia right now:
12 Comments
Brad
6/20/2014 02:02:33 am

Haha, I'm going to call everyone Boss and Jenny today.

That bridge in the mist pic is awesome -- would make a great addition to your blown-up photo wall!

Reply
Jed
6/20/2014 06:55:35 am

Big change in Tanzania from Zambia...here they yell "Suzanne" at Caitlin instead of Jenny. Also, how do you think people here respond to their bosses in Africa "sure thing Boss, Boss". Food for thought.

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Jamie
6/20/2014 05:58:47 am

Are the colors in Africa different? All your pictures are GORGEOUS! I'm glad you saved your phone and were unharmed, that sounds frightening. Great post, can't wait to hear about Caitlin's village!

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Jed
6/20/2014 06:52:36 am

Ha, thanks Jamie! The sky here really is an amazing shade of blue. #NoFilter

Reply
Dan G. link
6/21/2014 06:24:21 am

Hahaha, I cracked up at the vendor who humbly requested you "give him your 'wife'." Amazing stories and photos! Way to defend your phone, and thank you for providing me with my new ringtone.

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Caitlin
6/21/2014 07:44:31 am

Haha, how many watches do you think is a fair trade? That's what my suitor was selling on the street. I will say that Jed defended his phone a bit more vigorously...:-)

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Dan G. link
6/21/2014 09:42:17 am

By my estimation, you're worth approximately 2,500 to 3,000 watches, depending on the make and model.

Rachel
6/21/2014 06:45:44 am

Beautiful photos! I love reading the blog, you guys. Such interesting and amazing experiences you've had already. Impressive Android preservation reflexes, Jed. Like Jamie said, I'm also looking forward to reading about your visit to Caitlin's village.

And to be fair, I do know a LOT of American women (mostly born within the same decade as Caitlin) named Jenny :-) Suzanne, not so much.

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Jamie
6/21/2014 07:40:55 am

Haha, Rachel, particularly in the Ann Arbor Public Schools

Reply
Caitlin
6/21/2014 07:47:35 am

thanks Jamie and Rachel! Blog post on the village coming soon! And you are definitely right about all the Jenny's. in 10 years they will probably be shouting Caitlin.

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Kari aka Mo
6/21/2014 08:38:28 am

Really terrific blog about Zambia! You gave us a true picture of life in this African country. The Falls were majestic and ur pics captured that beauty! I was rather upset that u were pick pocketed and amazed u were able to get ur phone back! Also relieved that u didn't trade Jenny aka Suzanne ;-). Please stay safe and keep sharing ur adventures. Loving reading them! Miss u and love u xoxo

Reply
Pat
6/28/2014 09:39:57 am

You go Jed! Pickpockets don't have a chance. :)

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