When I was a kid I enjoyed going for strolls around the block on my banana seated Strawberry Shortcake bike. It was a way for me to occupy my time and spend quality time with my friends and neighbours.
Now that I am almost 25 years old the face of biking has changed for me…or has it? I enjoy taking my bicycle for a stroll down by the river having the air whip at my hair and the beautiful scenery all around me as I take my bike down a new path on the search for a new adventure. When I look back and relate my experience of biking as a child on the banana seat to me on my much smaller seat now, I see the same excitement and joy, the same yearning to find a new adventure!
The beautiful thing about biking is how practical yet versatile it can be. It can fit almost any lifestyle. I enjoy biking to work – it is economic, cuts down on transmissions, and fits with my hippy side of life. I enjoy the exercise – it creates endorphins after a stressful day and helps with the guilty feelings you may feel after eating those Timbits. I enjoy the rush – downhill biking allows me to feel the rush as I manoeuvre my bike through trees and up and down ramps. I enjoy the challenge – pushing myself to bike from Lilongwe, Malawi to Victoria Falls is something I never doubted biking could do, but something I never saw myself caring out. Once again, biking is taking me on a new adventure.
I was recently training for this bike ride in Inuvik, NWT. The one gym in town was open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. After a shift I would head to the gym and ride for 1-3 hours. I would sit there and watch the gym community at large “climbing Kilimanjaro” on my bike. A month ago I arrived in Mongu, Zambia. Awaiting me was 9 Canadian nursing students, two instructors, and 13 yellow Zambikes. I must admit in the first few weeks the bikese didn’t see much of me. However in the last 3 weeks I have been biking almost daily and remember the pure joy of biking. It has also reminded me how HOT it is in Africa! Nonetheless, I am ecstatic to embark on this journey with my good friends Jessica and Bill. It won’t be easy, but we will do our best to have as much fun and as many adventures as possible!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
The Story So Far:
I was picked up from the airport by one of our good friends at Zambikes. As we were driving to their farm house we are passing many people on the road with bikes with loads of charcoal, chickens and dogs racing into the streets, and the craziest traffic. The entire time I was chatting away catching up and it dawned on me that this all seemed perfectly normal and not surreal at all. I knew I was home.
At the Zambike farm I had a chance to try welding. It has been something I have wanted to try for awhile, but Zesco that pesky power company has prevented me from carrying out this bucket list activity. However, this time I was fortunate enough to stick weld and make a zambike….Ok, you caught me, I welded two pieces of metal together and then sanded them which is not quite a bike. I did get a chance to see my bamboo frame and instantly fell in love!
The next day I loaded into a bus and set off for Mongu. It was so good to see Jessica, Fay, and my home! I can not believe it has only been 2 and a bit months since I was here last. To be completely honest I was a little nervous to meet all the students as I didn’t really know them and was coming into the program half way through. I was not surprised to learn that all the ladies are amazing nurses!
My first week started off getting to know everyone and the routines. It was great to see how well everything ran. I feel like I live in a commune with 11 other wives who all cook and clean! It was great to be back at the hospital and work with the midwives. I have to tell you one of my proudest moments in my life. I’ve delivered babies here in Zambia before, but this trip was focused on teaching the students. We would discuss how to deliver a baby, possible complications, and cultural sensitivity in nursing practices. It was the most rewarding moment when one of my students delivered her first baby. I remember how it felt for me, and to see the joy on her face made my heart melt. Teaching truly is one of the most exciting things I’ve done in my career!
In saying that….maternity has not been a happy place the entire time. There have been many deaths, complications, and difficult times for the students and myself. We have had many debriefing moments where we have to end the day with a fanta or mosi (soft drink or beer). Overall, the students have been extraordinarily resilient and try to take each moment as a teaching opportunity.
At the Zambike farm I had a chance to try welding. It has been something I have wanted to try for awhile, but Zesco that pesky power company has prevented me from carrying out this bucket list activity. However, this time I was fortunate enough to stick weld and make a zambike….Ok, you caught me, I welded two pieces of metal together and then sanded them which is not quite a bike. I did get a chance to see my bamboo frame and instantly fell in love!
The next day I loaded into a bus and set off for Mongu. It was so good to see Jessica, Fay, and my home! I can not believe it has only been 2 and a bit months since I was here last. To be completely honest I was a little nervous to meet all the students as I didn’t really know them and was coming into the program half way through. I was not surprised to learn that all the ladies are amazing nurses!
My first week started off getting to know everyone and the routines. It was great to see how well everything ran. I feel like I live in a commune with 11 other wives who all cook and clean! It was great to be back at the hospital and work with the midwives. I have to tell you one of my proudest moments in my life. I’ve delivered babies here in Zambia before, but this trip was focused on teaching the students. We would discuss how to deliver a baby, possible complications, and cultural sensitivity in nursing practices. It was the most rewarding moment when one of my students delivered her first baby. I remember how it felt for me, and to see the joy on her face made my heart melt. Teaching truly is one of the most exciting things I’ve done in my career!
In saying that….maternity has not been a happy place the entire time. There have been many deaths, complications, and difficult times for the students and myself. We have had many debriefing moments where we have to end the day with a fanta or mosi (soft drink or beer). Overall, the students have been extraordinarily resilient and try to take each moment as a teaching opportunity.
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