Quick update

Sunday night, 7:30 p.m., Dave's house, Lusaka

Just a quick update this evening, with race report and photos to come tomorrow. The Zambian National Champsionships were TOUGH!! 150km, 75km out to a turnaround and 75km back. Only you lose something like 300m in elevation going out, over a series of ever-larger rolling hills, and then have to make that all back up on the return leg. OUCH!

I was in a break, racing for 4th, for about 25kms or so on the return, and then fought like hell to stay on the wheels through the last, uphill 20kms. When it came time for the sprint, I was outclassed, and rolled across the line in 11th or 12th. Not a bad result for having been in the country for 72 hours, but you're always looking for more ...

I will say this: I began to find "my" Zambia today. As we headed down south, toward Livingstone, and as the hills began to get steeper and longer, I was in heaven. It is so beautiful, and so expansive -- you can't even imagine it. Yes, you are passing small huts and shacks that barely serve as shelter for people. But the landscapes and the vistas are beyond compare. Wow.

Day in the office tomorrow, distribution Tuesday, office and a visit to another program on Wedneday, and then I'm out of here. How time flies!