Well, hello Steemians, it's been a while since my last post from Lusaka, Zambia! My week there got busier than expected, and the follow-up last week was good and encouraging but didn't leave me much time for posting. I hope to make it up to you over the next couple of weeks.

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So with a sheepish grin on my Steemy face, I thought I'd share some nearly random photos of Lusaka with you just to give you a feel for the place.

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Signs, signs, everywhere a sign

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For some reason, everywhere we went, I saw signs so let me share some of those with you, starting with my favourite.

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Best slogan ever

I had plenty of opportunity to study this sign and internalise the wisdom of this sign as we sat stopped dead in traffic thanks to South Africa's president arriving that Thursday morning and his military escort causing all arterial traffic to come to a standstill.

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This one is for @scienceguy - what these little guys are doing in Lusaka, I'm not sure....

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![Penguin billboard])

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Take your pick! A sign for everyone on this stretch of road.

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No signs needed here. The merchandise speaks for itself.

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Haircut, anyone?

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Before you judge based on this next photo, Lusaka has come a long way in terms of solid waste management. There are still many issues to work out with the Council, but there are a number of private companies now involved in waste collection and recycling - so it's on a good path.

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The two signs say (I'll write them as they are written):

BIG-Y

YOUTH TRAINING CENTRE

Specialised in Welding, Capentry

Power Electrical Build Gym

Trainings and Many more

Kalililiki Compound Lusaka

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And even better:

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BIG-Y

WASTE SOLUTIONS LTD

Specialised in Gabbagge collections,

cleaning services, pest control, recycling

(e.g. wax making) and many more

A healthy and clean environment

to serve the community

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That deserves a pretty big green thumbs up, don't you think?

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Many home solar system businesses have sprung up in Zambia over the last year.

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And who doesn't need this service?

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The Shalom Shop appealed to me...

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...as did the impressive number of private gyms which have sprung up there over the last few years.

That whole second floor above the Gym sign was full of modern looking equipment. Kind of devoid of people, I have to admit. Perhaps it's full first thing in the morning.

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What would a trip to an African country be without a politician disrupting it somehow?

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And here are a couple of shots taken as we drove at the expected clip westbound down Great East Road towards the airport:

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There was a similar sign on the eastbound side of Great East Road, not far from the University of Zambia. One cannot help but wonder if a welcome sign on the road to the airport carries a subliminal message.

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Here's a sign of a different sort, seeing President Zuma off from the airport:

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I nearly jumped out of my skin when the 21-gun salute started. This particular example of Zambian hospitality was so well-timed it corresponded with the arrival of two of three international flights scheduled that day (the third was forced to circle the airport as the military had taken over the airspace). The Ethiopian and Emirates flights, already ready to depart when they closed the airspace, must have been delayed by an hour. Our South African Airways flight was delayed by an hour by this don't care attitude. There must have been at least 800 passengers on the three flights combined, with connecting flights and Friday evenings to get to.

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What would you say that's a sign of?

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_________________

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Cool green thumbs up thanks to Pixabay, the rest taken from the car on my Huawei Mate 9 as we zipped through the streets of Lusaka

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Team South Africa banner designed by @bearone

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