Lusaka

Today was quite a day. We met with the UNHCR head for this part of Africa, the vice-Ambassador at the US embassy, the head of refugee issues for Zambia, and a few others along the way. I got to shoot video of all these people, and all of them were quite excited about our project. They were also very friendly and personable people.

There's nothing like crusing through town in UN vehicles! I have to admit, I liked the feeling. The UN presence here is bigger than any other place I've ever been.

Tomorrow we are supposed to head north to Solwezi - the closest town to the refugee settlement we are headed to. News there - we will be in Solwezi every Friday from 10am to 5pm local time, and we will have a cell phone available that we can be called on. The number is:
26097484194 (plus international dialing codes for Zambia). Maybe I'll hear from you sometime!

Last Night in Jo-Burg

It's my last night here in Jo-Burg. The Botswana group has already taken off, and in 12 hours we too will be headed out for the next stage in our adventure - Lusaka, Zambia. I think we are ready! We have had a couple of days to acclimate to Africa, each other, and the idea of what we are about to embark upon. We have trained together, talked together, and brought up the level of mutual excitement. Anyway, it doesn't matter if we are ready, because the time has come to go. Now, we have each other though, and that makes it easier to move forward.

I've shot over a dozen interviews so far, and will be doing some more in Lusaka. Through the interviews I've come to believe that the group I'm with has a realistic approach to what we are doing, and that makes me more comfortable with it. I think we are all going to learn a lot, and we are looking forward to that.

So, off to our last dinner in Jo-Burg. Next entry should be from Zambia.

Filmmaking in South Africa

Today was a grand film day. I started by getting up just before 7am to head to the airport to shoot the arrival of 5 girls on our program. After returning, I interviewed Nicole, bringing me up to about 8 people from our group interviewed so far.

Shortly afterwards, I met up with a South African cameraman I connected with through cml (a cinematography professional's newsgroup). Yes, I am meeting people through the internet! His name is Jacques, and he was very kind to me. He took me to lunch in an area called Rosebank - the first interesting place I've been in Jo-Burg so far. Then he took me to the Panasonic regional headquarters, and the city's largest video rental house. I got to meet several of the people who can provide me with support if anything goes off while I'm over here. It's always good to have back-up plans! I also got to talk shop with people who know their stuff, which I always love to do.

It also makes me think of my time in Cape Town in November, where I got tours of the studios, Panavision, etc. My impression is that people in the South African film industry are extremely friendly and supportive of each other. It's great!

Tonight we are going to have a welcome dinner, and then freeze in our hostel again. All those people that were worried about me getting sunburn can relax I think, but we'll see what the weather is like in Zambia.

Ciao
David

My Birthday is a Holiday

So, today (June 16th) is my birthday. What a present to land in South Africa and begin this adventure! What more could I ask for? Other people are also starting to arrive here at Gemini Backpackers, where we are having our orientations.

Today is "Youth Day", remembering a number of protesters killed almost 20 years ago. Many things are closed, like Memorial day in the USA.

It is cold at night here; really cold.

It's a Small World, but a Big Airport (London Heathrow)

It's a Small World, but a Big Airport (London Heathrow)

So here I am, waiting an unseemly amount of time for my connection to South Africa. The DC > London leg of my trip proceeded with syncronicity. First, as I was waiting to enter the gate, the girl in front of me, Ericka, began talking about her time on Semester at Sea last summer (the semester prior to my voyage). Naturally we started talking about SAS, and I discovered that she is a Pitt student, and was headed to Tanzania to do volunteer work for the summer. Very parallel. My seat was behind hers on the flight too..

The woman next to me was an American University PhD student in Political science. (I went to AU as an undergrad.) She had lived in Africa for 10 years, and has an acquaintence at AU who is doing her doctorate on refugee populations! She offered to introduce us when I return, and hopefully that will pan out.

So, here I am mere hours out of the USA, already meeting interesting people. I love the social dynamic of travel.

I also just ate a cheeseburger that was about 1/10th the quality of MacDonalds, for 10x the price. Terrible ROI.

On to my next flight..
David

16 Hours left in the USA

Once again, I return to Washington DC. My sister's family and I arrived just an hour ago.

I prepare myself for contrast. Last evening I was at my parents' anniversary party; an event about as far removed from where I am headed as I can imagine. It was beautiful and heartwarming. I shot video for my parents, and tested the gear I will be relying on for months to come.

It's amazing how cameras can come to feel like friends. The DVX100a is more of an acquaintance for me now, but one I am looking forward to getting to know better. I also just got my first professional level microphone yesterday (thanks to certain producer in San Francisco that is helping me out..) The difference was outstanding. I literally cannot wait to acquire. And I really don't have to wait much longer!

Deadlines are amazing too. You are forced to do things.. things you want to do, but also want to prepare for more. But when the deadline comes.. suddenly you just make things happen. I love the feeling when everything comes together.

I are my last dinner in the USA at MacDonalds. I haven't been to one in months; I almost never go, except for when I'm on the road. I sent out an email asking the people I know to send me a question they want me to ask the refugees. My buddy Mike wanted me to ask people if they had ever eaten a Big Mac, and if not, do they want to. I honestly can say I could live the rest of my life without ever eating another one, and not feel that I was missing anything.

Off to sleep (I have this blog set to an African time-zone).
David
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Imagine the sunset from the sun's point of view.

Mail me while I'm gone.

If you are so inclined, you can send me snail mail in Zambia. Some kind of priority letter service is recommended, as the mail service in Zambia is kind of slow. Here is the address:

David Mallin
c/o Meheba High School
PO Box 110337
Solwezi
Zambia

Welcome to My Africa Blog

Well, here it is, just a couple of days before I leave for South Africa. I don't know how much of an opportunity I'm going to have to update this while I'm away, but I'll do my best. I'm also going to have the group updates not written by me posted here if I can. This is my first "blog" experience, so let's see what happens!

David