25.5.06
New Things
This is a list of 101 new things that have I have seen, done, used, experienced, or owned, in the past 2 months and 2 days that I have been in Zambia. I made sure that these were things that have never happened in my life before; not when I was 5 years old, and not when I was 12.
1. I used pink toilet paper.
2. I have seen poverty, first hand.
3. I sleep under a mosquito net.
4. “Bry” is spelt “Braai” (a coal powered barbecue).
5. I shower with a hand held shower.
6. There is a tree swing in my backyard.
7. I went to the same restaurant twice in one day (Mona Lisa’s).
8. I wore a skirt all day; because I liked it.
9. I watched a movie on TV without commercial breaks (satellite TV).
10. Fruit and eggs are washed in bleach before they are eaten.
11. I spent my (16th) birthday without my siblings.
12. Coke comes from glass bottles.
13. Peanuts are raw, and need to be boiled, fried, baked, or braaied.
14. Geckos live in my house.
15. A rooster crows in the morning.
16. I take malaria pills everyday.
17. Shoes/sandals are worn inside.
18. There are potholes in the roads.
19. Steering wheels are on the right side, and driving is on the left side.
20. Everyone 15+ is called ‘Aunty’ or ‘Uncle.’
21. The garbage man failed to show up three weeks in a row.
22. I can’t drink glasses of milk (without puking, or gagging).
23. I ate a cinnamon scroll.
24. There are three locks on my front door, bars on all the windows, and an electric fence around the property.
25. We didn’t drive down a certain road because we thought the police might stop us, and ask for our passports.
26. I have a cell phone.
27. People call me ‘Madame.’
28. I am an only child.
29. I understand the importance of bikinis.
30. I have no idea what my neighbours look like.
31. Brushing my teeth with tap water is on the rebellious side.
32. A lizard lives underneath my washing machine.
33. I buy things using kwacha.
34. Meals eaten in restaurants are a minimum of two hours.
35. I have two mysterious lumps by my ear [April 14. Presently, they have disappeared].
36. I opened and closed the gate for the first time.
37. Eating out is the number one/only social activity.
38. An Easter service/parade walked down my street.
39. 1-inch steaks are eaten once a week (ish).
40. I didn’t get beaten at N64.
41. I have a bottle of 2 in 1 shampoo & conditioner that cost $10 Canadian.
42. I enjoy hamburgers.
43. I made lemonade from the lemons on the lemon tree in the backyard.
44. I ate pasta five times (meals) in three days.
45. I made pancakes for the first time.
46. It was a big deal when I accidentally used tap water in baking (but dukoral saved me).
47. I was a prohibited immigrant for 17 hours.
48. I have had Ashlee Simpson stuck in my head multiple times (thanks Lauren…)
49. I showed my dad how to use a computer program (instead of him showing me).
50. Glass bottles are cheaper than plastic.
51. I forgot my malaria pill for the first time on April 23 (one month after I’d been here).
52. Strangers have played with my hair on three separate occasions.
53. I am learning Bemba. [Ishina lyandi ni Temwani, Nikwisa ukuli nganda?, inkoko, zapatos, umona, wadi, poushi, na to te la sena].
54. My name was changed from Alanna to Mutale, to Masonda, to Temwani.
55. A pothole being filled is a joyous occasion.
56. I ate sugar cane.
57. I used a wheelbarrow as a lounge chair.
58. We have wicker furniture.
59. I wish I could have a footbath everyday.
60. I have a chocolate bar wrapper collection.
61. I tried “Granadilla Schweppes.”
62. Sucrose-free chocolate is readily available.
63. The grocery helper pushed the buggy to our vehicle, which was one and a half blocks away.
64. I spoke at a youth group.
65. I painted my room (green).
66. I saw a U.N. memorial site.
67. I saw oxen (on the side of the road).
68. I ate lunch ate golf course.
69. My house is not soundproof.
70. I saw yellow bike tires.
71. There was a sweet party with lots of drums and ululations down the street.
72. I played with litchi seeds: natural finger paint.
73. I have 22 pairs of underwear.
74. We have a housekeeper.
75. I saw an actual Barbie* Magazine.
76. I learned how to (properly) wash clothes by hand.
77. I made a bouquet with flowers from the backyard (and didn’t get in trouble).
78. I made enchima.
79. I like avocado.
80. Waking up at 9:30 am is sleeping in – late.
81. I stood next to a giant coke bottle.
82. I’ve been to a lake/dam with crocodiles in it.
83. Sometimes I crave water and vegetables.
84. I haven’t been outside of my property (the walls) in 56 hours.
85. Someone shouting into a loud speaker just drove down my street.
86. I got an amazing farmer’s burn.
87. I saw someone carrying live goats on the back of their bike.
88. Someone asked if they could draw me.
89. My dream took place in Africa (rather than Canada).
90. I know someone who’s gone bungee jumping.
91. We have a bright orange shower curtain.
92. We have a truck.
93. I am good at cutting apples.
94. We have Ikea chairs.
95. I did the “Ball and Band” workout.
96. I enjoy Ruby Red Grapefruit juice.
97. We have a work permit.
98. My dad doesn’t snore anymore.
99. I made my bed everyday for five weeks in a row.
100.Our phone has a better long distance rate than local rate.
101.The term “ex-pat” means something to me.
So that was my exciting list of strange and new adventures. Comment on your favourite one.
1. I used pink toilet paper.
2. I have seen poverty, first hand.
3. I sleep under a mosquito net.
4. “Bry” is spelt “Braai” (a coal powered barbecue).
5. I shower with a hand held shower.
6. There is a tree swing in my backyard.
7. I went to the same restaurant twice in one day (Mona Lisa’s).
8. I wore a skirt all day; because I liked it.
9. I watched a movie on TV without commercial breaks (satellite TV).
10. Fruit and eggs are washed in bleach before they are eaten.
11. I spent my (16th) birthday without my siblings.
12. Coke comes from glass bottles.
13. Peanuts are raw, and need to be boiled, fried, baked, or braaied.
14. Geckos live in my house.
15. A rooster crows in the morning.
16. I take malaria pills everyday.
17. Shoes/sandals are worn inside.
18. There are potholes in the roads.
19. Steering wheels are on the right side, and driving is on the left side.
20. Everyone 15+ is called ‘Aunty’ or ‘Uncle.’
21. The garbage man failed to show up three weeks in a row.
22. I can’t drink glasses of milk (without puking, or gagging).
23. I ate a cinnamon scroll.
24. There are three locks on my front door, bars on all the windows, and an electric fence around the property.
25. We didn’t drive down a certain road because we thought the police might stop us, and ask for our passports.
26. I have a cell phone.
27. People call me ‘Madame.’
28. I am an only child.
29. I understand the importance of bikinis.
30. I have no idea what my neighbours look like.
31. Brushing my teeth with tap water is on the rebellious side.
32. A lizard lives underneath my washing machine.
33. I buy things using kwacha.
34. Meals eaten in restaurants are a minimum of two hours.
35. I have two mysterious lumps by my ear [April 14. Presently, they have disappeared].
36. I opened and closed the gate for the first time.
37. Eating out is the number one/only social activity.
38. An Easter service/parade walked down my street.
39. 1-inch steaks are eaten once a week (ish).
40. I didn’t get beaten at N64.
41. I have a bottle of 2 in 1 shampoo & conditioner that cost $10 Canadian.
42. I enjoy hamburgers.
43. I made lemonade from the lemons on the lemon tree in the backyard.
44. I ate pasta five times (meals) in three days.
45. I made pancakes for the first time.
46. It was a big deal when I accidentally used tap water in baking (but dukoral saved me).
47. I was a prohibited immigrant for 17 hours.
48. I have had Ashlee Simpson stuck in my head multiple times (thanks Lauren…)
49. I showed my dad how to use a computer program (instead of him showing me).
50. Glass bottles are cheaper than plastic.
51. I forgot my malaria pill for the first time on April 23 (one month after I’d been here).
52. Strangers have played with my hair on three separate occasions.
53. I am learning Bemba. [Ishina lyandi ni Temwani, Nikwisa ukuli nganda?, inkoko, zapatos, umona, wadi, poushi, na to te la sena].
54. My name was changed from Alanna to Mutale, to Masonda, to Temwani.
55. A pothole being filled is a joyous occasion.
56. I ate sugar cane.
57. I used a wheelbarrow as a lounge chair.
58. We have wicker furniture.
59. I wish I could have a footbath everyday.
60. I have a chocolate bar wrapper collection.
61. I tried “Granadilla Schweppes.”
62. Sucrose-free chocolate is readily available.
63. The grocery helper pushed the buggy to our vehicle, which was one and a half blocks away.
64. I spoke at a youth group.
65. I painted my room (green).
66. I saw a U.N. memorial site.
67. I saw oxen (on the side of the road).
68. I ate lunch ate golf course.
69. My house is not soundproof.
70. I saw yellow bike tires.
71. There was a sweet party with lots of drums and ululations down the street.
72. I played with litchi seeds: natural finger paint.
73. I have 22 pairs of underwear.
74. We have a housekeeper.
75. I saw an actual Barbie* Magazine.
76. I learned how to (properly) wash clothes by hand.
77. I made a bouquet with flowers from the backyard (and didn’t get in trouble).
78. I made enchima.
79. I like avocado.
80. Waking up at 9:30 am is sleeping in – late.
81. I stood next to a giant coke bottle.
82. I’ve been to a lake/dam with crocodiles in it.
83. Sometimes I crave water and vegetables.
84. I haven’t been outside of my property (the walls) in 56 hours.
85. Someone shouting into a loud speaker just drove down my street.
86. I got an amazing farmer’s burn.
87. I saw someone carrying live goats on the back of their bike.
88. Someone asked if they could draw me.
89. My dream took place in Africa (rather than Canada).
90. I know someone who’s gone bungee jumping.
91. We have a bright orange shower curtain.
92. We have a truck.
93. I am good at cutting apples.
94. We have Ikea chairs.
95. I did the “Ball and Band” workout.
96. I enjoy Ruby Red Grapefruit juice.
97. We have a work permit.
98. My dad doesn’t snore anymore.
99. I made my bed everyday for five weeks in a row.
100.Our phone has a better long distance rate than local rate.
101.The term “ex-pat” means something to me.
So that was my exciting list of strange and new adventures. Comment on your favourite one.
21.5.06
Scollted
It’s true, I don’t want to write a new post, but I know I should up date. So instead, I cut and pasted about 10 different emails to 10 different people from the past week or so. Sorry if they aren’t in the right order, or don’t flow very well, but at least you’ll know what’s been happening to here. The writing isn’t blog style, it’s email style. So, from here on, these are parts of emails:
K, so today we went to the Bersags for pizza, because they're back from South Africa (and Brock too). AND before we left they gave us the stuff that Brock brought for us! When we got home it was like Christmas! Well, weirdest ever, somehow we pull out these twelve sheets of scrap book paper... uhh??? and then scrap book stickers... who knows? And I have a white tank top. My only spaghetti strap one (thanks Kristin) which might possibly save my life come October. And I saw Lauren's new clothes from South, and she is excited- especially for her new guess shoes which I tried on, and only fell over in... twice. We look like two different species standing next to each other with me in those shoes (so tall!). And now I am very excited to put ALL the pictures on the fridge with our new magnets!!! YAY!! And I've been looking forward to my black tank top that I forgot for so long. And the sandals were a bonus - wasn't expecting those. and lip gloss - man I'm stocked.
Play outside, yes. On the playground with the peeps. they're fun. I like the swings and the tires. they play tag on the tires (we're talking gigantic tires - bigger than a tractor), and when they tag someone they say "touch." Sports, well I've played volleyball, basketball, and futbol - soccer.
Someone asked if they could draw me today. They seemed sincere- not creepy - but it was still a boy, so I thought it was weird, and changed the subject. Mmmm... I told dad that he should find a hobby, like colouring in colouring books, and he said, "No, I'm not ready to sink to that level." "What level, dad?" hahahah.
It's 12:30, and I woke up at 6:30 this morning. Wow, what an eventful day. So much fun though!! As soon as I got to the office building (where the team room is) Mary (who's bedroom window is connected to the wall of the office building, in a weird way) said Hi to me, and it was good, because I missed her after three days. She's fun. K, so usually I go to VOH in the morning, arrive by 8am, and sleep till 9-9:30, or maybe even 10. But today I didn't; I started scool write away, and finished a lesson. Then I find out at 9:00 that.... dun dun dun... the CONTAINER CAME!!!!
We weren't expecting it for minimum another week (though it was shipped last November - the CAC one), and me personally was thinking it would take at least another 3 weeks. But it was there. So I rounded up Mary, and we walked down there, and waited... and waited... and waited. Finally I came back inside and ate some lunch at around 11:30 after hanging around with Mary for a while, and Nancy and my mom were talking inside the building, and Nancy said they had to wait for an inspector to come and inspect the container before we unloaded.
Finally he came, and they started. I was the official video-camera-er, and that's what I did. It was hot in the sun. I took breaks in the shade and talked with Webby a bunch today, and Dani too. (Sometime later, Dani was carying around a white cardboard sign with red painted letters that said, "I love my wife." hahahah.
Then, the container was finally unloaded (we got most of our stuff, but couldn't find some), and I saw the 'kids' containers' from CAC, and thought "hey! I packed two of those!!" So I filmed the setting down of those. I also lifted two bales of clothing - HEAVY!!! and carried two boxes. one I even tried on my head. I met Mausaso Banda today; he's our sponsor child. Cool!! Then Mary called me (she was at school) and I came to her class - which only had three people in it, because the rest were helping to put the things from the container away.
Then, I left the class and see my mom and Lauren waving to me, which is strange, because Lauren never goes out to VOH, and I get closer, and realise that it is Lauren Airth! And I hadn't seen her in over a month (well, actually I have only met her ... once at the China Kitchen in Canada, once at her house after the airport, once in Kitwe, and right then). So we talked for a while, and walked around. So then I met her brother, Sean, and came to Kopa with them in their AMAZING (seriously, the shocks are so good, better than the landcruiser even, that you don't feel ANY bumps at ALL!!! wow. and it was so... quiet - like the car, not us.) Blue truck. The Airths are staying in the guest house at our (kopa) house tonight, because they were so excited to see their (whole life) stuff from the container. So they brought their boxes here, and were sorting through them -it was like christmas!! wow. And they brought Canadian chocolate!! mmmm. I had mini smarties, kitkat, aero, and coffee crisp. mmm. And they made a box of extra (mostly toiletries) for us, that they didn't need. like christmas, again. And then my parents came home, and brought our stuff. We set up the Poang chairs from Ikea, which are SOOOOOO comfortable, ESPECIALLY compared to the ones we have now. mmm. nice.
K, so then we went to the Bersags for Pizza, and it was bersags, us, airths, jonuts (other missionary family) and robinsons (alicias family).
OH! more news, I got a farmers BURN today. I was wearing short sleeves without sunscreen, and was out in the sun alll day, and there is definite red, with definite white.
K, so it is past one in the morning. I reorganized my closet today. I love doing that. and I also love arranging things so they fit tightly in a box - or an enclosed area. We are having breakfast with the Airths tomorrow.
And on friday the container came, and I was video taping, and suddenly, I see one of our boxes, and think, "Hey! I taped that up five months ago!" It was such a weird feeling. But, now we have shampoo AND conditioner, which is fun. We are stocked. And the airth's had a bunch of Canadian candy in their boxes, so I got M&Ms, coffee crisp, kit kat, (canadian) smarties, ahhh... so good. I finally have a dirty clothes bin. no more hanging everything in mesh laundry bags. fun. And dad is trying to hook up a washer (this one will automatically fill, so no more filling it from the sink beside). Dad preached on thursday. And on saturday serge solved all of the world's problems. And Brock is going to paint victoria's old place. June 5th the boxes of love get handed out.
It's almost winter (June), so it's not incredibly hot. It is still warm during the day, but at night it will get down to about 5 degrees.
was thinking today about how the rest of the world think people who speak english are lucky - because they don't have to learn it as a second language. But I think that the rest of the world is lucky - because they can speak two languages! I wish I could. That is one of my goals in life. Wouldn't it be fun to be a translator? For the UN or something? (after watching 'the interpreter...)
I was going through the pictures on my computer, and have a new theory: Persons with blue eyes are subject to the condition known as "red eye" when a photograph is taken of them while using a flash; this happens more frequently in blue-eyed persons than green, or brown-eyed persons.
home. wait, no, in Canada. The term 'home' confuses me now.
ps - I always spell my name wrong.
pps - I wrote Lauren B a poem:
L is for Lemony Fresh.
A is for Annoying Ashlee Simpson.
U is for Ulilating in church.
R is for reminiscing childhood memories.
E is for Eddie, your dog.
N is for a New haircut!
What the heck, some crazy il divo italien love songs just came on my mp3 player. Apparently a mp3 player/radio/tape player/ music in any mini size is called a "nigel." So I had my mp3 in my pocket, and the kids would point to it and say, "show me your nigel!" ahah. at least thats what I thought they were saying.
I saw a Barbie Magazine in Upper Kitwe Grocery store! where there is normally a picture of a model on the cover of a magazine, there was a picture of a barbie, and the magazine was called Barbie.*
And that is the end of the email parts.
K, so today we went to the Bersags for pizza, because they're back from South Africa (and Brock too). AND before we left they gave us the stuff that Brock brought for us! When we got home it was like Christmas! Well, weirdest ever, somehow we pull out these twelve sheets of scrap book paper... uhh??? and then scrap book stickers... who knows? And I have a white tank top. My only spaghetti strap one (thanks Kristin) which might possibly save my life come October. And I saw Lauren's new clothes from South, and she is excited- especially for her new guess shoes which I tried on, and only fell over in... twice. We look like two different species standing next to each other with me in those shoes (so tall!). And now I am very excited to put ALL the pictures on the fridge with our new magnets!!! YAY!! And I've been looking forward to my black tank top that I forgot for so long. And the sandals were a bonus - wasn't expecting those. and lip gloss - man I'm stocked.
Play outside, yes. On the playground with the peeps. they're fun. I like the swings and the tires. they play tag on the tires (we're talking gigantic tires - bigger than a tractor), and when they tag someone they say "touch." Sports, well I've played volleyball, basketball, and futbol - soccer.
Someone asked if they could draw me today. They seemed sincere- not creepy - but it was still a boy, so I thought it was weird, and changed the subject. Mmmm... I told dad that he should find a hobby, like colouring in colouring books, and he said, "No, I'm not ready to sink to that level." "What level, dad?" hahahah.
It's 12:30, and I woke up at 6:30 this morning. Wow, what an eventful day. So much fun though!! As soon as I got to the office building (where the team room is) Mary (who's bedroom window is connected to the wall of the office building, in a weird way) said Hi to me, and it was good, because I missed her after three days. She's fun. K, so usually I go to VOH in the morning, arrive by 8am, and sleep till 9-9:30, or maybe even 10. But today I didn't; I started scool write away, and finished a lesson. Then I find out at 9:00 that.... dun dun dun... the CONTAINER CAME!!!!
We weren't expecting it for minimum another week (though it was shipped last November - the CAC one), and me personally was thinking it would take at least another 3 weeks. But it was there. So I rounded up Mary, and we walked down there, and waited... and waited... and waited. Finally I came back inside and ate some lunch at around 11:30 after hanging around with Mary for a while, and Nancy and my mom were talking inside the building, and Nancy said they had to wait for an inspector to come and inspect the container before we unloaded.
Finally he came, and they started. I was the official video-camera-er, and that's what I did. It was hot in the sun. I took breaks in the shade and talked with Webby a bunch today, and Dani too. (Sometime later, Dani was carying around a white cardboard sign with red painted letters that said, "I love my wife." hahahah.
Then, the container was finally unloaded (we got most of our stuff, but couldn't find some), and I saw the 'kids' containers' from CAC, and thought "hey! I packed two of those!!" So I filmed the setting down of those. I also lifted two bales of clothing - HEAVY!!! and carried two boxes. one I even tried on my head. I met Mausaso Banda today; he's our sponsor child. Cool!! Then Mary called me (she was at school) and I came to her class - which only had three people in it, because the rest were helping to put the things from the container away.
Then, I left the class and see my mom and Lauren waving to me, which is strange, because Lauren never goes out to VOH, and I get closer, and realise that it is Lauren Airth! And I hadn't seen her in over a month (well, actually I have only met her ... once at the China Kitchen in Canada, once at her house after the airport, once in Kitwe, and right then). So we talked for a while, and walked around. So then I met her brother, Sean, and came to Kopa with them in their AMAZING (seriously, the shocks are so good, better than the landcruiser even, that you don't feel ANY bumps at ALL!!! wow. and it was so... quiet - like the car, not us.) Blue truck. The Airths are staying in the guest house at our (kopa) house tonight, because they were so excited to see their (whole life) stuff from the container. So they brought their boxes here, and were sorting through them -it was like christmas!! wow. And they brought Canadian chocolate!! mmmm. I had mini smarties, kitkat, aero, and coffee crisp. mmm. And they made a box of extra (mostly toiletries) for us, that they didn't need. like christmas, again. And then my parents came home, and brought our stuff. We set up the Poang chairs from Ikea, which are SOOOOOO comfortable, ESPECIALLY compared to the ones we have now. mmm. nice.
K, so then we went to the Bersags for Pizza, and it was bersags, us, airths, jonuts (other missionary family) and robinsons (alicias family).
OH! more news, I got a farmers BURN today. I was wearing short sleeves without sunscreen, and was out in the sun alll day, and there is definite red, with definite white.
K, so it is past one in the morning. I reorganized my closet today. I love doing that. and I also love arranging things so they fit tightly in a box - or an enclosed area. We are having breakfast with the Airths tomorrow.
And on friday the container came, and I was video taping, and suddenly, I see one of our boxes, and think, "Hey! I taped that up five months ago!" It was such a weird feeling. But, now we have shampoo AND conditioner, which is fun. We are stocked. And the airth's had a bunch of Canadian candy in their boxes, so I got M&Ms, coffee crisp, kit kat, (canadian) smarties, ahhh... so good. I finally have a dirty clothes bin. no more hanging everything in mesh laundry bags. fun. And dad is trying to hook up a washer (this one will automatically fill, so no more filling it from the sink beside). Dad preached on thursday. And on saturday serge solved all of the world's problems. And Brock is going to paint victoria's old place. June 5th the boxes of love get handed out.
It's almost winter (June), so it's not incredibly hot. It is still warm during the day, but at night it will get down to about 5 degrees.
was thinking today about how the rest of the world think people who speak english are lucky - because they don't have to learn it as a second language. But I think that the rest of the world is lucky - because they can speak two languages! I wish I could. That is one of my goals in life. Wouldn't it be fun to be a translator? For the UN or something? (after watching 'the interpreter...)
I was going through the pictures on my computer, and have a new theory: Persons with blue eyes are subject to the condition known as "red eye" when a photograph is taken of them while using a flash; this happens more frequently in blue-eyed persons than green, or brown-eyed persons.
home. wait, no, in Canada. The term 'home' confuses me now.
ps - I always spell my name wrong.
pps - I wrote Lauren B a poem:
L is for Lemony Fresh.
A is for Annoying Ashlee Simpson.
U is for Ulilating in church.
R is for reminiscing childhood memories.
E is for Eddie, your dog.
N is for a New haircut!
What the heck, some crazy il divo italien love songs just came on my mp3 player. Apparently a mp3 player/radio/tape player/ music in any mini size is called a "nigel." So I had my mp3 in my pocket, and the kids would point to it and say, "show me your nigel!" ahah. at least thats what I thought they were saying.
I saw a Barbie Magazine in Upper Kitwe Grocery store! where there is normally a picture of a model on the cover of a magazine, there was a picture of a barbie, and the magazine was called Barbie.*
And that is the end of the email parts.
11.5.06
Plunder of Copernicus
Here’s the post that I started on May 5:
Yesterday was an experience. First, in the morning we were really rushed, so I didn’t end up brining my laptop, and found out that the paper course work that I brought I really couldn’t do anyways. So I took a lot of breaks.
I went on the swings on the playground outside the office building where I do my work. (I love going to a high school that has a playground. Oh, the benefits of Distance Ed…). Mary came up to me and asked if I wanted to go to TTC (Trans-Africa Theology College) to buy sugar cane. I had nothing else to do, so decided to go. Peter came with us. TTC is about the equivalent of two blocks away from VOH. There was the option of walking on the dirt road, or walking on the grass/dirt path. We took the path, because Mary didn’t want to get dirty.
We walked through the gates of TTC, which is a very nice campus. There were lots of big trees – Mary said they were mango trees (which are in season from November – January). We walked along the gravel road, and I noticed that on the right-hand side, there were a bunch of houses with gates connecting to the outer wall of TCC. I was just about to ask if they were where the students of TTC lived, when
Here’s the ending, and the rest of what’s happened since them. In point form for your enjoyment, and my overwhelmed ness to go into detail about six days worth of events.
-we went to Peter and Mary’s friend Alex’s house, and he gave us sugar cane from his backyard, then taught me how to eat it. Sugar cane is the main snack food here. It’s really cheap, tastes like watermelon. It is a plant, so you peel off the ‘bark’ then take a bite of the inside; chew it, suck out all the juice, and spit it out. (You need strong teeth… very strong teeth.)
-next we went to Joseph’s house (another friend) who lived two doors down from Alex. It was the first real African house I had been in (we’re not talking mud thatched roofs, or rich houses left over from the Brits, but normal, probably the next step or two up from a compound or mud house). It was neat to see all the decorations (of stuffed animals) and furnishings. Cool. Authentic.
-the next day I went to the youth group, listened to Peter preach in Bemba (because he was translating for himself, and I guess he forgot about it after a while). Then we split up into two groups and played volleyball and basketball. I would say that they have great gaming skills, but not too much technique.
-Saturday I read my book, and enjoyed sleeping in. At night my parents and I played Settlers of Catan – it was an experience (subject to publicity rights).
-Sunday we decided to go to the golf course in Chingola for lunch. It took us 30 minutes of driving around (the small town), and directions from two different gas station attendants (one told us to go left, the other told us to go right.. hahah), when we finally spotted it. It was a buffet style lunch, and it was weird for me, because the only buffets I’ve been at are breakfast or the China Kitchen. Afterwards we took pictures outside (my mom and I decided to dress up – I wore a skirt and my wonderful beads).
-On Monday we got our new housekeeper – Mwansa; meaning that I don’t have to make my bed anymore, or clean the bathroom. She’s good. She even made banana bread today (though she had never heard of it before…)
-Monday and Tuesday I showed some people the ‘snaps’ on my computer. There were lots of gasps, and ooohhs and aaaahhhs when it came to the pictures of my hot sister.
-Wednesday I stayed home to catch up with school, and mom and dad took HTI to the banana plantation.
-Today I wrote my first tests for school, and stayed home the rest of the day. The container came today; the Boxes of Love one. I think they’ll be handed out next week. I’m excited.
OHHH FUNNIEST commercial EVVVVVER!!!! On the way to VOH on Tuesday we were listening to the radio. Then it came to the commercial break, and there was a commercial for “Harriet’s Bakery.” So there was techno music in the background (think DJ Sammy – we’re in heaven), but every time the announcer said something, the music would go off. The breaks were only two seconds or less, so it was like someone turning the CD player on mute, off mute, on mute off mute… But, the best part, the actual content of the commercial. “Come down… to Harriet’s Bakery… Nshima and rice… with… chicken… or two piece chicken… Nshima and vegetables… Nshima and Tomat – sorry, tomato… Nshima and beans… Nshima and onion… Nshima and maize… Nshima and bread… Nshima and sauce… Nshima and beef… And a drink… All… for just one… low price… very good… very tasty… come to… Harriety’s Bakery… we have… all sorts of… food that you… will love… good quality at… Harriet’s Bakery.” That is just a paraphrase of the ad, but it went on, and on, and on. The “…” represents when the techno music came on when the announcer paused. The Nshima part with other side dishes went on for SOOO long, I didn’t remember all of them. Then the ad would replay, and it would go back to music. I almost couldn’t laugh. I was in such disbelief that a radio commercial could be like that – dragging on for at least three minutes. Wow. I want to record it with my MP3 player. Wow.
Yesterday was an experience. First, in the morning we were really rushed, so I didn’t end up brining my laptop, and found out that the paper course work that I brought I really couldn’t do anyways. So I took a lot of breaks.
I went on the swings on the playground outside the office building where I do my work. (I love going to a high school that has a playground. Oh, the benefits of Distance Ed…). Mary came up to me and asked if I wanted to go to TTC (Trans-Africa Theology College) to buy sugar cane. I had nothing else to do, so decided to go. Peter came with us. TTC is about the equivalent of two blocks away from VOH. There was the option of walking on the dirt road, or walking on the grass/dirt path. We took the path, because Mary didn’t want to get dirty.
We walked through the gates of TTC, which is a very nice campus. There were lots of big trees – Mary said they were mango trees (which are in season from November – January). We walked along the gravel road, and I noticed that on the right-hand side, there were a bunch of houses with gates connecting to the outer wall of TCC. I was just about to ask if they were where the students of TTC lived, when
Here’s the ending, and the rest of what’s happened since them. In point form for your enjoyment, and my overwhelmed ness to go into detail about six days worth of events.
-we went to Peter and Mary’s friend Alex’s house, and he gave us sugar cane from his backyard, then taught me how to eat it. Sugar cane is the main snack food here. It’s really cheap, tastes like watermelon. It is a plant, so you peel off the ‘bark’ then take a bite of the inside; chew it, suck out all the juice, and spit it out. (You need strong teeth… very strong teeth.)
-next we went to Joseph’s house (another friend) who lived two doors down from Alex. It was the first real African house I had been in (we’re not talking mud thatched roofs, or rich houses left over from the Brits, but normal, probably the next step or two up from a compound or mud house). It was neat to see all the decorations (of stuffed animals) and furnishings. Cool. Authentic.
-the next day I went to the youth group, listened to Peter preach in Bemba (because he was translating for himself, and I guess he forgot about it after a while). Then we split up into two groups and played volleyball and basketball. I would say that they have great gaming skills, but not too much technique.
-Saturday I read my book, and enjoyed sleeping in. At night my parents and I played Settlers of Catan – it was an experience (subject to publicity rights).
-Sunday we decided to go to the golf course in Chingola for lunch. It took us 30 minutes of driving around (the small town), and directions from two different gas station attendants (one told us to go left, the other told us to go right.. hahah), when we finally spotted it. It was a buffet style lunch, and it was weird for me, because the only buffets I’ve been at are breakfast or the China Kitchen. Afterwards we took pictures outside (my mom and I decided to dress up – I wore a skirt and my wonderful beads).
-On Monday we got our new housekeeper – Mwansa; meaning that I don’t have to make my bed anymore, or clean the bathroom. She’s good. She even made banana bread today (though she had never heard of it before…)
-Monday and Tuesday I showed some people the ‘snaps’ on my computer. There were lots of gasps, and ooohhs and aaaahhhs when it came to the pictures of my hot sister.
-Wednesday I stayed home to catch up with school, and mom and dad took HTI to the banana plantation.
-Today I wrote my first tests for school, and stayed home the rest of the day. The container came today; the Boxes of Love one. I think they’ll be handed out next week. I’m excited.
OHHH FUNNIEST commercial EVVVVVER!!!! On the way to VOH on Tuesday we were listening to the radio. Then it came to the commercial break, and there was a commercial for “Harriet’s Bakery.” So there was techno music in the background (think DJ Sammy – we’re in heaven), but every time the announcer said something, the music would go off. The breaks were only two seconds or less, so it was like someone turning the CD player on mute, off mute, on mute off mute… But, the best part, the actual content of the commercial. “Come down… to Harriet’s Bakery… Nshima and rice… with… chicken… or two piece chicken… Nshima and vegetables… Nshima and Tomat – sorry, tomato… Nshima and beans… Nshima and onion… Nshima and maize… Nshima and bread… Nshima and sauce… Nshima and beef… And a drink… All… for just one… low price… very good… very tasty… come to… Harriety’s Bakery… we have… all sorts of… food that you… will love… good quality at… Harriet’s Bakery.” That is just a paraphrase of the ad, but it went on, and on, and on. The “…” represents when the techno music came on when the announcer paused. The Nshima part with other side dishes went on for SOOO long, I didn’t remember all of them. Then the ad would replay, and it would go back to music. I almost couldn’t laugh. I was in such disbelief that a radio commercial could be like that – dragging on for at least three minutes. Wow. I want to record it with my MP3 player. Wow.
1.5.06
An Ode to Ads
Today, as we were driving home from VOH, we parked in front of Dynasty Grocery Store, so that my mom could go to G&G Bakery and buy bread. As we were waiting in the car, I noticed an amazing hand-painted, yet professional ad (as they all are) on the side of Dynasty’s brick exterior. It was for new herbal Colgate toothpaste – which in itself is amazing.
This leads me to the rest of the ads in Zambia. Everywhere you look there is an ad. They are colorfully painted on the side of grey brick (though often whitewashed) walls, up on billboards (or there is a billboard that says ‘Advertising Space call cell…’ sometimes more than one in the same round-about).
All of the advertisements are done in the same way: painted nicely, and professionally, but you can still tell that they are hand painted. The only ads that I’ve seen that look like they were designed on a computer are the Celtel (a cell phone company) ones. They are on the big billboards along the roads, and usually red or yellow. The weirdest part about the painted ads is that a lot of times they are for products you can get in Canada. I am so used to seeing computer graphics, that when I see those ones its as if they are for a ‘design your own advertisement’ activity for school.
One company that gets a highlight is Harvey Tile. Their advertisements always include 'vice versa.' Two I've seen are: 'A roof without Harvey Tile is like a mouse without a computer, or vice versa.' And, 'A roof without Harvey Tile is like a person without a saviour, or vice versa.'
The commercials on TV are rather confusing as well. I usually only watch the uninterrupted movie channel, so I don’t see many commercials. The ones I do see leave me wondering what the product being sold is – and my guess is usually wrong.
The main difference between advertisements here and those in Canada are that there are so many here! You are bombarded with them everywhere you look. Since everyone has a wall, the ads go side-by-side, jam packed together. It does add color to the otherwise dreary walls, but can be a little overwhelming.
This leads me to the rest of the ads in Zambia. Everywhere you look there is an ad. They are colorfully painted on the side of grey brick (though often whitewashed) walls, up on billboards (or there is a billboard that says ‘Advertising Space call cell…’ sometimes more than one in the same round-about).
All of the advertisements are done in the same way: painted nicely, and professionally, but you can still tell that they are hand painted. The only ads that I’ve seen that look like they were designed on a computer are the Celtel (a cell phone company) ones. They are on the big billboards along the roads, and usually red or yellow. The weirdest part about the painted ads is that a lot of times they are for products you can get in Canada. I am so used to seeing computer graphics, that when I see those ones its as if they are for a ‘design your own advertisement’ activity for school.
One company that gets a highlight is Harvey Tile. Their advertisements always include 'vice versa.' Two I've seen are: 'A roof without Harvey Tile is like a mouse without a computer, or vice versa.' And, 'A roof without Harvey Tile is like a person without a saviour, or vice versa.'
The commercials on TV are rather confusing as well. I usually only watch the uninterrupted movie channel, so I don’t see many commercials. The ones I do see leave me wondering what the product being sold is – and my guess is usually wrong.
The main difference between advertisements here and those in Canada are that there are so many here! You are bombarded with them everywhere you look. Since everyone has a wall, the ads go side-by-side, jam packed together. It does add color to the otherwise dreary walls, but can be a little overwhelming.
