Notes on a country

- It was a little bit windy the other day (approximately 20° C) and as I trotted to work in my skirt and t-shirt (feeling quite hot) I was amused to see a few Zambians in hardcore winter jackets! Thick, puffy, winter jackets! It made me smile…
- Speaking of weather: this uniform weather (every day is hot and sunny) is getting a little bit boring. I miss autumn! The only autumn leaves I get are on my computer’s desktop… though though though, it rained today! So exciting!
- The Zambians really don’t seem to like the Chinese. They seem happy enough to have all the other foreigners here but again and again on the radio and newspaper there are pretty brazen anti-Chinese headlines. I’ve been told that the sentiments are due to the poor and unsafe working conditions created by the Chinese mine owners. It’s supposedly pretty miserable and exploitative. Still, such overt statements are jarring.
- Because some of you have asked: the official HIV prevalence rate in Zambia is 17%. However, most people suspect the rate to actually be much higher, with some saying it is as high as 30% in Lusaka.
- Homosexuality is illegal here and they take such offences very seriously. Yesterday’s headline was “white Zambian student gets arrested for homosexuality”…. In line with such standpoints I was not surprised to also find out that the government is considering changing Zambia into a Christian nation (like the Vatican)… It’s not actually so surprising, as most/all people here are very religious.
- I have found that the generosity of Zambian (and foreign) people here is pretty remarkable. For instance, from visiting the dormitories I’ve learned that most of the rooms are actually only rented to two people (which is cramped, but acceptable) however, the majority of students permanently share their little single beds out of charity for friends/strangers who come knock at their door and need a place to stay (as many of them come from across the country and can’t afford rent in town). That’s one small room, two single beds and four people! Also, you frequently hear of people giving any extra money they have to friends or relatives who are in need. The same goes for meals, rides and accommodation. It’s pretty inspiring to be living among such community-centered, generous people.
- It seems as though many Zambians fry up caterpillars and eat them during special occasions… more to come on creepy crawler explorations…
- Just to set all of you straight, there is no Halloween here. It’s quite unfortunate. However, I may dress up as a giraffe nonetheless (not really, I wish!).
- Before these notes get any more random… I’ll quit while I’m ahead…