- 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…
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Mum's the word
My mom’s here! She arrived safe and sound (and a little tired) on Thursday early morning, and seems to have settled in quite well – it was so good to finally see her! Thursday was spent unpacking, sleeping and going to the mall to get some foodstuffs and appliances. For some reason my mother’s living standards are higher than mine (haha)… I mean really, who actually needs sharp knives, toasters and bowls? Yesterday I had to go to work so my mom stayed at home, got used to the viscous guard dog, slept some more and made a lovely dinner (so nice to come home to!). Today we went to the Dutch market and had a really good time. We bought lots of vegetables, I got a very pretty hat (to shade me on the long walk to work), had some coffee and Chinese buns, and I introduced her to my friends here. She seems quite happy here, likes the apartment, is very interested in the local culture and I have a few volunteer leads she seems happy about (mainly with children, AIDS and education). Unfortunately though, I think she is a little bit surprised by the distance between home and town (therefore requiring long walks or taxis for her). Understandably, she doesn’t feel very independent… however, I think as she gets used to walking, gets a phone and explores the bus and taxis she will feel a lot better. Also, we plan to go on a safari in 2 weeks (yay!) so that should be a fun break for us both… more on that soon :)
Not much is new on my end. I met those two Canadian girls (Emily & Julie) for Indian food and drinks last week, and had a really good time – they’re really nice girls. Independence day was pretty uneventful, except that the Zambians seemed a lot more happy and friendly on their day off and many wore the national flag as an outfit (I just went into work and went for a coffee with my Czech neighbour Michelle). Speaking of work, it’s still going quite well. I’ve gotten used to the speed (and the often cancelled meetings haha), and the big good news for me is that the gender equity project I have been working on has been fully supported by my supervisor in Toronto. On Tuesday he told me he was happy to switch the focus in Zambia from Physical Education (which has proven to be a difficult department to work with) to Gender Studies. As a result, much of my time has been spent emailing, working on proposals and attending workshops. Last week I observed the Gender Equity section of a Peer Education workshop (for student AIDS educators). It was great to see my two student colleagues/the initiators of all the gender work (Bob & Remmy) conducting the workshops and asking the students to debate statements like ‘men are good at raising children’, ‘women should be virgins when they marry’ and ‘men are emotionally stronger than women’. Very interesting and fun to be part of.
I think that’s about it on my end… I should probably scurry home to my dinner!... Please do keep in touch. I like hearing about all of your lives as much as you (hopefully) like hearing about my adventures here!
Not much is new on my end. I met those two Canadian girls (Emily & Julie) for Indian food and drinks last week, and had a really good time – they’re really nice girls. Independence day was pretty uneventful, except that the Zambians seemed a lot more happy and friendly on their day off and many wore the national flag as an outfit (I just went into work and went for a coffee with my Czech neighbour Michelle). Speaking of work, it’s still going quite well. I’ve gotten used to the speed (and the often cancelled meetings haha), and the big good news for me is that the gender equity project I have been working on has been fully supported by my supervisor in Toronto. On Tuesday he told me he was happy to switch the focus in Zambia from Physical Education (which has proven to be a difficult department to work with) to Gender Studies. As a result, much of my time has been spent emailing, working on proposals and attending workshops. Last week I observed the Gender Equity section of a Peer Education workshop (for student AIDS educators). It was great to see my two student colleagues/the initiators of all the gender work (Bob & Remmy) conducting the workshops and asking the students to debate statements like ‘men are good at raising children’, ‘women should be virgins when they marry’ and ‘men are emotionally stronger than women’. Very interesting and fun to be part of.
I think that’s about it on my end… I should probably scurry home to my dinner!... Please do keep in touch. I like hearing about all of your lives as much as you (hopefully) like hearing about my adventures here!
Sunday, October 21, 2007
I (heart) Stephanie Nolen
Guess who just got a personal email reply from Stephanie Nolen?!! Yup, that’s right, yours truly! I am high as a kite right now! I had sent her an email asking about the possibility of writing while in Zambia and she recommended I didn’t have enough time to research for a book but gave me some good advice about writing for the Globe (she even told me to first send her my pitch!). I am really happy that she was so encouraging… this only makes me love her even more. (Jen & Andrea: this just further confirms my plans to have Stephanie and Stephen Lewis at certain upcoming events mwahaha)
On a less exciting note: I’ve been pretty sick the past few days and I suspect it is from drinking a drink which had ice cubes from tap water. Thanks to my doctor neighbour (and Rob’s friend Anne!) I figured out that the ice was likely the culprit. Boy have I learned my lesson!
There’s not too too much to report this week, it’s been very busy at work/around Lusaka trying to get my student visa in order and completing my status report (and other documents) for my supervisor in Toronto. But, it’s been good, and there is constant progress with the gender equity project so I’m happy as a clam.
One excitement was going to visit the Education Center run by my Czech neighbours. The owner of this clinic is pretty awesome – all the profit he makes from his private medical clinic (where I live) goes towards running this education center for street children. The center provides basic education and arts/culture activities – it’s a really nice place and the kids absolutely love being there. The day I went I helped sharpen pencils, watched the kids learn about ‘creating perspective when drawing, and watched a batik-making lesson (provided for the older girls). It was very interesting. I had such a good time, I would really love to be able to spend all of my time there. Unfortunately U of T would not allow that, however, I asked my supervisors here if I could spend an afternoon a week at the Center and they were very receptive to the idea. Hopefully I’ll find time to go!
The rest of the week was pretty relaxed, watched Grey’s Anatomy with my two Canadian friends Wednesday, watched a video with a coworker on Thursday and went to a party at the American Ambassador’s house Friday (the party was okay, not fantastic, especially since that is where I encountered said ice cubes! haha). Other than that, I’ve enjoyed catching up with a few particularly witty girl friends over msn, have been having very nice chats with a certain lovely boyfriend, have been working on PhD applications (I probably should be doing them right now!), have started cleaning up for my Mom’s arrival (Thursday! Yay!) and have begun to contemplate the upcoming Independence Day this Wednesday (it actually will likely be rather uneventful because a lot of people drink and drive that day and I’ve been cautioned to stay home!)… I think that’s about it! Back to melting over Mrs. Nolen’s email! Haha
Check out new photos at: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2158772&l=0a815&id=13613119
On a less exciting note: I’ve been pretty sick the past few days and I suspect it is from drinking a drink which had ice cubes from tap water. Thanks to my doctor neighbour (and Rob’s friend Anne!) I figured out that the ice was likely the culprit. Boy have I learned my lesson!
There’s not too too much to report this week, it’s been very busy at work/around Lusaka trying to get my student visa in order and completing my status report (and other documents) for my supervisor in Toronto. But, it’s been good, and there is constant progress with the gender equity project so I’m happy as a clam.
One excitement was going to visit the Education Center run by my Czech neighbours. The owner of this clinic is pretty awesome – all the profit he makes from his private medical clinic (where I live) goes towards running this education center for street children. The center provides basic education and arts/culture activities – it’s a really nice place and the kids absolutely love being there. The day I went I helped sharpen pencils, watched the kids learn about ‘creating perspective when drawing, and watched a batik-making lesson (provided for the older girls). It was very interesting. I had such a good time, I would really love to be able to spend all of my time there. Unfortunately U of T would not allow that, however, I asked my supervisors here if I could spend an afternoon a week at the Center and they were very receptive to the idea. Hopefully I’ll find time to go!
The rest of the week was pretty relaxed, watched Grey’s Anatomy with my two Canadian friends Wednesday, watched a video with a coworker on Thursday and went to a party at the American Ambassador’s house Friday (the party was okay, not fantastic, especially since that is where I encountered said ice cubes! haha). Other than that, I’ve enjoyed catching up with a few particularly witty girl friends over msn, have been having very nice chats with a certain lovely boyfriend, have been working on PhD applications (I probably should be doing them right now!), have started cleaning up for my Mom’s arrival (Thursday! Yay!) and have begun to contemplate the upcoming Independence Day this Wednesday (it actually will likely be rather uneventful because a lot of people drink and drive that day and I’ve been cautioned to stay home!)… I think that’s about it! Back to melting over Mrs. Nolen’s email! Haha
Check out new photos at: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2158772&l=0a815&id=13613119
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Livingstone & Victoria Falls
Last weekend I ventured out of my little city, down to Livingstone, to observe an AIDS prevention abstinence program run by a group of peer educators from UNZA (students involved with the AIDS Response Unit where I work). It was quite the trip.
The first day was spent on the bus, looking for a hostel that would house all 18 of us and (of course) checking out the Victoria Falls! What a beautiful place. I don’t think they are as big as Niagara, but they certainly are breathtaking and perhaps more beautiful. Since the water is low during this season you could see all of the incredible rock formations and even walk on the top of the falls (it’s all rocky, with pools of water)! I’d really like to go back there again when there is more water, and when I have a little bit more time to explore and take in the various views.
The second day was spent visiting three high schools in the area and observing the educators as they gave individual, interactive presentations to the older classes. The format of the presentation was usually: a general description of UNZA and the academic programs offered, general discussion of HIV/AIDS prevention and finally a discussion of the virtues of abstinence. I must admit, I was more convinced by this abstinence program after seeing it (I think it may have actually reached a number of the girls, but the boys seemed less willing). However, it was really hard to listen to the anti-condom banter that often accompanied the discussions. I understand why the educators needed to stress the unreliability of condoms so as to sell the abstinence message, but it was troubling to hear when it was clear that many of these students were already having sex. Anyways, while I am suspicious as to whether such abstinence programs do much good, I am still open to the possibility and think that it is difficult to predict Zambian results when still stuck in a Canadian mindset (where religion is less prominent, abstinence is pushed less and almost all public health programs have a safe sex element). We’ll see.
On a more positive note, I must say I was really really impressed by the peer educators – they were really able to connect with the students and speak articulately about their topic. I just wonder sometimes if it is hard for these educators to resolve in their minds their own religious beliefs (most of them are very Christian), the AIDS science/sociology they have been taught and the grants within which they must work (i.e. this program was funded by the socially conservative PEPFAR program).
When not ‘working’ I had a really good time getting to know the peer educators (we had a big bbq together, spent evenings in the dorms, etc). They’re a pretty fun bunch and I think I’ll likely be friends with a few of them. Already there is talk of going to the movies and shoe shopping with some of the ladies! Haha :) Should be fun.
When the professor and I returned from Livingstone (a painful 7 hour drive) we spent most of the week attending meetings at the University trying to arrange future projects for the professor (hopefully one aimed at mainstreaming AIDS into all undergrad curriculum). Overall, the meetings went well, but I think this project, along with all others, are going to move very very slowly. It’s going to take a bit of time getting used to the pace!
On a very good (personal) note: the gender equity project/ideas I discussed earlier seems to be supported by my Toronto boss, so hopefully over the next few weeks I’ll get a clearer idea of my exact involvement.
… Further (non-Livingstone related!) notes:
- Yes (Evan!), I have been picking up a bit of the local language (Nyanja) although most people speak English fluently. FYI: Muli bwanji (How are you), Bwino (I am fine), Zikomo (thank you)… this is about as far as I’ve gotten!
- I’m still hanging out with the Czechs a fair bit. Last night we had a huge bbq and today went to the game park to swim and bbq more (no giraffes were harmed). Tomorrow I think I’ll see those three Canadian girls again (CIDA interns).
- The rest of my time here is usually spent walking around, jogging (and getting lost), buying hippo-themed things, reading, investigating doctoral programs, emailing and attempting to download Grey’s Anatomy (pretty impossible!).
- I think that’s it!... which means I am off to bed… good night!
Check out photos @:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2163542&l=85251&id=13613119
The first day was spent on the bus, looking for a hostel that would house all 18 of us and (of course) checking out the Victoria Falls! What a beautiful place. I don’t think they are as big as Niagara, but they certainly are breathtaking and perhaps more beautiful. Since the water is low during this season you could see all of the incredible rock formations and even walk on the top of the falls (it’s all rocky, with pools of water)! I’d really like to go back there again when there is more water, and when I have a little bit more time to explore and take in the various views.
The second day was spent visiting three high schools in the area and observing the educators as they gave individual, interactive presentations to the older classes. The format of the presentation was usually: a general description of UNZA and the academic programs offered, general discussion of HIV/AIDS prevention and finally a discussion of the virtues of abstinence. I must admit, I was more convinced by this abstinence program after seeing it (I think it may have actually reached a number of the girls, but the boys seemed less willing). However, it was really hard to listen to the anti-condom banter that often accompanied the discussions. I understand why the educators needed to stress the unreliability of condoms so as to sell the abstinence message, but it was troubling to hear when it was clear that many of these students were already having sex. Anyways, while I am suspicious as to whether such abstinence programs do much good, I am still open to the possibility and think that it is difficult to predict Zambian results when still stuck in a Canadian mindset (where religion is less prominent, abstinence is pushed less and almost all public health programs have a safe sex element). We’ll see.
On a more positive note, I must say I was really really impressed by the peer educators – they were really able to connect with the students and speak articulately about their topic. I just wonder sometimes if it is hard for these educators to resolve in their minds their own religious beliefs (most of them are very Christian), the AIDS science/sociology they have been taught and the grants within which they must work (i.e. this program was funded by the socially conservative PEPFAR program).
When not ‘working’ I had a really good time getting to know the peer educators (we had a big bbq together, spent evenings in the dorms, etc). They’re a pretty fun bunch and I think I’ll likely be friends with a few of them. Already there is talk of going to the movies and shoe shopping with some of the ladies! Haha :) Should be fun.
When the professor and I returned from Livingstone (a painful 7 hour drive) we spent most of the week attending meetings at the University trying to arrange future projects for the professor (hopefully one aimed at mainstreaming AIDS into all undergrad curriculum). Overall, the meetings went well, but I think this project, along with all others, are going to move very very slowly. It’s going to take a bit of time getting used to the pace!
On a very good (personal) note: the gender equity project/ideas I discussed earlier seems to be supported by my Toronto boss, so hopefully over the next few weeks I’ll get a clearer idea of my exact involvement.
… Further (non-Livingstone related!) notes:
- Yes (Evan!), I have been picking up a bit of the local language (Nyanja) although most people speak English fluently. FYI: Muli bwanji (How are you), Bwino (I am fine), Zikomo (thank you)… this is about as far as I’ve gotten!
- I’m still hanging out with the Czechs a fair bit. Last night we had a huge bbq and today went to the game park to swim and bbq more (no giraffes were harmed). Tomorrow I think I’ll see those three Canadian girls again (CIDA interns).
- The rest of my time here is usually spent walking around, jogging (and getting lost), buying hippo-themed things, reading, investigating doctoral programs, emailing and attempting to download Grey’s Anatomy (pretty impossible!).
- I think that’s it!... which means I am off to bed… good night!
Check out photos @:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2163542&l=85251&id=13613119
Friday, October 5, 2007
Thanksgiving
Sooo, this entry has nothing to do with Thanksgiving (because it’s not celebrated here) but I’d just like to note: a) I didn’t realize it was Thanksgiving until Toronto emails reminded me and b) no matter how much I didn’t care about Thanksgiving in Toronto, I really am missing being home right now (oh, and the pumpkin pie!). Ok, and back to Africa life…
Things are still going very well (in life and at work), the new photos are from the Dutch market and an art show. The market is super civilized/touristy, but they do have some pretty nice jewellery, and my Czech friends sell orange juice to raise money for a children’s education program they have created. It was interesting to help out with the sales (a lot of my time was spent slowly drinking juice in front of the stand and commenting loudly how delicious it was) and I bought a nice skirt and some tomatoes. The art show was last night and was a lot of fun – beautiful paintings of Zambian things (people, animals, etc), interesting new people, and good food and wine. The photos I uploaded are of Radu’s work, but her husband also had many paintings – these are the people who I went to visit last weekend (volleyball, safari, etc). They are both very kind, and are the two in the middle of the photo (she’s Czech and in black, he’s Zambian, wearing a plaid shirt).
So those are the pictures. I really wish I could show you the other half of my life here, but I find it is difficult to because I feel uncomfortable/rude photographing strangers, plus, in the seedier areas of town I don’t really like bringing my camera. I’m sure I’ll get over both hindrances, but for now you get the fancier side of life here. Despite the lack of photographic proof, I’ve got to say the divide between rich and poor is startling. Even our well educated/paid research assistants can’t always afford lunch or bus fare, while when you venture into town the market vendors are selling out of shacks, many compounds (like ghettos) surround the city, and right beside the Mercedes-Benz building is a vast shanty town (shacks made of corrugated tin and scraps). It’s very sad. However, because copper is on an upswing, the government is quite good, and foreign aid seems on the rise, I hope things are changing for the better.
Meanwhile, my daily life has been stirred by the arrival of a visiting professor from U of T (he’s living with me now). He’s a very nice man, with lots of stories and good company to have around. We went to the city market yesterday (the local, ‘real’ market), where they were carting around full, bloody, cow heads on a cart (yuck) and selling everything you could ever want (a whole lot of used clothing, donated and resold – a foreign aid source that is considered rather debatable here). I bought some gorgeous, brightly coloured, Zambian material (which I’ll get sown into skirts), a dish brush, and some second hand shirts. It was a pretty productive trip and good to have the prof for security and company (he’s a pretty tough old guy!).
Sunday at six in the morning (I may growl all the way to campus) I am leaving with the peer AIDS educators down to southern province (Livingstone etc) to observe their A B (abstinence, be faithful) program at the high schools throughout the province. Sadly the C (condoms) has to be left out because funding is from PEPFAR. However, it should still be a very interesting trip as we move north-east from Livingstone through the rural villages, back to Lusaka. I’ll return on Tuesday or Wednesday though, because I have to be back for meetings with the professor. Don’t worry (Mom & Rob!), I will be very safe out there : ) That’s all for now… off to bed!
Things are still going very well (in life and at work), the new photos are from the Dutch market and an art show. The market is super civilized/touristy, but they do have some pretty nice jewellery, and my Czech friends sell orange juice to raise money for a children’s education program they have created. It was interesting to help out with the sales (a lot of my time was spent slowly drinking juice in front of the stand and commenting loudly how delicious it was) and I bought a nice skirt and some tomatoes. The art show was last night and was a lot of fun – beautiful paintings of Zambian things (people, animals, etc), interesting new people, and good food and wine. The photos I uploaded are of Radu’s work, but her husband also had many paintings – these are the people who I went to visit last weekend (volleyball, safari, etc). They are both very kind, and are the two in the middle of the photo (she’s Czech and in black, he’s Zambian, wearing a plaid shirt).
So those are the pictures. I really wish I could show you the other half of my life here, but I find it is difficult to because I feel uncomfortable/rude photographing strangers, plus, in the seedier areas of town I don’t really like bringing my camera. I’m sure I’ll get over both hindrances, but for now you get the fancier side of life here. Despite the lack of photographic proof, I’ve got to say the divide between rich and poor is startling. Even our well educated/paid research assistants can’t always afford lunch or bus fare, while when you venture into town the market vendors are selling out of shacks, many compounds (like ghettos) surround the city, and right beside the Mercedes-Benz building is a vast shanty town (shacks made of corrugated tin and scraps). It’s very sad. However, because copper is on an upswing, the government is quite good, and foreign aid seems on the rise, I hope things are changing for the better.
Meanwhile, my daily life has been stirred by the arrival of a visiting professor from U of T (he’s living with me now). He’s a very nice man, with lots of stories and good company to have around. We went to the city market yesterday (the local, ‘real’ market), where they were carting around full, bloody, cow heads on a cart (yuck) and selling everything you could ever want (a whole lot of used clothing, donated and resold – a foreign aid source that is considered rather debatable here). I bought some gorgeous, brightly coloured, Zambian material (which I’ll get sown into skirts), a dish brush, and some second hand shirts. It was a pretty productive trip and good to have the prof for security and company (he’s a pretty tough old guy!).
Sunday at six in the morning (I may growl all the way to campus) I am leaving with the peer AIDS educators down to southern province (Livingstone etc) to observe their A B (abstinence, be faithful) program at the high schools throughout the province. Sadly the C (condoms) has to be left out because funding is from PEPFAR. However, it should still be a very interesting trip as we move north-east from Livingstone through the rural villages, back to Lusaka. I’ll return on Tuesday or Wednesday though, because I have to be back for meetings with the professor. Don’t worry (Mom & Rob!), I will be very safe out there : ) That’s all for now… off to bed!
Monday, October 1, 2007
Pumpkins and such...
Random comments & activities...
- So this whole ‘you must be home by sunset’ has added a whole new degree of paranoia to my daily routines. The sun sets at about 6:15 so from 5:30 onwards I can’t help but feel like I’m going to turn into a pumpkin. Anyways, this results in a lot of scampering and half-answers when questioned en route.
- I’m listening to CBC radio as I write (mm mmm feels like home!) and they keep saying New-ee Blanche. What’s the deal? Did they (Toronto) totally just anglocize ‘Nuit Blanche’ or am I missing something? Maybe it’s my French that’s off...
- I went to a pretty excellent party last weekend held by a Canadian Embassy person. The highlight was that I got to eat some warthog (it tasted like pork)! Haha, and the party itself was pretty swanky (out in the garden, lots of people, open bar) and I got to meet a whole whack of similarly situated people (some Americans doing a soccer & AIDS program, some other CIDA interns, etc). Fun night :)
- Many of you (exhousemates) will be amused to know that my health/food paranoia has nicely rubbed off on my coworkers. Ever since I explained why I was reading the ingredients on the coffee whitener package (which nicely allowed me to explain my aluminum in deodorant theories), my coworkers look at all the ingredients on packages of food we have around and have checked out the contents of their (full of aluminum) deodorant (mwahaha).
- I want to share some particularly funny questions my one coworker (MacBrian) asked: Are penguins birds? Does cream make your coffee lighter or darker? Do ants drink water? Don’t mosquitoes dislike the light (he keeps his light on at night to scare them away)?... He’s a really funny guy and makes me laugh all day long (I think my questions to him make him laugh too).
- On Sunday I went to church with my coworker Remmy. It was really interesting, enjoyable and pretty different from Canadian churches I’ve been to (lots of singing and dancing!). The nicest part of the morning was the time I spent watching the little kids in the church (the sermon was often in the native nyanga language so I had a lot of time to look around). All the kids were so smiley and also super curious about me (most of the little ones had never seen a white person before because the church is in a pretty remote community). Very sweet to see.
- At work and outside of work everybody here watches this new show called 'Ready 4 Marriage', and I've got to say it's pretty funny. There are about 30 women competing for a full paid wedding if they are deemed 'ready 4 marriage' - there is only one winner. To determine if they are ready they have to cut and cook chicken for their in-laws, iron, make beds (all televised and judged)... I often ask (the guys) why the men aren't doing simillar marriage tests and I am usually told that it's because men are never ready for marriage. hm! I'd still like to see the male version! :)
- People are totally crazy about soccer here! Everybody wears Chelsea, Manchester or Arsenal paraphernalia and will talk about soccer at the drop of a hat… I think I may have to find myself a (non-Chelsea) jersey ;)
- That’s all for now :)
- So this whole ‘you must be home by sunset’ has added a whole new degree of paranoia to my daily routines. The sun sets at about 6:15 so from 5:30 onwards I can’t help but feel like I’m going to turn into a pumpkin. Anyways, this results in a lot of scampering and half-answers when questioned en route.
- I’m listening to CBC radio as I write (mm mmm feels like home!) and they keep saying New-ee Blanche. What’s the deal? Did they (Toronto) totally just anglocize ‘Nuit Blanche’ or am I missing something? Maybe it’s my French that’s off...
- I went to a pretty excellent party last weekend held by a Canadian Embassy person. The highlight was that I got to eat some warthog (it tasted like pork)! Haha, and the party itself was pretty swanky (out in the garden, lots of people, open bar) and I got to meet a whole whack of similarly situated people (some Americans doing a soccer & AIDS program, some other CIDA interns, etc). Fun night :)
- Many of you (exhousemates) will be amused to know that my health/food paranoia has nicely rubbed off on my coworkers. Ever since I explained why I was reading the ingredients on the coffee whitener package (which nicely allowed me to explain my aluminum in deodorant theories), my coworkers look at all the ingredients on packages of food we have around and have checked out the contents of their (full of aluminum) deodorant (mwahaha).
- I want to share some particularly funny questions my one coworker (MacBrian) asked: Are penguins birds? Does cream make your coffee lighter or darker? Do ants drink water? Don’t mosquitoes dislike the light (he keeps his light on at night to scare them away)?... He’s a really funny guy and makes me laugh all day long (I think my questions to him make him laugh too).
- On Sunday I went to church with my coworker Remmy. It was really interesting, enjoyable and pretty different from Canadian churches I’ve been to (lots of singing and dancing!). The nicest part of the morning was the time I spent watching the little kids in the church (the sermon was often in the native nyanga language so I had a lot of time to look around). All the kids were so smiley and also super curious about me (most of the little ones had never seen a white person before because the church is in a pretty remote community). Very sweet to see.
- At work and outside of work everybody here watches this new show called 'Ready 4 Marriage', and I've got to say it's pretty funny. There are about 30 women competing for a full paid wedding if they are deemed 'ready 4 marriage' - there is only one winner. To determine if they are ready they have to cut and cook chicken for their in-laws, iron, make beds (all televised and judged)... I often ask (the guys) why the men aren't doing simillar marriage tests and I am usually told that it's because men are never ready for marriage. hm! I'd still like to see the male version! :)
- People are totally crazy about soccer here! Everybody wears Chelsea, Manchester or Arsenal paraphernalia and will talk about soccer at the drop of a hat… I think I may have to find myself a (non-Chelsea) jersey ;)
- That’s all for now :)
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