It’s all fine and good to enjoy in town then foods and other things we miss in the village. But I doubt you want to read about how much I crave pizza sometimes. Instead of the have-nots, let me tell you about some of my favorite haves of village lifestyle.
I can eat all the sweet potatoes I want. And I do, seriously. Nothing is better than the zambian sweet potato when boiled. I share too with the kids who come over, but it’s mostly me eating about 12kg this month.
The kids- where do I start?! I’ve probably written about them in letters, so forgive me if it’s repeats. I have a pretty loyal posse of 3 boys who come to my cooking shelter (kinzanza) almost every night. We drink tea -or hot chocolate! – and chat or read stories. Liz – their favorite lately is Rowling’s Tales of Beetle the Bard. As they read it in English I translated. Just the other night I had the whole clan of 6 boys and a baby – I don’t even mind that we drank all my sugar. It was a priceless night; I learned a foot-long Chokwe word, and taught American slang. Whazzup, dog?!
I wouldn’t trade nights sitting around my fire like that for all the yoghurt in the dairy aisle.
Then there is my nearest neighbor who never fails to greet me with her big smile. Mwabwelai mwane! Welcome back! I love when I can greet her too. I look forward to her greeting more than the coldest 5 o’clock margarhita.
I love that this lifestyle has taught me more intangible lessons than i could write on this blog. Even now that I have some ‘seniority’ among PCVs, I continue to be taught and comprehend more and more. Wouldn’t give that up for any sharp cheddar.
Work projects are going just ok. I’ve been doing some gardening things as harvests are finished and it’s not time yet to plant again. Primarily my time has been spent on my Environment club which I really like. We’re currently re-enacting these environmental dramas I found – they love it! Sadly a teacher has been very sick, but luckily for me it’s the teacher for geography. Meteorology falls under geography for gr 8, so I offered to help this term. A year has 3 terms and the third just started this month, so I’m stoked. Halley – some wx words for you: rain – mvula, sun – juuba, wind – mwela. Sadly there is no distinction in vocab between weather and climate.
That’s about all for now. Mwende Mutende; Go peacefully.
Love all the food comments. Great stories.
Hello to all the posse for me! Tell them to study hard and stay in school!