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Hello! (or Mwapoleni mukwai!)
I hope you're all well? This is just
a short(ish) email to say that I've arrived at Kitwe, Zambia safely!
There were a few incidents along the way... like the High Commission
'miss placing' (loosing) my work permit (the one that says Mr Johnson);
a few close encounters with geckos in the shower (I should explain for
anyone who doesn't know, geckos are small lizardy creatures, harmless,
quite cute and they eat the nasties you don't want to have close
encounters with. I've met three in my house so far, although they tend
to be shy. Thumbelina is pink and seems to get everywhere, Leonard lives
in the loo, and Betty lives in my bedroom.); and several occasions when
I made babies cry. A white person is a scary creature.
Anyway, here are a few observations I
have made: (1) the principles behind driving are the same as the
principles of a river - both water and drivers will take the shortest,
easiest way possible. Even if this means driving on the wrong side of
the road around a bend, or completely coming off the road altogether and
driving through gardens, the bush... (2) You can tell what the wild life
is in your house by the marks on the wall - the remains of squashed once
living creatures tend to litter the walls like a museum exhibition. The
time to worry is when one moves. (3) Spiders are not scary. I repeat,
spiders are not scary. Well, ok, when you see one about 3inches from leg
to leg (I know I am a girl but it REALLY was 3 inches long) it is a bit
scary at first, but when you see what's in its web you realise the
spider ain't anything in comparison to that dead beastie. So, spiders
are welcome also. Spiders aren't scary. (I'm comparison anyway). (4)
Zambians are extremely friendly, polite and bubbly. Most people can
speak English very well, in addition to their native language (often
Bemba) and possibly a few other tribal languages. They beat us hands
down at linguistic skills. Also at singing. Also at creativity - along
most roads you will see 'stalls' that people have set up selling
anything from charcoal to hand carved furniture, to try and earn some
money. Along one road there were children, maybe 4 or 5 years old,
breaking large stones into smaller pieces to sell at the road side to
building companies. (5) It's not so bad when you step out of your boat.
In fact, it's pretty awesome! (For those of you haven't read the book
'If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat', then
make it top of your reading musts!).
That's probably enough for now! I
have got a week to prepare lessons, buy food and settle in before term
starts on the 22nd. The students live just opposite me, and the
classrooms are underneath their bedrooms. I haven't seen the
classes yet, but I have been told I'll be lucky if there is a light bulb
(thunder and lightening storms can make the day time seem like the night
time, and so light bulbs are useful - that is until the electricity
blows...!). I've also found out that there is morning mass at 6.30 am!!!
Lessons start at 8am and finish at 4pm, followed by evening prayer. I
don't suppose I'll have a problem waking up though, as I have about five
or six hens/cocks outside my house which are most able at being alarm
clocks. They also have a snooze function and seem to get louder and
louder until you get up...
Thank you all so much for your lovely
emails and for your prayers! Once I know a bit more about the seminary,
I'll send off a prayer request email.
Take care and lesa apale (God bless
you)
love and laughter,
Emma
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