Some Additional Notes

Hello Again!
I realized after my post yesterday, that even though I posted some pictures, I have left a lot of things out that I should tell people about. So without further delay...

Differences

Life here is different than Canada (but I think I've adjusted to it so it doesn't seem that different). I have to remind myself what it was like in Canada and then compare. Everything here is locked up or has bars in front of it or a guard and a wall/fence. I think most houses that aren't in compounds (large areas with brick houses that are kind of all attached) have walls around them, or else electric fenses. Some of the houses in the compounds have walls or fences too. And most places have guards either right outside the doors or just inside the main gate. Places like banks (and bank machines) have guards sitting beside them. Around banks the guards have guns. At the Lazarus Project we have an electric fence (about eight feet tall) and a guard. The guard (or the guard company) has someone there 24 hours a day. I think a big part of the reason for this is because everyone is so poor. So if there is an opportunity to steal something, usually it's not because they want it but rather because they need something to eat and it is a way to get money. On every window is usually some bars so that even if the glass is broken people can't get in.

I think it was Claudia that mentioned she saw someone carrying a pot on their head for the first time. I guess I have seen that too, but then I've seen people carry almost anything on their head. I've seen a mattress, shovel, brooms, pots, bags and I think even a tire (or as they spell it here, a tyre). I guess it's easier to walk longer with it carried on your head than using your arms. Speaking of walking, lots of people walk here (and they walk pretty long distances). They also take the mini-buses, which are usually crowded and if they aren't then the driver will wait until they are crowded. Would you believe that in a vehicle smaller than a cube van (somewhere between the size of a cube van and a Mini-van) you can fit sixteen people? Well, it's usually pretty tight but it works. It's really cheap for me to get downtown here. It costs about K2000 (thats 2000 kwacha - the Zambian currency), which works out to about fifty cents. So to get from the Lazarus Project to here (a place called Arcades where I can check e-mail, go shopping, etc.) and back again it costs about K7000 or about $1.75 Canadian ($1.50 US). Not too bad considering you hardly ever have to wait for a bus to come.

So what else is different? Well it's sunny all the time right now. There was one day that was cold and cloudy but it's been in the 80s (high 20s) pretty much every day. This is quite a change from Southern Ontario, where the weather can change drastically. (I'm reminded of what my climatology professor said, "Southern Ontario has the 'worst' weather in the world. And by 'worst' I mean the most variable and unpredictable weather.") Here the weather is pretty much predictable. It will be sunny and warm until the rainy season (mid-November) with usually a bit of wind.

Football (American Style)

Something exciting happened this week too. On Friday evening I was just walking around the Lazarus Project and one boy had a football (like they play in the US not a soccer ball). I thought that was kind of odd so I started to play catch with him. Of course, they play football, but the real football (soccer) so he didn't know how to throw the football properly. I showed him how to throw it and pretty soon there were other boys coming and wanting to play catch. Eventually the guard that was there joined in and we played catch with the boys for about an hour and a half. It was pretty neat and I'm sure it's something I'll remember for a long time. I can definately see how it will be great to have kids of my own (so don't worry Mom, you'll have grandchildren eventually - but probably not for a few years).

Church

I've been going to a church here called Northmead Assembly Of God. It is very similar to a Pentacostal church or Assembly of God church in Canada. The senior pastor, Bishop Banda, is the one that is in charge of the Lazarus Project, where I am working. He is very energetic when he speaks and the services are usually pretty long (today it started at about 7:30 AM and went to 10:45 AM). So Grace Christian Fellowship seems short compared to here!! It is pretty interesting being the only white person in the service but I think I'm pretty used to it.

Other Notes

Today I am going to the Canadian High Commission for a Thanksgiving Day celebration. I know it's not the 'real' Thanksgiving but it will do!! For those of you in the United States I will remember you when it's Thanksgiving!!

Anyway, I want to thank everyone who has been reading this blog and for those who have posted a comment. It is always wonderful to hear from people, even if it's just a short note. I know Claudia and I will have many wonderful stories to tell when we return.

Until next time...Goodluck and Godspeed