Ity's Excellent Party

With housemate Ity and I having had a few weeks to settle into our house, she raised the fine idea of throwing a get acquainted party for our neighbors. Thus, we invited everyone from the nine other homes located next to the Nyika Motel, and at 15:00 hours (military time is the standard here) on 14 November, we began serving juice, coffee, tea and chocolate, along with biscuits (aka cookies in the U.S.) and Zambian style “donuts” from our front porch. First, several of the numerous local kids came by (and were remarkably sedate and well behaved). Then, some of the adult neighbors began to drift over, and within a couple of hours, we had exhausted our supplies and met a number of folks. All in all, it was a nice way to become more a part of the community (and we now have 22 plastic cups).   

Early stage of party for neighbors

Thanksgiving Note

In case I'm not able to make another post for awhile, please let me take this opportunity to wish a happy Thanksgiving to all those back home in the U.S.!

Neighborhood Happenings

Sports Central…

Now that we’re settling into our house, we’re also starting to get to know some of the neighbors living in the surrounding homes. On Saturday, following morning shopping for most of the week’s supplies, one of the local children was playing out by our front porch. Housemate Ity was interacting with him and a couple of other youngsters, when an idea was hatched to use a rope we had purchased to try some “jump rope.” Soon, other young neighbors of varying ages joined in, and before long, we had a good size group involved.

"Sports Central"

This transitioned to other local games, one of which involved a rope gradually raised in height where the participants engaged in synchronized dance steps. Another used a tightly rolled “ball” of plastic bags to play a game similar to “dodge ball.” A little exercise, a lot of fun, and some nice interaction with our friends and neighbors!

High Steppin'

Fire…

I had to include this photo of trash and low brush being burned in front of our house. Such small fires are a regular occurrence. They seem to help prevent larger burns. 

Fire!

The Great Water Mystery…

As mentioned in previous posts, we are fortunate that our house has electricity and running water. Service interruptions occur rather frequently, however. A storm may knock out electrical service, for instance, which in turn may lead to water well pumps shutting down and cutbacks in water service. In addition, power frequently fails when dinner is being cooked, and the correlation between water shutdowns and when I shower in the morning is uncanny. Thus, we took a lack of water service recently in stride, comforted by the knowledge that water usually is flowing again within a few hours, and we had a couple of buckets of back-up supply.     

When water was still down the next morning, and then the entire following day, inconvenience evolved to increasing concern. This was compounded by the weekend timing, and the discovery that other houses were getting water. After a third day without water, the toilet essentially unusable, and our supplies almost exhausted, we were chagrined to discover an outdoor valve leading to the house had been turned off. Perhaps we’ll never know who shut off the water or why, but it was so nice to have it flowing again that we could laugh off the episode. In the meantime, we substantially increased our back-up supplies in case a similar challenge arises in the future. 

And the Rains Came...

October is generally acknowledged as the hottest month in Zambia, with the transition from the hot and dry season to the hot and wet season usually beginning in November. While still warm and humid, the rains periodically cool things off a bit, increased cloud cover tempers the sun’s intensity, and breezes accompanying storms provide a welcome respite from the heat. As if on cue, the first week in November brought gathering clouds, some swirling winds, occasional lightning and thunder, and scattered showers. (These phenomena also tend to be accompanied by power outages and water supply cut-offs, but that’s another story.)

Late Wednesday night (actually early Thursday morning) was absolutely still, when lightning flashed, thunder rumbled, winds picked up, and the initial raindrops on the roof soon sounded as though Somerset Maugham’s “Rain” had come to life. Actually, the precipitation was fairly brief, and probably not nearly as intense as it seemed based upon the noise emanating from the corrugated metal roof. At least the puddles were relatively few the next morning, and no water appeared to have dripped through the small holes in the roof. In any case, the dust was settled for a few hours, and the earth had a distinctly moist aroma. While the rains cannot yet be considered to have officially arrived, the signs are beginning, and farmers are starting their preparations for another growing season. 

Sarah (right) & other organizers of braai

On Sunday afternoon, a welcome “braai” was generously provided for new VSO volunteers in the Eastern Province. This was a great opportunity to see compatriots who also arrived in October, compare experiences to date, and meet other VSO volunteers as well as a variety of people from different organizations. The gathering took place at “VSO House” in Chipata, which features lovely grounds with huge trees. Chipata, the provincial capital and largest city, is about a two-hour drive east from Petauke. Special thanks to the VSO Volunteer Committee and especially Sarah Washington (the Volunteer Committee Eastern Province representative), Rosie and Frances (VSO volunteers residing at the site), and others who helped organize the event or otherwise contributed.     

November 8 marked World Town Planning Day, and completion of one month in Zambia (and three weeks in Petauke).