I've been in Zambia just 4 days short of a month, nearly a third of the way through training, which Im convinced is the hardest part of service. In two weeks I find out whether I'll be going to eastern or central province, and in another month ill have second site visit at my actual site.
Today two people came to visit me while I was at home. The one guy said he didn't believe his friend that an American was living in the village. I sat with them and my amai and we chatted for a while. He had so many questions, how long would I be here? What were my days like? What.was surprising to me? What would I tell Americans about Zambia? And when I asked him if he had ever been to America he said that he hadn't and the only reason he would go would be to see that its real because its hard for him to believe that the movies are true. I tried to.explain a little about the states but its too much to try and explain. I wish I had a picture book or something :)
Everyday I keep my amai company while she cooks and today she tried to teach me. I wasn't even strong enough to stir the n'sima! We laughed and luckily she helped me, I wouldn't want to eat what I would have made. She also let me pound peanuts with a 2 foot big wooden mortar and pestal. Cooking meals takes about 2 hours.
The other day we went into Lusaka, and saw the museum and Dr. Kenneth Kaunda's house when he was first president while Zambia was still under British rule. The moderator talked a lot about Dr. KK's emphasis on unity and how he brought together 73 tribes as one nation. I have so much respect for this perspective and I'm sure that's why Zambia is such a peaceful country. His home was kept the same as when he lived in it with his wife and 7 kids. It's a small house with 2 bed rooms, a kitchen, and a main room. I couldn't help but think back to my trip to Washington DC where I saw President George Washington's rich mansion that he lived in about 200 years before Dr. KK. It took me some time to realize that although both were first presidents, only Dr. KK is a national of the country, while President George Washington had come from British privilege. The strength of Zambian people continues to impress me.
I was taken aback to see witchcraft artifacts in the museum. Not even alleged witchcraft, full on "when he carried this stick he was invisible to police" this is so different than any museum I've ever been to. But it was very interesting and the art was gorgeous, and of course I liked the historical stuff. They also had a box of stuff that looked like cotton labeled poisonous stuff. Haha I don't know if witchcraft is real but its a bit of a culture shock to be somewhere is accepted as a part of life.
My amai has two chickens who have lots of little chicks right now. And omg! They are beyond adorable! I love seeing them all run around and I definitely want chickens of my own when I get to site.
I love u & miss u all. <3
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