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SNAP SHOTS INTO ZAM LIFE
2) Children are extremely well-behaved here. When a mother or father asks a child to help in anyway, there is nothing but the utmost respect given and the task is accomplished immediately, no questions asked.
3) Sunrises and sunsets are some of the most beautiful I have ever seen in my life here.
4) “Nsima, nsima, nsima.” If there are any questions regarding anything in life here, the answer is ALWAYS nsima. Nsima is ground up maize/corn boiled in water which becomes a thick porridge type substance similar to flavorless polenta which is used as a “scoop” for the relishes/sides of the meal.
5) I bike each day on dirt and sand roads. I love it. Often times children scream, “muzungu” (aka white person), and try to sprint next to me smiling and yelling, “how are youuuuu?”
6) Zambians are extremely warm and welcoming people. If someone is visiting for any reason it is polite, if not assumed, that you will bring the guest any food you have, even if you are struggling financially.
7) When addressing Zambians with respect they place a Ba before a person's name. It sounds a bit like a Va in English but I pronounce it Ba. For example, all of my teachers and staff refer to me as Ba Hannah. My Tonga teacher has given me a Tonga name. It is Mutinta. It means the middle, or the first child of a different sex to be born (for example you may have three male children and then a female....in that case the female is called Mutinta). My teacher emphasized how it is his favorite Tonga name ;).
8) As you may have guessed, I am learning Tonga! Tonga is primarily spoken in the Southern province which I will be placed in for my service here. It is also home to Livingstone and Victoria Falls.
9) Knees and thighs of a woman must never be shown in public. Zambians believe that the thigh (and knee) is the beginning of a female's "private parts." And yes, when discussing this they use the words, "private parts."
10) 75% of Zambians live on $1.25 each day.
Adult Summer Camp
For the past month; as well as for the next two months, I am living with a Zambian host family which I leave each day to attend Peace Corps trainee sessions. Each day we have “class” from 8-5 (with tea breaks of course ;)), learning the language, learning technical health approaches to sustainability as well as Zambian cross-cultural information. By the time I bike home I aim to exercise, bathe and then it is already dark by 6:30pm. After this I join my bamama (host mom) in cooking, eat and then relax for about an hour before I go to sleep. I am usually in bed around 9pm and awake by 6am. I feel like a mix between a new born baby and an elderly person.
Life is slow here and most things take much longer but there is an air of peace I have come to enjoy and respect.
Here are a few pictures!
