weddings, babies, god and wet t-shirts

So a few of you have asked what happens on a weekend in Lusaka. We have just finished a four day weekend so I thought I would update you. It is such a long weekend as it was International Women's Day and  Youth Day.

I have invested in a wedding ring. It has no effect other than giving me a better excuse to not handing out my number to every guy I meet. When asked who my husband was I picked the name Gary after the love of my life Mr Barlow. 

This weekend I went to my first Zambian Disco House aka nightclub. We went to a few bars where we were not the only msungo's. Then I was asked if I wanted to go somewhere Zambian Zambian? Not totally sure what I was letting myself in for I agreed. We drove to Kalingalinga which is one of the compounds here in Lusaka. We drove down some rather bumpy mud tracks where I could not believe we would actually arrive at any reasonable destination until arriving at what looked like a wild west saloon. The club was like going to a disco in Corfu 15 years ago, very basic with a ludicrous number of laser beems being shone all around the room. Us msungo's were just stared at. The Zambian's literally stand there staring at you. I cannot really put into words how it feels like to be stared at all the time, I feel like I have joined a freak show. On the upside it was a lot cleaner than Inferno's and my feet did not stick to the floor.

The rest of the weekend was spent doing some walking, catching up with friends, beers on balcony's and general merriment.
In other news, one of the neighbors in our compound who I had not yet met, came round this weekend to introduce herself. It is customary to invite a neighbor in so I did. The conversation was going well until I was asked why I was not married or had any children. When I said I was not sure I wanted either she told me she would pray for me, it reminded me of Granny praying to St Anthony, the patron saint of lost causes, that I would meet a suitable husband. She then asked which church I went to....... When I told her I did not go to church she swiftly left my house.

I have not got enough work to fill my five days a week at WASAZA so I have been looking for another role where I can do one day a week. What you are about to read might shock you, I shall be spending Wednesday's working with babies.  On Sunday I had a trial shift at an orphanage which has 80 children from birth to teenage years. I worked in the baby and toddle unit. It is pretty shocking when you walk in. It is just row after row of metal cots filled with babies. It reminded me of the press we used to get regarding Romania 10 years ago. Worst still some of the babies which are 9 months look new born as they are so small. One of the babies were crying so I picked her up to be told that we do not pick up the babies as that makes them just crave more cuddles.....I could not quite believe it. Every time the staff left the room I quickly picked one up and gave it a cuddle until all the babies in my unit had enjoyed a little hug. They are left to lie in their cots all day with no stimulation. When they are fed they just have a bottle stuffed into their cots. If they are not old enough to hold the bottle it is propped up on something. The older toddlers and children have no toys to play with and just hang around. Quite honestly my faith in humanity has been somewhat rocked..... so I have decided to get planning. Some of the VSO chaps I know have offered to come down one weekend and help paint hopscotch and other games on the floor so that even if they have no toys the kids can play. I have found a library where I can get books to read to them and am working on other ideas. If in two years all I do is make sure each baby gets a bit of a hug so be it but my expectations are a little higher. If anyone has any suggestions of games I can play or teach the older children please let me know.


To end on a happier note we have had some massive thunder storms over the weekend. When it rains it really really rains. I got totally soaked wearing a white t-shirt. Not a great look. Going home on the mental bus in a see through t-shirt was both amusing and humiliating.