Saturday 20th
July 2019
How
time flies!
In
fact my last post was sent from the UK! At the Curia, Access to the
internet is successful about 50% of the time – the day before my
departure was one of the 50% of days when I had no access. The speed
wasn't bad once I connected. Here we expect fast internet (although
perhaps not superfast everywhere) all the time.
I
called on Ireen to collect my shirts on Monday afternoon, however
they weren't quite ready!! She told me she would call at my house at
19 hrs and deliver them! On Tuesday morning she said they were ready
for collection, if I called by on the way to the bus.
Obert
arrived at 8.30 am as agreed and we called at Ireen's shop. She
suggested we took a seat while she just finished sewing the linings!!
I had to get yet more cash from the ATM and arranged to meet Diven at
Roadhouse where I would pick up the big bus (coach). At least Diven
was already there – or so he said!! When I returned to Ireen and
Obert my shirts were nearly ready! After a few more minutes she asked
me if it was ok, if I put the buttons on myself! Oh! and was I also
ok with making the button holes!! I will eventually get my shirts
finished, though as of today I am still waiting!!
I
said goodbye to Ireen and Obert took me to Tooters Roadhouse. The big
bus we had seen pass us a few minutes earlier was ready to leave, so
I quickly bought tickets, then looked for Diven! I rang him and he
said he was in a taxi and was almost there!! I could wait no
longer and entered the bus with Diven closing in – but not quite
fast enough!! I then realised that I last saw my luggage in the boot
of Obert's car!! However, I wasn't too concerned because in practice
things like sorting out luggage usually works in Zambia.
The
morning had been a good example of life in Zambia. Time is something
that is expected to stretch and where you are at any point in time is
also quite flexible. Then every so often people and events obey very
strict timescales. The difficulty is understanding when now means
sometime in the future and when it means now or even sometime in the
past!!
I
didn't expected to leave Monze before 10 or 11hrs, but left at 9 hrs
and was at my hotel in Lusaka before 14hrs. This meant that I could
relax and wind down for the rest of the day.
Later
in the day I was surprised to see monkeys in the car park of the
hotel!! Apparently they came from State House (the President's
residence) which was nearby! I sometimes come across a monkey or two,
but I didn't expect to see them in the centre of Lusaka!
A
few years back I found Kabwata Cultural Village and
decided to make another visit this year. I found my way with a little
direction – I suppose it was a 40 minute walk from the hotel. This
'village' is actually a large group of huts where local artists sell
their goods. If you want something handmade locally by craftsmen,
this is a good place to visit. Unfortunately the marketing doesn't
seem to be very good and customers are few. Nothing is priced, so be
prepared to barter!!
Previously I had
resisted buying at the first hut, but on this occasion I decided
there was something I wanted and succumbed! However, I was still
determined to get to the final huts, because they get even less
custom than the others. I made another visit to an ATM on the way to
ensure I had plenty of money to buy goods and still have enough for
taxi fares, meals etc. However, I hadn't reached the final huts
before I started spending my taxi fare!! I did reach the end, but had
severely gone over budget. On the way out I continued to be accosted
by people who hadn't received my custom! Gradually the money for
meals etc. also vanished, until I only had a few small notes left.
Before I left Kabwata Village every coin in my pocket had also gone
and attempts were made to barter for my phone and sandals!! I did
draw a line at this!!
So I left the village
with a backpack full of goods – oh and also a locally made bag
which was also full - I was persuaded to buy the bag to allow me to
continue buying other objects!! I was now relying on finding an ATM
which would give me more money to enable me to eat and get to the
airport!! I had literally no cash at all and was in trouble if the
ATM failed!
I will take a break now
and try to complete the story of the trip soon.
Chris
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