Monday 22nd October
Saturday is
already a blur – probably because too much of my time was wasted
with computers. I still have a machine that will not load Windows. At
least it now produces more than hieroglyphics on the screen. I
suspect that opening it up after so many years was my mistake! Dust
and brittle cables are best left undisturbed!!
Sunday was a
busy day with church business. The choirs and young dancers at the
Sacred Heart and Our Lady of the Wayside swapped for the day. I
wondered why the ladies of the choir looked so elegant in their satin
gowns! They put on a very good performance at Our lady of the
Wayside.
I have an
assignment to take photos for a calendar so I took a few before and
after mass. I am far from the world's best photographer – I just
hope if I take enough some will be usable.
After our
'Section' meeting a few of us visited the home of the man we saw last
week – he died a couple of days ago. The room was emptied so that
20 – 30 could squeeze in to say some prayers and sing a few hymns.
I was asked to say a prayer and quoted from next weeks gospel which
we had just reflected upon: “They said to Bartimaus – rise up,
Jesus is calling you.” It seemed appropriate for the elderly man
who had died. I also recalled the poem which talks about saying
goodbye to the person as the boat goes over the horizon, while those
at its destination are getting ready to welcome the new arrival.
At the end of
our prayers we had a sharp shower, that slightly delayed my return.
Diven was keen that I went to see his current house, so despite the
time pressing on, I made a quick visit and enjoyed a little sump and
sour.
If anyone has a
solution to Luke's problem with Skype please let me know! It works
fine except that the video cannot display properly on his screen. The
camera works and the video can be seen at the far end and there is no
problem taking a picture for the Skype profile!
Recently I have
had difficulty finding a working ATM. Today I found one but had to
queue for 30 minutes under the African sun. I then had to get my
money out in three sessions because the highest denomination was
20,000 kwacha (about £2.50) and the drawer holds a limited number of
notes. (Nationwide also charges me for each transaction which adds to
the cost! - it is my one complaint with Nationwide, that they charge
me to use ATMs here, despite heading a campaign against charging in
the UK. So if there are any Nationwide managers reading this blog,
please use your influence to remove these charges!)
Yesterday I met
Mr. Monze on the road – and to my shame I didn't recognise him. For
years he has talked to me at the hospital, attempting to teach me a
little Chitonga. He has been so patient and never gives up –
despite my pathetic learning skills. Today I met Alick. I first got
to know Alick as the MC at the hospital chapel, but haven't seen him
for a couple of years, he lent me a book – learning Chitonga – he
has been as successful as Mr Monze! Alick's father said hallo on
Saturday – another face I didn't recognise – and he told Alick I
was around. He is now studying welding in Mazabuka. He told me it was
fine, except for its effect on his eyes. Though they have shields,
they lift them sometimes to see what they are doing and, naturally,
it affects their eyes. Health and safety practice is not good in
Zambia, I hope that no permanent damage is done.
I called at PIZZ
school for a quotation for books. To fully equip the grade 1 to 7
classes would cost about 40 million kwacha – about £5,000.
On the way home
I popped in to see Edward. We had a chat and he offered me a very
welcome drink.
I don't know how
many people said that they would say hallo and goodbye tomorrow. I am
also compiling a long list of tasks to fit in! Tomorrow will be
hectic!!
Bye for now
Chris
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