Last Friday, at the Rotary meeting, one of the guests in attendance was the Postmaster General. We told him that we had yet to receive any of the packages mailed to us, he took our information, and within a couple of hours we received a call that one of the packages had been located. We went to the post office Saturday to retrieve the package, but were told since the value was listed as $100 it had to be opened by a custom’s official. If it had been valued at less than $100, we could have just taken it with us. Monday being the Farmer’s Day Holiday, we went first thing Tuesday morning to meet with the customs official. We soon learned that our package was being held for $65 ransom! We were glad to receive the package from home, but have learned the valuable lesson to always value packages at less than $100. But, I have a feeling that policy probably changes with each package delivered. We also renewed our passports for one more month. Unbelievably, this was this simplest, easiest thing we have done since arriving in Zambia. We went to the immigration office, the officer asked how he could help us, we said we’d like to stay another month, stamp, stamp – and we were done!
Then we were off to Garneton again, to spend another day with the container. We picked up Teddy on the way, and were grateful that he met us at the roadside in front of George, saving us the tortuous drive down that crater filled roadway! Ron, Teddy and I loaded the truck with the remaining shoes, chalkboard, steel building - everything except the 33’ beams, one generator and a few tools that might still be needed at the container. There were crates which had to be pried open with crow bars. But the boxes inside the crates just disintegrated, having been eaten away by some very industrious termites, leaving bolts and nuts and other small pieces in the bottom of the crate, all mixed with the termite dust. Teddy hopped inside one crate, sifting through the dust, until he located each and every bolt, nut, and screw. I must have swept at least 50 pounds of termite dust out of the container, knocking down their tunneling as I went. Teddy scavenged some pieces of heavier cardboard to repair the roof of his home at George. We tied down the truck, and on our way again. We were flagged down by a man on the dirt road near the farm, asking for a job. A brief argument in Bemba ensued, as Teddy explained we did not have any jobs for hire, but the man refused to believe him. As always it’s such a pleasure talking with Teddy during the drive. We learned that his favorite subject in college is psychology, he was elected as union steward at his dormitory (he’s in charge when the matron is gone), the dormitory is several kilometers from the campus, he shares a room with five other men, there is a cafeteria where the students do all their own cooking (yes, they cook nshima and kapenta), and they must be in their rooms by 7pm or they will be disciplined. Also during the drive home, once again, Ron attracted the attention of an officer at a police check point. The officer only wanted to have a little fun I guess, as he asked to see Ron’s driving permit. When he saw the international permit he laughingly asked just how many countries Ron is permitted to drive in, then waved us on. There was also a near miss with a pedestrian, as an elderly man who had apparently been drinking, stepped right in front of the truck. The brakes screeched, Ron laid on the horn, and the man stepped back just in time. There was a long period of silence, as all our hearts were pounding after that.
Wednesday, back to George, this time to pick up Teddy and Rodrick, as the last of the steel beams at the container would require a lot of muscle. There were 16 beams which when loaded on the truck, extended out the back about four feet, and over the roof of the truck nearly seven feet. They cut a few 2x4’s with the leatherman, nailed them together in an “L”, and used this to secure the portion of the beams at the rear of the truck. The rope was tied over and under and every which way they could, they fastened pieces of red cloth to the front and back of the beams, and even used some of the iridescent pink duct tape. It was a slow drive back to George, but the beams remained secure. And now, it is with great joy we can say, the container is empty. Hallelujah! Back home, after a long hard day, and the power was out, and stayed out until after bedtime. And when it’s dark here, it’s really dark! And no bath again – oh well!
Thursday is the usual day for the power to be out – hoping not tonight again! Today much of the day was spent at George. The huge iron gates which enclose the George School yard, needed to be repaired. The hinges were broken, wired together as a temporary fix, but very dangerous, especially with so many children around. We located a welder across the way, at Twapia who said he could do the job. William is a very pleasant man, speaks English, and has the warmest smile you can imagine. We drove to his welding shop, and were a little confused when we saw the sign “bananas for sale”. Then we saw the archaic welding equipment at the corner of the store. Dual professions are not unusual in the communities here. He is a welder who sells bananas, and also happens to be the chairman of Twapia (similar to a mayor in the U.S.)! The gates were removed from George, loaded on the truck, and taken to Twapia for William to weld. Removing the gates proved to be very difficult due to a lot of rust on the bolts, which looked as though it had been there for centuries. Teddy, Ron and Godwin drew quite a crowd as they worked together using crescent wrenches, channel locks, a hammer, a chisel, a crow bar, a hacksaw, and a little bit of oil to loosen and remove the bolts. We watched as William sat on the frame of a child’s school chair, no back or seat on the chair, put on a pair of sunglasses and began welding.
We feasted on bananas for lunch today (2 kg for K2,000), and drove to Kasongo while William completed the welding job. Bridget was released from the hospital yesterday, and we visited her in her home, wanting to make sure all was well. She was all smiles, and feeling much, much better. In fact, she is totally well according to her aunt. We asked about the baby, and she peeled back the layers of blankets and shetanges to reveal his sweet little face, sound asleep. We asked if the baby had a name yet. Another huge smile. His name is Ron.
Then we were off to Garneton again, to spend another day with the container. We picked up Teddy on the way, and were grateful that he met us at the roadside in front of George, saving us the tortuous drive down that crater filled roadway! Ron, Teddy and I loaded the truck with the remaining shoes, chalkboard, steel building - everything except the 33’ beams, one generator and a few tools that might still be needed at the container. There were crates which had to be pried open with crow bars. But the boxes inside the crates just disintegrated, having been eaten away by some very industrious termites, leaving bolts and nuts and other small pieces in the bottom of the crate, all mixed with the termite dust. Teddy hopped inside one crate, sifting through the dust, until he located each and every bolt, nut, and screw. I must have swept at least 50 pounds of termite dust out of the container, knocking down their tunneling as I went. Teddy scavenged some pieces of heavier cardboard to repair the roof of his home at George. We tied down the truck, and on our way again. We were flagged down by a man on the dirt road near the farm, asking for a job. A brief argument in Bemba ensued, as Teddy explained we did not have any jobs for hire, but the man refused to believe him. As always it’s such a pleasure talking with Teddy during the drive. We learned that his favorite subject in college is psychology, he was elected as union steward at his dormitory (he’s in charge when the matron is gone), the dormitory is several kilometers from the campus, he shares a room with five other men, there is a cafeteria where the students do all their own cooking (yes, they cook nshima and kapenta), and they must be in their rooms by 7pm or they will be disciplined. Also during the drive home, once again, Ron attracted the attention of an officer at a police check point. The officer only wanted to have a little fun I guess, as he asked to see Ron’s driving permit. When he saw the international permit he laughingly asked just how many countries Ron is permitted to drive in, then waved us on. There was also a near miss with a pedestrian, as an elderly man who had apparently been drinking, stepped right in front of the truck. The brakes screeched, Ron laid on the horn, and the man stepped back just in time. There was a long period of silence, as all our hearts were pounding after that.
Wednesday, back to George, this time to pick up Teddy and Rodrick, as the last of the steel beams at the container would require a lot of muscle. There were 16 beams which when loaded on the truck, extended out the back about four feet, and over the roof of the truck nearly seven feet. They cut a few 2x4’s with the leatherman, nailed them together in an “L”, and used this to secure the portion of the beams at the rear of the truck. The rope was tied over and under and every which way they could, they fastened pieces of red cloth to the front and back of the beams, and even used some of the iridescent pink duct tape. It was a slow drive back to George, but the beams remained secure. And now, it is with great joy we can say, the container is empty. Hallelujah! Back home, after a long hard day, and the power was out, and stayed out until after bedtime. And when it’s dark here, it’s really dark! And no bath again – oh well!
Thursday is the usual day for the power to be out – hoping not tonight again! Today much of the day was spent at George. The huge iron gates which enclose the George School yard, needed to be repaired. The hinges were broken, wired together as a temporary fix, but very dangerous, especially with so many children around. We located a welder across the way, at Twapia who said he could do the job. William is a very pleasant man, speaks English, and has the warmest smile you can imagine. We drove to his welding shop, and were a little confused when we saw the sign “bananas for sale”. Then we saw the archaic welding equipment at the corner of the store. Dual professions are not unusual in the communities here. He is a welder who sells bananas, and also happens to be the chairman of Twapia (similar to a mayor in the U.S.)! The gates were removed from George, loaded on the truck, and taken to Twapia for William to weld. Removing the gates proved to be very difficult due to a lot of rust on the bolts, which looked as though it had been there for centuries. Teddy, Ron and Godwin drew quite a crowd as they worked together using crescent wrenches, channel locks, a hammer, a chisel, a crow bar, a hacksaw, and a little bit of oil to loosen and remove the bolts. We watched as William sat on the frame of a child’s school chair, no back or seat on the chair, put on a pair of sunglasses and began welding.
We feasted on bananas for lunch today (2 kg for K2,000), and drove to Kasongo while William completed the welding job. Bridget was released from the hospital yesterday, and we visited her in her home, wanting to make sure all was well. She was all smiles, and feeling much, much better. In fact, she is totally well according to her aunt. We asked about the baby, and she peeled back the layers of blankets and shetanges to reveal his sweet little face, sound asleep. We asked if the baby had a name yet. Another huge smile. His name is Ron.
2 comments:
I hope this finds you well and happy! I love reading your blogs! To me It's like reading a good book...can't wait for the next chapter. I take it that is little "ron" in the photo. I bet he's sooo proud..and he should be. The work your both doing, I'm at a lost for words. You both are truly blessed. Hugs and love from South Carolina!
Ron and Mary Sue:
Wow the termites there must be hungry! That is a great picture and now Ron has a namesake in Zambia. You two must really make an impression on those you meet. Good for you. God bless you and all you meet!
Charlie
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