First Week at Site

Typical day at site: Wake up whenever I feel like (gosh). That is usually around 6:00 or 7:00. Sit on my front porch drinking coffee and listening to BBC news. Usually John Bolton is making some flipping remark about how he hates the U.N. After about 5 minutes of depressing news I decide that my time would be better spent sweeping my house or working in my garden or working on my fish pond. By 10:00 or so it gets too hot to work outside anymore, so I study Bemba or read a book. In the afternoon I go visit farmers. They usually cancel all their plans for the day (ex. Planting beans or corn) to visit with me and prepare a meal for me, their honored guest. I come back in the evening and do some more work around my house and cook dinner. I love my site, even though someone has stolen my dog (I am a little better about that). For example, I have to pass through my neighbor's yard to get water and I have yet to pass by without him insisting that his children go get water for me and bow down to me when they give me anything. I don't know how long this honorable treatment will last, but maybe only until they figure out that I don't really know anything.

Today I had to come to Kasama to get my work permit. Apparently, I am a day too late, so I may spend some time in Zambian prison if they catch me, which would make for an interesting blog (just kidding). I am a little shell shocked now after arriving in Kasama. Cash registers, people everywhere, cars, computers, deadlines, English. I can't wait to go back to my site.