Typical

Life here is not without its frustrations. One thing that makes things more difficult is the effort required to do basic tasks. Marcey even observed that so much effort goes into everyday, yet so little seems to get done. For example, to travel down here to Chipata the distance is roughly 180km (approximately 110 miles): a distance that in America would most likely take less than 2 hours to cover. It took me over 5 ½ hours (after waiting 2 ½ hours for a ride)! Well, for one thing the road is complete shit so understandably the owner of the car I rode in cared enough about the vehicle to drive ridiculously slow. Then, we stopped a couple times to pick up other passengers, one of which, a lady headed to the hospital and to whom I got the distinct pleasure of being squished up next to, repeatedly threw up in her lap. Well, into her chitenje. Then, she would just ball up that part of the cloth and barf in the next section over. It would have been the most miserable ride had I not been in such a good mood. Why was I? Not really sure. Sometimes Zambia has a mysterious way of making you feel great. Maybe with all the frustration and dispair that can hang so heavy, the brain must just really latch onto the small pleasures scattered throughout each day. Or maybe its just that the situations you find yourself in would be considered so absurb to the person you once were, yet you find yourself void of any surprise. You really have no choice but to just accept the situation for what it is - not what your American brain thinks it should be - and go with it. Eventually, the absurd becomes the typical. Sometimes I wonder if I will be able to discern what is typical in American culture when I get back.

I stayed by myself in the huge provincial house last night. It was ok until the power went out when I was halfway through cooking supper. Luckily we recently purchased a gas powered stove so I was able to finish and eat. It was still pretty freaky. Especially when someone started banging on the gate. I closed myself in my room with 3 candles, a couple beers, and some music. After almost 2 hours the power came back on so I watched a movie, curled up on the couch with a blanket, a mountain of pillows, potato chips and cookies, I felt like a normal American.

So I must also tell you what happened last time I was in Chipata. Cherie, Ashley, Major, and I went to the East Point Discotheque to watch a popular Zambian pop musician perform. His name is Dandy Krazy (look him up. says he’s touring the U.S. maybe you can catch a show). It was quite a cultural experience, I must say. I’m not really even sure how to describe the event. Just know we had a GREAT time. At one point during a break, Cherie announces, “I’m gonna go meet Dandy.” And she just marches off towards the side stage. The rest of us look at each other, shrug, and follow her. We met them and talked awhile and exchanged numbers. Then, we danced on the stage a little. Went to the back club area and danced some more. A very nice, upstanding woman (most likely a prostitute or "sex worker" as is now pc) showed me how to dance like a Zambian. Then, at some unmentionable hour, we made our way back home and crashed. The next day, around lunch time Dandy called Ashley and brought his friends over for lunch. Ashley cooked some spectacular sima, soya, soupu, and chigwagwa. We hung out and talked to them for a few hours. The kraziest things happen here. Countless times have Cherie and I looked at each other and wondered: what the hell just happened?

I also have a new baby brother! Marcey, Anya Theo was pregnant! I had no idea until I got back from Malawi. She had the baby yesterday.

This is all I have energy for. good night and make nice dreams.