Behind the wheel

September 26, 2006

11:09 Lusaka, Zambia Simons’ House

Dear Friends,

It’s been a couple days. Too long. My apologies. During my absence some new and exciting things have happened. I’d have tosay the biggest one is that Uncle Scott has taught me to drive. I am now a proud driver of standard vehicles. I try my best to stay on the left side of the road. Roundabouts can be a bit tricky as the right of way changes depending on which traffic circle you are in or entering. Minibuses are the greatest danger as they follow no rules. That statement implies that other drivers generally do follow the rules of the road. That is giving them too much credit. Stop signs, when they posted, are treated merely as a suggestion. I’m used to dumbfounded stares as I stall in intersections and angry honks as I jolt and squeal along. In two days of driving, I’ve cut down significantly on how many fellow motorists I enrage.

On Friday, Auntie and I drove Sentai to his friend’s house for a birthday party. We drove and drove and drove. As we entered deeper into the bush, the paved road turned to dirt. The dirt road after a spell had more rocks and boulders than it did dirt. We were in a jeep of sorts and I couldn’t help but laugh as we were tossed around. It would have been ideal for a Jeep advertisement. We passed loads of small villages. We even drove by a dairy farm! I couldn't believe it. Sentai’s friend’s parents are flower exporters. I believe they are originally from Norway. Their house was located on the side of a beautiful hill looking out on their expansive land dotted with horses and dozens of absolutely massive greenhouses. I couldn’t believe how many greenhouses there were! They had a village of their own where I assume their many employees and families lived.

Uncle, Auntie, Wanjiru and I went to the Lusaka Hash on Saturday afternoon. Good fun. Hilarious people. I cannot even begin to describe it so I offer you their website which does far better justice to the essence of Hashers. http://www.gthhh.com About 30 of us went for a short walk/run and then gathered back at the vehicles. We formed a circle and two old British men assumed control. The new hashers were called into the middle of the circle and asked to introduce themselves. We were each given a down-down (glass with either beer/sprite) and the song began:

Traditional Down Down Song II Here's to _____, he's (she's) true blue. He's (she's) a hasher through and through. He's (she's) a pisspot, so they say. He'll (she'll) never to get to heaven, In a long, long way. Drinking down, down, down, down, Down, down, down, down, Down, down, down, down, Down, down, down, down. (Continue or go to "Why Are We Waiting") When the refrain starts with “drinking down, down”…the people in the middle of the circle have to start draining their glass. Whatever they do not finish by the end of the down down, they must pour over their head. It’s lude, witty, and above all just a bunch of people just getting together to have a good time. I can’t wait for next week. After checking out their website I realized it’s all over the place! Hashes are all over the globe! There are five in Wisconsin and even one in Winnipeg!

Sunday afternoon Uncle and I played some volleyball at the Serbian something or other. It may have been the Community Center. It was next door to the Russian Embassy.

Monday I did lots and lots of driving. I drove to the salon, the hospital, Melisa (grocery store) and Wanjiru’s school. I was sitting in the parking lot waiting for her to finish her class at Kabulonga Girl’s Secondary School when some girls came up to the car and started talking to me. Sean Paul started playing on the radio and they began singing and dancing. They insisted I join them. I obliged and they had a hay day. We talked about 50 Cent, Shakira, Nelly, etc. They rattled off about 10 nightclubs that I MUST go to while I’m here. Wanjiru eventually appeared and we headed off. We decided it was too early to go home and instead headed downtown trying to keep track of the route back home. After a good couple miles I drove into a parking lot assuming I could turn around and head back down the street in the other direction. It turns out the entrance to the parking lot was only an entrance. We drove around forever before finally finding a route to get back on the street. We made it back and vowed to do more exploring in the near future. Uncle called and asked if I wanted to go play some volleyball at the Marine House. I was feeling kind of sluggish and gratefully accepted the invitation. We played five or six games. I was pleasantly exhausted by the time we finished. The group, for the most part, is good natured and the games are great fun to be a part of. While we were played a group of Marines loaded into a Suburban heading out for a night on the town. They were easily distinguishable in their A&F shorts and polo shirts. It is nice to see snippets of home from time to time.

Love, Catherine