I was sitting at immigration yesterday waiting to renew visas for Araceli and me. While standing there a policeman was also waiting in line. So I struck up a conversation with him and we just started chatting about things.
One topic which we focused on was different economies of countries. We talked about the UK, Australia, Asia. Then the policeman asked about the US. And he asked me, "are there any poor people in the US?" I replied, "Yes, there are."........."impossible"..........
I had to think on his response for a bit. Not really sure on how to reply to his statement. I assured him that there were and although the US is different from Malawi, similar problems exist in both. In the end though I do not think he fully believed me. After calling me a millionaire and referring to the US as "heaven" I do not think I could convince him.
It has been an interesting couple of weeks. Since the group has left we have been nothing but busy here at Kasese. One of the interesting phenomena here at Kasese is......us. I find that the villagers find us odd. I sit here this morning, like every morning, in the office drinking coffee and reading the news while villagers are passing by outside. They are either coming from the mountain where they cut wood or are heading to the bore hole to draw some water. But as they pass they crane their necks to look at me while they do.
I cannot say much more for the children who sit outside all day and just chat and stare at us. Unfortunately we have run out of cloth for curtains and so had to block part of the windows. I cannot say it is a bad thing for them to be curious, but it is somewhat annoying. In any case it is one of the many interesting little things happening here.
Besides that, we took Little E to the airport yesterday where he will be going to spend 1 month in Nigeria. It was quite sad to see him go as we have become especially close with him over the past few months. But I think he needed the break. I will miss having our chapel masses with him every morning. But he will be back soon enough.
Araceli is being taught by George on how to cook nsima, although Timeyo has said that George does not really know how to cook it and should not really be used for it. And life is just going on here. The cat has been staying inside and I am thankful of that as I have seen no more cockroaches which makes life much easier.
With all that is going on we are still plugging away. We have a group coming here on Sunday which we are preparing for. We will head to the market on Thursday to buy some of the food and will buy the rest on Friday or Saturday.
The ground is being prepared here for farming. People are out by 4:30-5:00 preparing their fields. I happened to be up by 5:15 today and when I got outside, everyone was already working. I was talking with Timeyo and I think we are going to go in on some land together and grow some maize. I am seeing the prices of things here and I figure we could amend that a bit if we grew a couple acres or a hectare of maize.
We have three Malawians with us here: George, Timeyo and Olivietta. I have to say it is quite a pleasure working with all of them. They are all cheerful, upbeat, jolly and trustworthy. Maybe all of these are easy to come by except the last quality and I am thankful for that.
One topic which we focused on was different economies of countries. We talked about the UK, Australia, Asia. Then the policeman asked about the US. And he asked me, "are there any poor people in the US?" I replied, "Yes, there are."........."impossible"..........
It has been an interesting couple of weeks. Since the group has left we have been nothing but busy here at Kasese. One of the interesting phenomena here at Kasese is......us. I find that the villagers find us odd. I sit here this morning, like every morning, in the office drinking coffee and reading the news while villagers are passing by outside. They are either coming from the mountain where they cut wood or are heading to the bore hole to draw some water. But as they pass they crane their necks to look at me while they do.
Araceli preparing coffee with our makeshift table which also plays as our tablesaw
Cat getting ready to drink
Araceli is being taught by George on how to cook nsima, although Timeyo has said that George does not really know how to cook it and should not really be used for it. And life is just going on here. The cat has been staying inside and I am thankful of that as I have seen no more cockroaches which makes life much easier.
Araceli being taught the secrets of nsima
George warming himself by the halogen
We have three Malawians with us here: George, Timeyo and Olivietta. I have to say it is quite a pleasure working with all of them. They are all cheerful, upbeat, jolly and trustworthy. Maybe all of these are easy to come by except the last quality and I am thankful for that.
George, Timeyo and Olivietta taking lunch
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