Things I Have Learned...

What NOT to do in Zambia

I have learned many things about the African culture that I would have never been able to pick up on from reading. It is hard to find time for oneself since we are always so busy and the children wish to be entertained at all times. These are some things to avoid if you ever go to Africa.

• Use the new iPhone 4 to take pictures instead of an ugly less appealing camera.
• Leave food and other intriguing items lying out to see in the room.
• Swing one child around in circles until becoming dizzy. 10 will be in line before you come to.
• Entertain an orphan five minutes before leaving. When it is time to go, they will cry and the feeling is awful.
• Eat a termite without killing it first. The big pinchers work.

Cultural Differences
1) Men hold hands
a. My friends always catch me off guard when they walk up from behind and interlock fingers with me. This is perfectly normal for friends to do in Zambia, but in America these guys might receive a punch in the face after being called a “homo.”
b. I do not mean a firm man hand hold either. It is a gentle finger hold that is very awkward for those of that are not use to it.
c. It is important to take this as a sign of friendship and not be rude to someone who holds your hand.
2) Nursing children at funeral
a. Doesn’t matter when or where; here it is culturally appropriate to breast feed your child no matter what the occasion. It is no surprise when a baby starts to cry in the clinic and the mother immediately begins to breast feed in front of those around.
3) Time
a. Time is very frustrating here; especially if you have something to get done. Many times people show up two hours late for something and do not feel the need to apologize. Because for Zambians the event is important, not the time. If someone is running late for a meeting, they will still stop and talk to a friend for up to 30 minutes and this is normal. The graduation ceremony was supposed to start at 1; however, no one even showed up until after 2. When I say no one I include those who ran the ceremony.
4) Electricity is not a necessity. No one here relies on it.
a. The electricity goes off all of the time, but this is not a complaint. After a couple weeks it no longer fazes me. So you can imagine how little it affects those who have spent their entire lives here.
5) Water is limited
a. We currently are limited to 100 gallons until the water line is fixed.
b. There is a saying: “If it is yellow, let it mellow.” I like to add: “if it is green, flee the scene.”
6) Food
a. Zambians have snima EVERY meal and they LOVE it. Some say they are even addicted to it. Augustine says you are not Zambian if you do not like snima. I have acquired the taste and enjoy it as well. It is simply corn meal stuff and water. I do not exaggerate when I say they eat it every meal everyday.
7) Hunting
a. We went hunting with the guys from Eric’s house and this was a completely different experience than in America. We simply took off with knives and a pack of 6 fast dogs.
8) Hitching Rides
a. If you have room in your vehicle and someone is walking along the road, one is obligated to pick that person up. Many times we have piled up to 8 people into a little car or even more in the back of a truck. Everyone here is very hospitable and caring when it comes to giving rides. I look forward to using my car when I arrive back in the states. I miss my little Dodge Neon that my parents were willing to give me; I now see that it is nicer than all the cars in Zambia. If an elderly woman is walking along the road, one must stop to pick her up.