We had plans to see Harare, Mashoko, and Masvingo this week/weekend, but on our second day in Harare, Major got a call that there was a death in his family so we had to head back to Chidamoyo. We were a little disappointed that we didn't get to see the Ruins, but obviously, that is small in comparison. We had some amazing pizza in Harare at a place called Pizzazz. Major also bought us some ridiculously delicious Bar-One ice cream. We felt like we were going out in Indy! We also got to experience the Avondale flea market alone. I would still like to see the ghetto one if we had a Zimbabwean to go with us and show us around (and to help with Shona). We got some knick-knacks, a little giraffe painting, and I got a pair of pants. I learned to barter before trying stuff on. I kept trying on pants I liked and then not being able to get a good price. They definitely up the price for varungu (white people) and not knowing Shona doesn't help our case. It was pretty funny changing there. They hold up a sheet so you can change behind it, but it really only blocks one side.
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| The doctor overlooking the lake |
Last weekend I went to a men's conference for the Church of Christ in Zimbabwe. We left on Friday the 12th and returned on Saturday the 13th. Major, Dr. Munodawafa, and I stayed at a hotel in Chinhoyi on Friday night. If I had forgotten them from my experience in Kenya, I re-learned all my lessons on "African Time". The hotel breakfast was supposed to be between 6 and 7. At 6:27 the lady knocked on our door to tell us that breakfast was ready. I asked Major if we should go eat and then come back to shower, but he said no we should shower so we could eat and leave. We all took our bucket showers and finally got to breakfast and 8:30. The men's conference was going to a lake for the day and they told us to go straight there because we had already missed the morning stuff. As we were headed there (after random stops in Chinhoyi to buy street stuff and sodas) on the interstate we heard a loud CLUNK and the Rover got really bumpy. I thought a tire had popped. It turned out to be a u-joint... whatever that is. It was a minor thing, but not something that could be fixed on the spot. Major had to walk back to Chinhoyi (maybe 30 minutes one way), but the doctor and I stayed with the Rover. I decided I wanted to make some fun out of the situation so I walked down off the road and started throwing some rocks. I got the doctor to join and we talked about Zimbabwe, languages, Kenya, standardized testing, everything. The best part was that he shared how he has enjoyed being at Chidamoyo. He grew up in Harare and has only been at Chidamoyo for two months. He said, "When you interview they ask you why do you want to work at Chidamoyo and you say it is because you want to help, but you don't know until you get there and see." He explained that most patients he sees would never be able to see a doctor otherwise, whether because of money or travel. I also played him some Rend Collective in the Rover because he had been asking about them since I mentioned them the first time we had Bible study. He was asking if they were like "Hee-soo," which after a couple days I found out was Hillsong. HA! After awhile, Major got back and some other pastors picked us up to take us to the lake while Major worked on the car. I honestly thought we were in a taxi for the first half of the ride (the joys of not knowing the predominant language where you are).
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| Chilling on the boat |
When we arrived at the lake, a man asked if he could take a picture with me. I said yes, and next thing I knew about 15 guys needed a picture with me. They would get a group shot, and then one would shoo the others off to get a solo picture with me. They were posing hilariously, squatting and throwing up signs. I finally excused myself and went back to the doctor. The schedule for the day said we would have time for "horse riding" and a "boat cruise." We walked over to a fence where we could pet two horses and several pictures were taken (with the same poses). It is pretty crazy how many people will travel to Africa to see the wildlife, meanwhile all these Africans had never seen a horse. When we got to the boat, we saw it was only a 16 passenger pontoon. There were roughly 120 men at the conference. So, everyone took turns eating, sitting, and taking pictures (yes, same poses) on the boat. Oh, Africa. Pretty soon it was time for lunch. On the menu: sadza, rice, chicken. It was delicious but rice is very hard to eat with your hands, and I had a TINY piece of chicken. Seriously, the lady was just grabbing a piece and putting it on everyone's plates, but when it got to me she kept picking one up and dropping it back in the pot. I thought she was trying to find me a really good piece of white meat, but sure enough she found the tiniest piece she could from the bottom of the pot and put it on my plate. I walked away confused... SMH. Sadza on the lakeshore was pretty awesome, though. After lunch there were games. When that ended we ate the braai at 5:00 (it was scheduled for 4:00). Then we went back to the school for sadza and started the journey back home. As he had done the whole trip, Major bought me at least one Stoney at every stop. We need to buy him a case of "cock" (translation: coke) before we leave. On the way back, Major explained how "oh shit" wasn't swearing in Zimbabwe. It is the equivalent of "oh my goodness." I listened to a Rover full of pastors telling stories and then, in unison, yelling "OOHHH SHIIIIT." Awesome. We got back at midnight.
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| Sadza, rice, and a TINY piece of chicken |
-J
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