We met our Zambian helper today. Her name is Agness, and she helped us navigate public transportation and get to the city. Our DFA today was "basic bio". Our goal was to meet people–just to greet them and give them basic information about ourselves. Our names, where we’re from, our jobs, etc. Our first stop was awkward. We met with three guys working outside a home. It felt forced, but we learned a lot about them.
Then as we were walking, Tessa met a woman who really wanted to talk to us. Melodie is Zambian, but grew up in the Congo, so she spoke French. Immediately, Tessa and I switched from English to French to speak with her. She was so excited to speak to people who knew French.
The next group of people were working. One worked to repair soles of shoe another sold coal. Others sat around to visit. The group liked to laugh and joke. This is what I love about Africa – just sitting together enjoying life in the shade.
The mini-bus rides were fun today. People greeted us and joked with us as we careened through Lusaka. It was more like the Africa I know today. Agness was good at letting us talk to people and guiding us to people. But the best one was the woman we met, Melodie all by ourselves.
Tessa and Agness walk down the street in the city of Lusaka.
The view from the back of the minibus. In Africa, there's no such thing as personal space.
Agness, Tessa and I in the back row of the minibus.
Then as we were walking, Tessa met a woman who really wanted to talk to us. Melodie is Zambian, but grew up in the Congo, so she spoke French. Immediately, Tessa and I switched from English to French to speak with her. She was so excited to speak to people who knew French.
The next group of people were working. One worked to repair soles of shoe another sold coal. Others sat around to visit. The group liked to laugh and joke. This is what I love about Africa – just sitting together enjoying life in the shade.
The mini-bus rides were fun today. People greeted us and joked with us as we careened through Lusaka. It was more like the Africa I know today. Agness was good at letting us talk to people and guiding us to people. But the best one was the woman we met, Melodie all by ourselves.
Tessa and Agness walk down the street in the city of Lusaka.
The view from the back of the minibus. In Africa, there's no such thing as personal space.
Agness, Tessa and I in the back row of the minibus.
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