Week 10- Cultural

No matter where we go in Livingstone we are greeted by many a friendly face and more so than often we bump into someone we know along the way. Staying at Jollyboys allows us to meet many people travelling from afar and usually the communal kitchen is the spot where we get chatting to these people and find out a bit more about them. The problem is though that the travellers at Jollyboys are only passing through and aren’t staying for very long so it makes it difficult getting to know people. We are therefore very thankful that we have been able to make friends with many of the locals as seeing them on a regular basis builds up our friendships as well as enabling us to learn more about Zambia, its people, attractions and culture.

Playing football at the orphanage

This Sunday was Easter Sunday and we thought we would join in with the celebrations in the local Presbyterian Church. It was a rather lively service with a lot of singing and dancing which put me in a good mood for the rest of the day. Later on that afternoon we took a trip to the orphanage with Jollyboys to play some football with the children. We have been coming to the orphanage on a weekly basis and have been reading books, playing games and doing arts and crafts with the children. This has allowed us to build up a relationship with them and get to know them better although it is evident that they seem rather distant from many of the people who come to visit (even us at times). They see so many people come and go that they don’t make much of an effort as they feel that they won’t ever see these people again so there isn’t much point in building up relationships. However, the more time we spend with the children in the orphanage, then hopefully they will continue to warm to us.

Maramba market

Furthermore, we have been putting our haggling skills to good use at the markets where there are many African art and craftworks on sale which make ideal gifts for people back home. We’ve had a lot of fun bartering with the sales men and women trying to get the lowest price possible for a particular good although at times it can be rather frustrating when they try to pressure you to enter their stall and buy their work. This market in particular is called Mukuni Craft market which is mainly targeted at tourists which is therefore why high prices are charged. However, we have also experienced another market just outside town which is where the locals go to purchase foodstuff, clothing, household items as well as Chitenga material. What I found at this market was that the prices were extremely cheap and no one hassled you to enter their stall or to buy their items. This was a much more enjoyable shopping experience which resulted in me buying many pieces of African material which I am then going to get made into clothing at the dressmakers. At this rate I am going to end up bringing home a full African wardrobe!

In the material shop