Shopping with White People

Well, I have delved more into my work of developing my framework for understanding the education system in Zambia. Yesterday morning I read the Operational Guidelines for Community Schools, the Education Sector National Implementation Framework, and the Zambia Education Policy Manual. These text help me grasp a basic understanding of the system before I see it in practice. It also helps me see the way things are “supposed” to be. My analytic mind is always working; therefore, I already have critiques of the system but those are not necessarily the most beneficial things to focus on right now. Now is a time for learning and enriching myself in the system and experience.

Yesterday after lunch I went with David Temfwe and his friend Daniel to different shops in Ndola to price items I need for my house when I move in next week. For example, we priced beds, sofas, refrigerators, etc. To be honest it was kinda awkward. David and Daniel would lead me into the shops and then I would walk around pricing items with the sale clerks. The awkward part was that the sale clerks would say things in Bemba (their language) to David and Daniel about the white guy coming to spend his money. This is what the guys would tell me. And then the sale clerks would make comments about me not wanting to buy the expensive items but instead wanting to look at the cheap items. It goes to show the images we have in our minds of each other. I do it. You do it. We all do it. We just may not vocalize these things, but when put into a cross-cultural situation, these issues come to the surface. I mean it is not as if the stereotypes are unfounded. We Americans love to spend our money lavishly and others know it. I am as guilty as the next in that regard.

Have you ever gotten serious stares? I mean serious ones. Where everyone looks at you like you walked out the door without your pants. I get those everyday when I go running in the afternoon, and it is not because I forgot my pants. At least I think not. According to David Temfwe, the only people that run in Zambia are the soccer players; therefore, I stand out. I mean it would be a little different if I was 5’8 and 160 pounds and was running. But no I am 6’4 and 260 lbs. I am a sight, so I get stares. I am fine with it because I have my ipod and am listening to Beyonce while I run, but it is an adventure when I run. My friend Liz warned me that people would start running with me. That happened for the first time today. I passed a group of five 10 year old girls today and waved at them. They waved back. I passed them like a bolt of lightening (cough, cough!), and then I saw them sprint up from behind me. They got about two yards in front of me and stopped, acted like they were looking at something, and then ran away giggling. I thought it was pretty funny. Back to the waving issue, I thought it was great today that on my run I received a couple of waves from people. I am the one who has initiated the waves in the past but today two people initiated waves with me. It put a smile on my face.

Alright, sorry for the long post there, but I just got going. Today, I am off to the slums of Ndola to observe some of the schools with whom I will be working. Then I will be preparing for my trip to Lusaka on Friday. Lusaka is the capital of Zambia. Lawrence Temfwe and I are going and to be honest I don’t know what we are doing. I know that we are picking up my work permit, but we also have other engagements. Finally, I have posted two pictures. The first is of the Jubilee Centre, the place I work, and the second is of the house I am staying at now. I will post more as I have time. Peace!!