Burning the Snakes

This and That

I thought I would jot a quick line on unimportant matters about life here.
Did you know that after one kills a snake it must be burned? Neither did I. The lady who takes care of the bishop’s house where I rent a room, has been some major cleaning of our compound. She has been working on it since I left to the US September 4^th.  They began by cutting down five very large trees. The workers are reckless and many things were damaged by falling limbs, even on of the cars. The compound is about 50 x 50 yards and the cement walls that secure the place have been a dumping ground for rubbish. The workers spent days hauling cart after cart of trash. There were so many empty liquor bottles and beer cans...oh these religious!
What they had found were many snakes nesting in the rubbish, they kill them and then to gather around to burn them. They continue to add more and more kerosene to the fire to assure that they are dead. Did you know that if you do not burn them, they come back to life? Neither did I. Do you believe it? Neither do I. It is funny that there are so many beliefs form so many tribes from so long ago when living in the bush.

I will add another folder for photos so you can see the things I am writing about.
Next is the mud outside my gate that I get to walk through every day. I laugh because when I was home, I walked a lot and never once did I have to wash my tennis shoes. Here it is nonstop. I clean before I go to school after I arrive, then again when I get home. The Africans just walk through barefoot then rinse their feet in a puddle.

My neighbor who is a government big shot has a compound about the same size as ours. About three weeks ago I kept hearing the mooing of a cow all night, then within a few days the stench of manure filled my house. I come to learn that they have brought 300 chickens there. I have gotten the other neighbors to begin complaining with me to the village elder. It will be a hard battle since the owner is a government official and they do as they please.

You will see pictures of Abdalla’s nyumbani (room). This is his third month to be here, and the great thing is he began his own small business where he earns about $1 per day. His rent is $25/month and $2 electricity. He still relies on me for most of his food and supplies, but slowly he is doing more and more on his own as he is able. He invited Kathy and I for lunch, a stew of green bananas, arrow root, potatoes and onions with rice. It was really good! Most around this area does not have all the luxuries he has, but as I told him from the beginning I was not going to spoil him....but he is one of my kids!!

And lastly, I saw these six men installing a new a pole for electrical wiring. They used three large ropes and would huff and puff for a while then take a break. It amazes me how things are done so manually. When I was home last, I just pulled out the vacuum for mere pleasure.

Oh, and one more, I came across this baby zebra on the news yesterday. It was spotted about one year ago, but this is news to me. I have seen many zebras and they are a very beautiful animal in the wild.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSKdu_-YfXg



God Bless you all