Thursday, January 10, 2008

A Day's Work for Rich!

Today was moving day for teachers (even though school opened three days ago). Students have been at school, sweeping the floors, slashing the grass, laughing with friends, and waiting for their teachers to arrive. We took three new teachers out to Katungu, and picked up Jerry and one other new teacher from that area and took them to Mutala. It was an adventure that took the entire day—it makes one smile.

This morning we met two of the new teachers at El Pantano in Kalomo and news got around town that the truck was going to Katungu. When we left, we had three teachers and their katundu, seven or eight others and their purchases from town, and three bicycles. It was a full load, but we picked up four others along the way.

At Katungu about 150 children and adults gathered around to watch the unloading and reloading of the truck. When we returned we had the katundu of two teachers, and the truck was full again. The load was about six feet high at the front and it included an entertainment centre!, coffee tables, large chairs, a bed and mattresses, pots and pans, jugs, suitcases, books, pieces of metal, old boards with nails sticking out, five bags of charcoal, a bike, two puppies, eight chickens, and a large pig. The crowd really enjoyed watching the loading of the pig.

Even though we had it all tarped down, that Kabanga road is so rough that we had to stop more than once to collect things that fell off. Jerry had his nsima ready for supper in one container but lost that to the Kabanga road. Once the puppies escaped and had to be chased down by those who rode on the load. Two women and one baby rode in the front with me, two girls and one boy road at the back with the animals, and three men rode on top of the load swaying back and forth with the truck.

In addition to this, yesterday I had trouble with the electrical system on Dyna and so each time that I turned the vehicle off, several people had to push in order for us to get started. It felt like I was in a scene from the Beverly Hillbillies! When I left Mutala the pig was rooting around in its new surroundings. Tonight the Dyna is resting at the maintenance shop.

Sue is saying that I will never be able to work at Walmart, so we will need to plan another adventure!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Greetings, Rich and Sue,
Just a short note to say hi - and that Tiff is on her way! We bid her farewell at the Regina Airport a few hours ago. There was a nice group of family and friends there to send her on her journey. My heart wanted to be heading through security with her - but my turn will come again some day. I know how excited she is to see you and you to see her. Enjoy your month together.
Miss you guys lots. Love hearing your daily news. Give our love and greetings to all we know. We will see you sometime in February.

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