The vast majority of people here do not have washing machines. Either they or their house girl wash the clothes by hand. Wayne and Barb and I have a HAU employee that does our laundry for us, as well as cleaning our apartments.
Usually a large rubber/plastic container is used, along with a 3 gallon pail. The container is about 5 inches deep and circular, about 15 inches in diameter. The soap (which is a blue powder), water and clothes are put in the container, and washed by hand one a a time. Then they are rinsed out with the clean water that is in the pail. Some people have clothesline strung behind their house, other lay the clothes on bushes that surround their property.
Here at HAU, behind the dorm is a large concrete sink with 2 long sinks in it. Each sink is about 4 feet long, and each sink has 2 faucets in in (only cold water). The students often put the container and pail in the sink, and fill both with water. We have extensive clothes lines next to the sink. Usually the students wash their clothes early in the morning. It is not uncommon to see several students out there at 6:00 a.m.
It is rainy season now, so one has to work around the rain, which often comes mid or late morning, and sometimes again during the late afternoon or early evening. Most days are sunny, or at least warm if it is overcast, so working around the rain isn’t usually too much of a problem.
Most people have outside sinks like the one described above. Most have indoor sinks as well. The indoor sinks only have one faucet, so water has to be heated. Many people use charcoal to cook with, but some have a propane tank as well. We each have a propane tank next to our stove so we can cook with gas.
I was at my colleague Linnet’s home last Saturday. They cook with charcoal and/or propane. The have a area next to their house where the have the charcoal stove. It is a small item, maybe a foot or 18 inches high (they are made in various sizes), and somewhat round. The charcoal is put on the inside, and the pan put on top to cook.
Is it extremely common to see burlap bags full of charcoal piled on the back of bicycles. We often see young men with them on the back of bicycles riding down the road from up country. The trip is downhill, and I imagine the charcoal is quite heavy. I admire their strength and courage in making these trips. To go back up country, men often ride their bikes behind a truck, one hand on the back of the truck somewhere, the other on the handle bar. I’ve seen this numerous times. See the photo on the blog for an example.
The Burundians frequently have a meal of beans, with various vegetables such a tomato, onion, sweet potato, and peas. It is sort of like a thick soup. Often this is put over over rice. One the side the often have a combination of peas and carrots.
Dessert often consists of a banana, or pieces of mango, pineapple or papaya.
Tea and coffee are ubiquitous here since both are grown up country. They are also fond of Fanta and Coca Cola. Fruito, a drink made from passion fruit is also very common.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
A Typical Weekday at HAU
Thought I would share a typical weekday for me at HAU.
Wake up around 6 a.m. (possibly due to the bullfrogs singing. )
6:15 – 6:35 After putting on my “walking skirt, tank top and tennis shoes, I leave the apartment for a walk on the road just outside campus. The earlier I go the better. Already by 6 a.m. there are people out walking, people of bicycles and mopeds, as well as various motor vehicles. If one waits until 6:30 there are quite a number of folks out. Plus, as it approaches 7 a.m., the temperature and humidity are already on the rise.
6:35 – 6:50 approx. run the stairs up and down to the apartment (we are on 3rd floor), do a few exercises in my extra bedroom (which has carpet, and no bed)
7:00 shower
7:15-7:35 make breakfast and do dishes. I like to eat Busoma. It is a ground power that looks something like Cocoa Wheats. A missionary doctor came up with the formula. It contains roasted soybeans, roasted maize, molasses and a few other things. It is cooked just like Cocoa Wheats. It was created to provide nutrition for malnourished children.
7:35 - 8:00 Sit on the back balcony (it is screened in) for devotions and breakfast
8:15 or so – Walk down the stairs and across the drive to the library
MWF – 10:30 to 11:30 is chapel. We walk down the road and to the church about 5 minutes or so. HAU has a chapel band. They are excellent. Songs may be in Kirundi, Swahili, French or English, or different verses of a song in a different language.
If it is Tuesday or Thursday, I teach the cataloging class from 10:30 to 12 noon.
12:15 to approx 2:15 – lunch and a nap. Here in Burundi people take a 2 hour lunch so they can have a catnap. I love it! It is so humid here, that one tires more easily, and the nap is a great refresher
2:15 – 5 or 6 p.m. (or somewhere in between) back to work.
After work:
If it is still light, I enjoy sitting on the balcony and watching the sunset and the sky. The balcony that is outside our apartment doors is on the north side of the building. If we look east, we see the mountains of Burunid – “up country” as it is called here. To the east we can see a small sliver or two of Lake Tangayika, and if it is very clearn, we can see the mountains of the Congo.
Often Wayne and Barb and I chat about our day and catch up on news.
Sometime between 6:30 and 8:00 I eat supper. The nationals eat the evening meal around 8 p.m.
7 p.m. to 9:15: some combination of the following: prepare for class, read, relax, check e-mail or write on the blog.
9:15 – 9:30 Shower (it is humid here – and two showers a day feels great; once in a while I have 3). If the electricity is on – the shower is quite warm.
9: 40 Head for bed. (Often serenaded by the bullfrogs, also sometimes stereo music or singing from campus. ) (sometimes the dogs next door sing along with the frogs… )
On Friday evenings, the 5 of us North Americans here on campus leave about 5:30 and join just a few other white missionaries as a local restaurant. It is fun to catch up on news and fellowship together.
Wake up around 6 a.m. (possibly due to the bullfrogs singing. )
6:15 – 6:35 After putting on my “walking skirt, tank top and tennis shoes, I leave the apartment for a walk on the road just outside campus. The earlier I go the better. Already by 6 a.m. there are people out walking, people of bicycles and mopeds, as well as various motor vehicles. If one waits until 6:30 there are quite a number of folks out. Plus, as it approaches 7 a.m., the temperature and humidity are already on the rise.
6:35 – 6:50 approx. run the stairs up and down to the apartment (we are on 3rd floor), do a few exercises in my extra bedroom (which has carpet, and no bed)
7:00 shower
7:15-7:35 make breakfast and do dishes. I like to eat Busoma. It is a ground power that looks something like Cocoa Wheats. A missionary doctor came up with the formula. It contains roasted soybeans, roasted maize, molasses and a few other things. It is cooked just like Cocoa Wheats. It was created to provide nutrition for malnourished children.
7:35 - 8:00 Sit on the back balcony (it is screened in) for devotions and breakfast
8:15 or so – Walk down the stairs and across the drive to the library
MWF – 10:30 to 11:30 is chapel. We walk down the road and to the church about 5 minutes or so. HAU has a chapel band. They are excellent. Songs may be in Kirundi, Swahili, French or English, or different verses of a song in a different language.
If it is Tuesday or Thursday, I teach the cataloging class from 10:30 to 12 noon.
12:15 to approx 2:15 – lunch and a nap. Here in Burundi people take a 2 hour lunch so they can have a catnap. I love it! It is so humid here, that one tires more easily, and the nap is a great refresher
2:15 – 5 or 6 p.m. (or somewhere in between) back to work.
After work:
If it is still light, I enjoy sitting on the balcony and watching the sunset and the sky. The balcony that is outside our apartment doors is on the north side of the building. If we look east, we see the mountains of Burunid – “up country” as it is called here. To the east we can see a small sliver or two of Lake Tangayika, and if it is very clearn, we can see the mountains of the Congo.
Often Wayne and Barb and I chat about our day and catch up on news.
Sometime between 6:30 and 8:00 I eat supper. The nationals eat the evening meal around 8 p.m.
7 p.m. to 9:15: some combination of the following: prepare for class, read, relax, check e-mail or write on the blog.
9:15 – 9:30 Shower (it is humid here – and two showers a day feels great; once in a while I have 3). If the electricity is on – the shower is quite warm.
9: 40 Head for bed. (Often serenaded by the bullfrogs, also sometimes stereo music or singing from campus. ) (sometimes the dogs next door sing along with the frogs… )
On Friday evenings, the 5 of us North Americans here on campus leave about 5:30 and join just a few other white missionaries as a local restaurant. It is fun to catch up on news and fellowship together.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
A Bug that Prays?
Well, it did look like it was praying! I had a bit of a fright, or maybe I should say surprise Friday during lunch hour. I had gone down to the ground floor shower room to get water. (We have a very good filter on one of the showers. We get water there and use it to fill the water coolers in our apartments.) As I came out of the shower room and was locking up, I looked up and a bit of a screech came out of my lips. A large praying mantis was hanging just a bit above eye level. At first glance I didn’t know it was a praying mantis, so it startled me. I was taking a good look when student I know was walking by, and he swatted it down, and I didn’t see it again.
A couple of things come to mind from this incident:
#1. Was it REALLY praying
In another culture, it is sometimes easy to assign inaccurate meaning to an event because we lack understanding. When living outside our own culture, a person is wise to take the stance of a learner, and not draw conclusions without digging deeper. One example, one can be very puzzled to see men holding hands while walking together. In Central and East Africa (maybe other places too) it is a sign of a good friendship when men hold hands. I think the same is true for women.
#2. The praying mantis LOOKED like it was praying.
Our actions do have an impact. People do notice what we do. But, more important than actions, are the heart and motives from which the actions spring. When living in another culture, it is all to easy to make mistakes. The mantis truly looked like it was praying! I thought Q so I did X . Oops….. But, if our heart and motives are noted, we will likely be forgiven. I heard a story a couple years ago from a veteran missionary. It went something like this: he was invited to a special meal. There were important nationals there. In one dish they were served, he found the meat to be extremely tough and about impossible to chew and swallow. It happened that there was a dog in the house. He carefully sneaked a few pieces of meat to the dog. Somehow he was found out. Then he found out it was an especially bad social mistep. Well, he got through it. And who of us haven’t made a social blunder. But, we manage to get through it (usually). Life doesn’t end - we dust ourselves off, laugh at ourselves, and carry on.
#3. Maybe it was praying … maybe it wasn’t
If we get an opportunity, we should examine things, ask questions, analyze, but do it with wisdom. It was ok to want to examine a praying mantis, but I didn’t get much of a chance. But it wouldn’t be wise to examine a live snake here. There are about 16 types of them that are poisonous. I don’t want to take any chances. Therefore, if possible, I try to ask a national for advice before I take action. Using this method, we can gradually learn to make wise choices in another culture.
Hmm, seems there is an eternal culture I am preparing to enter. I want to be involved in learning about that culture. How often do I seek out the Architect of that culture? How often do I read the Guidebook? Do I meet with other people on this journey to help me stay on the path?
A couple of things come to mind from this incident:
#1. Was it REALLY praying
In another culture, it is sometimes easy to assign inaccurate meaning to an event because we lack understanding. When living outside our own culture, a person is wise to take the stance of a learner, and not draw conclusions without digging deeper. One example, one can be very puzzled to see men holding hands while walking together. In Central and East Africa (maybe other places too) it is a sign of a good friendship when men hold hands. I think the same is true for women.
#2. The praying mantis LOOKED like it was praying.
Our actions do have an impact. People do notice what we do. But, more important than actions, are the heart and motives from which the actions spring. When living in another culture, it is all to easy to make mistakes. The mantis truly looked like it was praying! I thought Q so I did X . Oops….. But, if our heart and motives are noted, we will likely be forgiven. I heard a story a couple years ago from a veteran missionary. It went something like this: he was invited to a special meal. There were important nationals there. In one dish they were served, he found the meat to be extremely tough and about impossible to chew and swallow. It happened that there was a dog in the house. He carefully sneaked a few pieces of meat to the dog. Somehow he was found out. Then he found out it was an especially bad social mistep. Well, he got through it. And who of us haven’t made a social blunder. But, we manage to get through it (usually). Life doesn’t end - we dust ourselves off, laugh at ourselves, and carry on.
#3. Maybe it was praying … maybe it wasn’t
If we get an opportunity, we should examine things, ask questions, analyze, but do it with wisdom. It was ok to want to examine a praying mantis, but I didn’t get much of a chance. But it wouldn’t be wise to examine a live snake here. There are about 16 types of them that are poisonous. I don’t want to take any chances. Therefore, if possible, I try to ask a national for advice before I take action. Using this method, we can gradually learn to make wise choices in another culture.
Hmm, seems there is an eternal culture I am preparing to enter. I want to be involved in learning about that culture. How often do I seek out the Architect of that culture? How often do I read the Guidebook? Do I meet with other people on this journey to help me stay on the path?
Saturday, September 19, 2009
St. Paul said "I have learned to be content..."
After 3 weeks of frequent lack of electricity, and occasional absence of water from the faucets, and after finishing the reading of the condensed version of "Escape from Red China", my thoughts turned this morning to St. Paul's statement in Phil. 4"I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."
The man who escaped from Red China was Chinese, and had traveled to the U.S. in the early 1950's. A professor he had studied under in China urged him to return, to help build the communist project in China. After returning to China, it took him some time for his idealism to change to fear and despair. He resolved to find a way to escape, and succeeded.
The common thread in these two instances is the difficult path St. Paul, and Loh
(the chinese man) both experienced. St. Paul said in II Corinthians 4 "we are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair, persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."
I have seen in bits and pieces, and heard some stories, of the deep challenges the people of Burundi face. In varying degress, they walk, and have walked a very difficult path.
How does one live life in the face of utter demoralization the masses faced in Red China under Mao? How did St. Paul cope after receiving 39 lashes five different times; being shipwrecked, not once, but 3 times,
imprisoned numerous times, and more? How do the Barundi have hope? Do they have hope? Not in just these three instances, but among the whole of humankind, daily, thousands struggle from hunger, thirst, the ravages of war, abuse, and injustice.
St. Paul said he had learned to be content. If I ponder on his claim for long, I am nearly incredulous. Here in Burundi with humidity and some heat, this American is thankful that God gives grace to "keep on keeping on" when electricity is erratic, when the heat brings fatigue. Yet, today, this child of God pauses to ponder, to process. Deep in the heart of every human being liesthe cry for contentment, joy, and justice. There is in my heart today a question, "What did Paul mean when he
said "he had learned to be content in any and every situation"? What are the implications of this statement for me? For the Barundi? For each of us?
Was Paul crazy? That's doubltful. How could he claim that he had learned to be content? why even try to learn to be content?
Yet, he said he had learned? What was Paul's secret?
Friend, there is dissonance in my heart this morning. Can a person be content when he is hungry? In pain? Ravaged by evil?
A westerner would be filled with self-loathing if they even whispered to a brother or sister here: "Oh, please, just learn to be like St. Paul -- learn to be content in any and every situation". How utterly reprehensible!!!!
What an utter desecration and corruption of the gospel.
Contentment? How much can I experience if I do not seek to lesson the discontent in the heart of my neighbor?
Father,
Your Son gave His life so man can experience contentment. What would you have me give?
The man who escaped from Red China was Chinese, and had traveled to the U.S. in the early 1950's. A professor he had studied under in China urged him to return, to help build the communist project in China. After returning to China, it took him some time for his idealism to change to fear and despair. He resolved to find a way to escape, and succeeded.
The common thread in these two instances is the difficult path St. Paul, and Loh
(the chinese man) both experienced. St. Paul said in II Corinthians 4 "we are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair, persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."
I have seen in bits and pieces, and heard some stories, of the deep challenges the people of Burundi face. In varying degress, they walk, and have walked a very difficult path.
How does one live life in the face of utter demoralization the masses faced in Red China under Mao? How did St. Paul cope after receiving 39 lashes five different times; being shipwrecked, not once, but 3 times,
imprisoned numerous times, and more? How do the Barundi have hope? Do they have hope? Not in just these three instances, but among the whole of humankind, daily, thousands struggle from hunger, thirst, the ravages of war, abuse, and injustice.
St. Paul said he had learned to be content. If I ponder on his claim for long, I am nearly incredulous. Here in Burundi with humidity and some heat, this American is thankful that God gives grace to "keep on keeping on" when electricity is erratic, when the heat brings fatigue. Yet, today, this child of God pauses to ponder, to process. Deep in the heart of every human being liesthe cry for contentment, joy, and justice. There is in my heart today a question, "What did Paul mean when he
said "he had learned to be content in any and every situation"? What are the implications of this statement for me? For the Barundi? For each of us?
Was Paul crazy? That's doubltful. How could he claim that he had learned to be content? why even try to learn to be content?
Yet, he said he had learned? What was Paul's secret?
Friend, there is dissonance in my heart this morning. Can a person be content when he is hungry? In pain? Ravaged by evil?
A westerner would be filled with self-loathing if they even whispered to a brother or sister here: "Oh, please, just learn to be like St. Paul -- learn to be content in any and every situation". How utterly reprehensible!!!!
What an utter desecration and corruption of the gospel.
Contentment? How much can I experience if I do not seek to lesson the discontent in the heart of my neighbor?
Father,
Your Son gave His life so man can experience contentment. What would you have me give?
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Creatures in Burundi
I don't think there is as much wildlife in Burundi as in, for example Kenya. However I've been blessed to hear some of the sounds of varoius animals, and see some of the wildlife as well. Last week Thursday - Saturday we spent at Kibuye mission station. I believe it is a bit south east of Gitega (if you happen to check out a map of Burundi), which is about in the center of the country.
We saw several sun birds. They are rather small - but bigger than a sparrow. They come in varous colors. Some of their chests are light pink, others are bright neon green, others light blue. Their backs are iridescent blue or green, depending on the way the sun strikes them.
I have a few pictures of the paradist flycatcher. I noted that it is mostly a copper color. We enjoyed the frequent call of the bell bird. We even watched a pair as they hopped around tall pine trees, and in and out of a huge eucalyptus tree. I got a very good look at them, but didn't get any pictures. They are a bit bigger than a pigeon, but not so chubby. They are mainly black, but their chests a white, fading into a pink. their call is amazing. Usually a pair answers back precisely on the tail of the mates song. Do a "google" search and see what you find.
It is not unusual to see a small gecko here, or other small (like 4-6 inches) lizards. Geckos like to linger on walls or ceilings. They are good guys, since they eat mosquitoes.
Oh, I should not forget the bullfrogs. Right now they are singing quite the songs! A whole choir of them!
Hey, guess what I saw Sunday evening? Four hippopatamus (sp?). We had just come out of a restaurant about 1 1/2 hours after sunset. One of the people with us knew to look across the road in the grass next to Lake Tanganyika. We saw a car with its headlights shining into the grass. We pulled across the road, and added the headlights of our vehicle. There were 3 adults and 1 baby. We were about 130 feet from them (maybe less). They seemed quite unconcerned about our presence. Hippos are known to come up out of the lake in the evening and munch on grass through the night. They take in 300-400 lbs each night. Wow! By the time we left, there were five cards sitting along side the road. We didnt' get any good pictures, so you'll just have to believe that we saw them. They were quite distinct - easily seen with 4 sets of headlights on them.
Last evening I was walking around the top floor of the huge building that is under construction. I hope to take some photos from up there. One has a great view of the area surrounding HAU. Anyway, I saw a pair of birds that reminded me of large swallows. They were black, but had white along the side of the head, and on their chests.
Lastly, it is very common, when driving up country, to see small herds of goats or longhorn cattle. At times there might be just a couple goats, with one or two cows. Traditionally, Barundians have measured their wealth by the number of cattle they own.
Well, I'll close for now. It is time for me to go and count sheep!
We saw several sun birds. They are rather small - but bigger than a sparrow. They come in varous colors. Some of their chests are light pink, others are bright neon green, others light blue. Their backs are iridescent blue or green, depending on the way the sun strikes them.
I have a few pictures of the paradist flycatcher. I noted that it is mostly a copper color. We enjoyed the frequent call of the bell bird. We even watched a pair as they hopped around tall pine trees, and in and out of a huge eucalyptus tree. I got a very good look at them, but didn't get any pictures. They are a bit bigger than a pigeon, but not so chubby. They are mainly black, but their chests a white, fading into a pink. their call is amazing. Usually a pair answers back precisely on the tail of the mates song. Do a "google" search and see what you find.
It is not unusual to see a small gecko here, or other small (like 4-6 inches) lizards. Geckos like to linger on walls or ceilings. They are good guys, since they eat mosquitoes.
Oh, I should not forget the bullfrogs. Right now they are singing quite the songs! A whole choir of them!
Hey, guess what I saw Sunday evening? Four hippopatamus (sp?). We had just come out of a restaurant about 1 1/2 hours after sunset. One of the people with us knew to look across the road in the grass next to Lake Tanganyika. We saw a car with its headlights shining into the grass. We pulled across the road, and added the headlights of our vehicle. There were 3 adults and 1 baby. We were about 130 feet from them (maybe less). They seemed quite unconcerned about our presence. Hippos are known to come up out of the lake in the evening and munch on grass through the night. They take in 300-400 lbs each night. Wow! By the time we left, there were five cards sitting along side the road. We didnt' get any good pictures, so you'll just have to believe that we saw them. They were quite distinct - easily seen with 4 sets of headlights on them.
Last evening I was walking around the top floor of the huge building that is under construction. I hope to take some photos from up there. One has a great view of the area surrounding HAU. Anyway, I saw a pair of birds that reminded me of large swallows. They were black, but had white along the side of the head, and on their chests.
Lastly, it is very common, when driving up country, to see small herds of goats or longhorn cattle. At times there might be just a couple goats, with one or two cows. Traditionally, Barundians have measured their wealth by the number of cattle they own.
Well, I'll close for now. It is time for me to go and count sheep!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
A New View of Food
A New View of Food
Sept. 3, 2009
Well, tomorrow it will make 2 weeks that we've been here in Burundi this time. Though my 7th time, here, in many ways this is a new experience. First of all, I am teaching a semester-long 3 credit course. Second of all, I am living in an apartment on campus, and cooking for myself. Previously I haved made my home with an American couple here on campus. This all leads me to the topic of this blog entry: "A New View of Food".
It is obvious that living in a culture different than your own means experiencing food that is new to you. But, ones doesn't always have the experience of shopping for food and cooking the food and thinking about eating a balanced diet. After just a handful of shopping trips to purchase food for my kitchen here, it occured to me a couple days ago that I new a new appreciation for food, and am developing a new view of food. I don't clim to have amazing insights, just impressions new to me.
In Burundi there are none of the typical "fast food joints" many Americans are so fond of. For we "muzungus" (white people) here at Hope Africa. the five of us find grocery shopping a challenge. There are no "one-stop shopping" stores such as Meijer. There are no malls. There are a variety of grocery stores, some quite small, others just small. In some stores the prices are marked, in others they aren't. In the stores where the prices aren't on the items, one always wonders if the prices are hiked up if you are a muzungu, or if you don't have a national with you.
There are canned good, but they are quite a bit more costly than in the U.S. For example. I bought a small can of carrots and peas (about half the size of a can of regular Campbell's soup) and it was almost $4. Wow! But, it makes nice thing to add to soup, or curried rice. A big box of Corn Flakes is $7, and I have seen it for $17. No kidding!
I think the biggest difference I've noticed it that there are far fewer choices (at least from what I've seen so far) in fruit and veggies. Oranges, limes, mango, papaya, bananas and tomatoes are most common. Many times you can also find white potatoes, small red onions, garlic. Sometimes there are green onions, string beans, pineapple, and spinach. I've seen apples in a couple places, but you pay a stiff price for them. The catch is that the prices from store to store vary, as does the quality (on any one day) between stores and in one store. After one purchases fruit and veggies, one needs to wash them in a pan of water with a dash of bleach. Any missionary who has lived in a developing country knows this.
So, my "new view" is that I have realized I have a huge appreciation for the convenient shopping opportunities we have in most parts of the U.S. We as a huge economy in the world, can afford to only import the best looking fruit and vegetables. We can afford to have it cleaned and packaged. We can have almost any fruit or vegetable year round. Most of us can just hop into the car, drive over smooth roads in a good car, drive into a large smooth parking lot, and dash in and out of the store to grab things to satisfy the need for a fancy meal, or a late night snack.
Here, it usually means a trip to town, driving on roads that have potholes, dust, along with pedestrians, people riding bicycles, motorcyles, and lots of motor vehicles, with no stop signs, no signs at all come to think of it. Hey, no stop lights either! One has to navigate a parking space the best way possible. And remember, the store you enter is small. In one of them yesterday, it was hard to get past a person in the aisle. These stores have character. The contents of the container might be in Arabic, French, Chinese, or ???? There isn't air conditioning, nor are there fans, yet the temperatures are usually in the 80's.
Usually one visits 3 or 4 stores, because you know the price of something you need is much better at another place. But, it is likely you have learned that "the hard way". By the time one arrives back home, you feel sticky, a little grimy, hot, and ready for a cup of tea, and or a nap. Personally, the best treat is a bottle of passion fruit juice. Here (an in Honduras) it is known as Maracuja. Wow, is it delicious.
Hey, I forgot to talk about buying meat! Fish and chicken is usually frozen. You can buy pieces, or the whole thing. I bought some last Friday, but our power had been out for 18 hours, so it thawed pretty quick. The couple on campus that lives in their house has a generator, so she refroze it. I thawed it on Monday and ate it. Yummy!!!! Beef you buy by the Kilogram - and ask for it from a clerk since all the meat is in a glass case. If you are still learning Kirundi or French like me, you either point, or am thankful you have a national friend along with you.
Despite the challenges, it is always interesting to go grocery shopping. Products are package differently, if they are packaged. They are displayed differently. But, it isn't usually a cheap form of entertainment. I've spend almost the same on groceries as I do in the U.S. the fruits and vegetables aren't so high, but the other food items one wants are a pretty penny in most places.
I have come to appreciate the food I do have here. I dont' casually cut up a tomato, or carelessly peel a mango. It might be a 2 or 3 days before we go shopping again. If I eat all the fruits and veggies, I'll have to pester someone to take me shopping. I don't have a vehicle - and NO way would I drive here!
Bon appetite!
Sept. 3, 2009
Well, tomorrow it will make 2 weeks that we've been here in Burundi this time. Though my 7th time, here, in many ways this is a new experience. First of all, I am teaching a semester-long 3 credit course. Second of all, I am living in an apartment on campus, and cooking for myself. Previously I haved made my home with an American couple here on campus. This all leads me to the topic of this blog entry: "A New View of Food".
It is obvious that living in a culture different than your own means experiencing food that is new to you. But, ones doesn't always have the experience of shopping for food and cooking the food and thinking about eating a balanced diet. After just a handful of shopping trips to purchase food for my kitchen here, it occured to me a couple days ago that I new a new appreciation for food, and am developing a new view of food. I don't clim to have amazing insights, just impressions new to me.
In Burundi there are none of the typical "fast food joints" many Americans are so fond of. For we "muzungus" (white people) here at Hope Africa. the five of us find grocery shopping a challenge. There are no "one-stop shopping" stores such as Meijer. There are no malls. There are a variety of grocery stores, some quite small, others just small. In some stores the prices are marked, in others they aren't. In the stores where the prices aren't on the items, one always wonders if the prices are hiked up if you are a muzungu, or if you don't have a national with you.
There are canned good, but they are quite a bit more costly than in the U.S. For example. I bought a small can of carrots and peas (about half the size of a can of regular Campbell's soup) and it was almost $4. Wow! But, it makes nice thing to add to soup, or curried rice. A big box of Corn Flakes is $7, and I have seen it for $17. No kidding!
I think the biggest difference I've noticed it that there are far fewer choices (at least from what I've seen so far) in fruit and veggies. Oranges, limes, mango, papaya, bananas and tomatoes are most common. Many times you can also find white potatoes, small red onions, garlic. Sometimes there are green onions, string beans, pineapple, and spinach. I've seen apples in a couple places, but you pay a stiff price for them. The catch is that the prices from store to store vary, as does the quality (on any one day) between stores and in one store. After one purchases fruit and veggies, one needs to wash them in a pan of water with a dash of bleach. Any missionary who has lived in a developing country knows this.
So, my "new view" is that I have realized I have a huge appreciation for the convenient shopping opportunities we have in most parts of the U.S. We as a huge economy in the world, can afford to only import the best looking fruit and vegetables. We can afford to have it cleaned and packaged. We can have almost any fruit or vegetable year round. Most of us can just hop into the car, drive over smooth roads in a good car, drive into a large smooth parking lot, and dash in and out of the store to grab things to satisfy the need for a fancy meal, or a late night snack.
Here, it usually means a trip to town, driving on roads that have potholes, dust, along with pedestrians, people riding bicycles, motorcyles, and lots of motor vehicles, with no stop signs, no signs at all come to think of it. Hey, no stop lights either! One has to navigate a parking space the best way possible. And remember, the store you enter is small. In one of them yesterday, it was hard to get past a person in the aisle. These stores have character. The contents of the container might be in Arabic, French, Chinese, or ???? There isn't air conditioning, nor are there fans, yet the temperatures are usually in the 80's.
Usually one visits 3 or 4 stores, because you know the price of something you need is much better at another place. But, it is likely you have learned that "the hard way". By the time one arrives back home, you feel sticky, a little grimy, hot, and ready for a cup of tea, and or a nap. Personally, the best treat is a bottle of passion fruit juice. Here (an in Honduras) it is known as Maracuja. Wow, is it delicious.
Hey, I forgot to talk about buying meat! Fish and chicken is usually frozen. You can buy pieces, or the whole thing. I bought some last Friday, but our power had been out for 18 hours, so it thawed pretty quick. The couple on campus that lives in their house has a generator, so she refroze it. I thawed it on Monday and ate it. Yummy!!!! Beef you buy by the Kilogram - and ask for it from a clerk since all the meat is in a glass case. If you are still learning Kirundi or French like me, you either point, or am thankful you have a national friend along with you.
Despite the challenges, it is always interesting to go grocery shopping. Products are package differently, if they are packaged. They are displayed differently. But, it isn't usually a cheap form of entertainment. I've spend almost the same on groceries as I do in the U.S. the fruits and vegetables aren't so high, but the other food items one wants are a pretty penny in most places.
I have come to appreciate the food I do have here. I dont' casually cut up a tomato, or carelessly peel a mango. It might be a 2 or 3 days before we go shopping again. If I eat all the fruits and veggies, I'll have to pester someone to take me shopping. I don't have a vehicle - and NO way would I drive here!
Bon appetite!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Settling in at HAU
We arrived safely Friday evening, August 21. After our 3 night/2 day layover in Brussels, we felt somewhat rested by the time we arrived.
Saturday we went shopping for a few food and other essentials. It is always a bit of an adjustment to switch to using Burundi Francs (exchange rate is about 1,200 BF to one U.S. dollar. My disadvantage of knowing only some Kurundi, and even less French is always a challenge. But, I am already remembering more Kirundi. I think I will have gained a good bit of skill by mid-December. I am with Linnet (my colleague in the library) most of each day, and she has many conversations with students in Kirundi. I am remembering many words, and hearing more. Really a built in language tutor. Linnet and her husband and almost 5 year old son stopped by the apartment for a bit yesterday evening. I spoke some Kirundi to him. He was surprised. Linnet told me today that last night he told his 2 year old sister that "Auntie Karen" didn't speak very good Kirundi. Hmmm.... well, I hope I can at least get a passing mark from him by December.
Things are going well and we are getting settled in. The weather feels just like Michigan, but not as humid is typical for Michigan in August. But, that could likely change. We are told that it was quite hot for about 6 weeks prior to our coming. The day before we arrived last week, it rained quite a bit. Since then it has been cooler. I am very thankful.
I will close this entry for now, by sharing that the president of Burundi is hodling evangelical meetings from this afternoon until Sunday afternoon. He brought the gospel message tonight, and other nights a speaker from Uganda, Kenya and the U.S. They are so desirous to share the gospel. He is a born-again believer. Pray with me for much fruit from these meetings.
Saturday we went shopping for a few food and other essentials. It is always a bit of an adjustment to switch to using Burundi Francs (exchange rate is about 1,200 BF to one U.S. dollar. My disadvantage of knowing only some Kurundi, and even less French is always a challenge. But, I am already remembering more Kirundi. I think I will have gained a good bit of skill by mid-December. I am with Linnet (my colleague in the library) most of each day, and she has many conversations with students in Kirundi. I am remembering many words, and hearing more. Really a built in language tutor. Linnet and her husband and almost 5 year old son stopped by the apartment for a bit yesterday evening. I spoke some Kirundi to him. He was surprised. Linnet told me today that last night he told his 2 year old sister that "Auntie Karen" didn't speak very good Kirundi. Hmmm.... well, I hope I can at least get a passing mark from him by December.
Things are going well and we are getting settled in. The weather feels just like Michigan, but not as humid is typical for Michigan in August. But, that could likely change. We are told that it was quite hot for about 6 weeks prior to our coming. The day before we arrived last week, it rained quite a bit. Since then it has been cooler. I am very thankful.
I will close this entry for now, by sharing that the president of Burundi is hodling evangelical meetings from this afternoon until Sunday afternoon. He brought the gospel message tonight, and other nights a speaker from Uganda, Kenya and the U.S. They are so desirous to share the gospel. He is a born-again believer. Pray with me for much fruit from these meetings.
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