SAIKA
Hello Everyone,
If you come to Zambia be sure to bring your SAIKA (Say-cah); tribal word meaning SMILE.
1) Standing in the bank teller line the other day the power popped on and off about three times before Ted reached the woman at the teller window. He was requesting a withdrawal and the teller mentioned that the bank was experiencing some power problems. She was unable to access our account on computer so, very politely, she asks, “Do you have funds in your account?” “Uh, yes, there should be,” replied Ted. “Thank you,” she says while handing him the kwacha (money).
ON THE SAIKA SCALE: 7
If you come to Zambia bring your VISA, other cards not accepted.
2) It is nearly impossible to figure out a person’s age here. So much an issue that CRS Orphan and Vulnerable Children have a blitz going on for parents and guardians to complete birth certificates. It is a serious issue but when an adult is asked “How old are you” the conversation can be down right comical…
“How old are you?”
“Pardon?” (squirming begins to set in)
“You know, your age, what is your age?”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“My age?”
“Yes.”
“Today?”
“Sure.”
“Oh…well, just let me… Hmm, my mother and father…Me?
“Yes”
“Today?
“Please.”
“Ohhhh-kay… I was born Two, Zero, Zero, One.”
“You have three kids, that is impossible!!"
ON THE SAIKA SCALE: 8
If you come to Zambia bring your birth certificate.
3) Walking home the other day a huge truck pulling a trailer with a full load is rolling down the road. In the states, when a truck this big is on the road there is a sign on the front and back that reads WIDE LOAD. Here the signs read, ABNORMAL. As the truck passes by the ABNORMAL sign on the back is half on the truck and half dragging on the road...
SAIKA SCALE: 9
If you come to Zambia just expect some things to be ABNORMAL.
4) We bought our first mirror recently! A compliment in Zambia is if someone remarks, “Oh Ted (or Mona) you are looking very FAT!” If that comment (compliment??) doesn’t make you rush out and buy a mirror nothing will. In Solwezi a mirror comes with no frame or mounting hardware it is just a piece of glass that you hammer to the wall. Both of us have received the FAT compliment so we were scrambling for mirror space.
FAT RESULTS: It is better to be fat and healthy in Zambia than thin and sick.
SAIKA SCALE: 10
If you come to Zambia leave the scale at home.
5) Nothing compares to the experiences with utility companies in a developing country. If you come, you can bank that long standing relationships will form between communication, electric, and water companies.
a) Returned to Zamtel (govt communications) for an internet update, it had been down for some time. Employees were told by management to ask for user id and password and to fax information to head office in Lusaka. (Sounds crazy but we don’t have time or space to go there…). Return next day to inquire about fax and was told that the fax finally went through but that there was another problem. The fax number was to US Embassy in Lusaka. With perplexed look Ted asks, “Hmm, and, now you are doing what?” “Nothing, as yet, we don’t know our fax number…”
b) Living without television has been okay but sometimes we crave to see a movie. Lusaka has a theater and over the Christmas holiday we were very much looking forward to the cinema. Popcorn, Kit-Kats, in hand, we were happy campers! Two-thirds through Narnia and “boom” complete darkness. There was a collective sigh by the entire audience and together they shouted, Ah, Zesco (govt electric). No emergency lights in theater, people used the “green glow” from cell phones to exit the building.
c) “Return to Water Department,” is a statement in our everyday vocabulary. Last October alone: 17 visits. A couple of weeks ago we were catching rain water from the roof because water had been out for a week. We would write their mission statement but it would make you cry. Or, maybe not, maybe you are like us and get a SAIKA that extends ear to ear. We have been here eight months and have yet to receive a correct water bill. Looks like a return is forthcoming!
ON THE SAIKA SCALE…UTILITIES: 10 +
If you come to Zambia bring a sense of humor…you will need it!!!
Just some fun stuff to make you chuckle. Til' next time, keep SAIKAing!
Mo and Theo
If you come to Zambia be sure to bring your SAIKA (Say-cah); tribal word meaning SMILE.
1) Standing in the bank teller line the other day the power popped on and off about three times before Ted reached the woman at the teller window. He was requesting a withdrawal and the teller mentioned that the bank was experiencing some power problems. She was unable to access our account on computer so, very politely, she asks, “Do you have funds in your account?” “Uh, yes, there should be,” replied Ted. “Thank you,” she says while handing him the kwacha (money).
ON THE SAIKA SCALE: 7
If you come to Zambia bring your VISA, other cards not accepted.
2) It is nearly impossible to figure out a person’s age here. So much an issue that CRS Orphan and Vulnerable Children have a blitz going on for parents and guardians to complete birth certificates. It is a serious issue but when an adult is asked “How old are you” the conversation can be down right comical…
“How old are you?”
“Pardon?” (squirming begins to set in)
“You know, your age, what is your age?”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“My age?”
“Yes.”
“Today?”
“Sure.”
“Oh…well, just let me… Hmm, my mother and father…Me?
“Yes”
“Today?
“Please.”
“Ohhhh-kay… I was born Two, Zero, Zero, One.”
“You have three kids, that is impossible!!"
ON THE SAIKA SCALE: 8
If you come to Zambia bring your birth certificate.
3) Walking home the other day a huge truck pulling a trailer with a full load is rolling down the road. In the states, when a truck this big is on the road there is a sign on the front and back that reads WIDE LOAD. Here the signs read, ABNORMAL. As the truck passes by the ABNORMAL sign on the back is half on the truck and half dragging on the road...
SAIKA SCALE: 9
If you come to Zambia just expect some things to be ABNORMAL.
4) We bought our first mirror recently! A compliment in Zambia is if someone remarks, “Oh Ted (or Mona) you are looking very FAT!” If that comment (compliment??) doesn’t make you rush out and buy a mirror nothing will. In Solwezi a mirror comes with no frame or mounting hardware it is just a piece of glass that you hammer to the wall. Both of us have received the FAT compliment so we were scrambling for mirror space.
FAT RESULTS: It is better to be fat and healthy in Zambia than thin and sick.
SAIKA SCALE: 10
If you come to Zambia leave the scale at home.
5) Nothing compares to the experiences with utility companies in a developing country. If you come, you can bank that long standing relationships will form between communication, electric, and water companies.
a) Returned to Zamtel (govt communications) for an internet update, it had been down for some time. Employees were told by management to ask for user id and password and to fax information to head office in Lusaka. (Sounds crazy but we don’t have time or space to go there…). Return next day to inquire about fax and was told that the fax finally went through but that there was another problem. The fax number was to US Embassy in Lusaka. With perplexed look Ted asks, “Hmm, and, now you are doing what?” “Nothing, as yet, we don’t know our fax number…”
b) Living without television has been okay but sometimes we crave to see a movie. Lusaka has a theater and over the Christmas holiday we were very much looking forward to the cinema. Popcorn, Kit-Kats, in hand, we were happy campers! Two-thirds through Narnia and “boom” complete darkness. There was a collective sigh by the entire audience and together they shouted, Ah, Zesco (govt electric). No emergency lights in theater, people used the “green glow” from cell phones to exit the building.
c) “Return to Water Department,” is a statement in our everyday vocabulary. Last October alone: 17 visits. A couple of weeks ago we were catching rain water from the roof because water had been out for a week. We would write their mission statement but it would make you cry. Or, maybe not, maybe you are like us and get a SAIKA that extends ear to ear. We have been here eight months and have yet to receive a correct water bill. Looks like a return is forthcoming!
ON THE SAIKA SCALE…UTILITIES: 10 +
If you come to Zambia bring a sense of humor…you will need it!!!
Just some fun stuff to make you chuckle. Til' next time, keep SAIKAing!
Mo and Theo
posted by Ted and Mona in Africa at 10:30 AM
1 Comments:
Mo and Theo, (such simple yet elegant names)
Must admit that I can just see the amused expressions on both of your faces during these hilarious situations. Funny thing is to think how totally frustrating those exact same situations would be around here. Mmmmmm....I think there is yet another message and lesson for all of us here to learn from your experience-------we have it pretty easy, so we need to approach things as they obviously do, with trust, patience and humor--- just go with it.
Keep on sharing with us and teaching us.
Again, sent with a hug and a prayer, ( and of course a big saika)
Libby
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