Cars, cars, cars

I once came across a blog entry describing the 50 steps required to obtain a Zambian Driver’s License. They weren’t kidding!  When I first read the blog entry, it struck a funny bone because I knew that it was quite possible that such a straightforward, mundane activity could become such a huge ordeal in Africa.  I realize that for a Zambian with all the time in the world, this might not be such an unusual process.  However, for someone who is busy, has a full time job, and is so dependent upon others to get anything accomplished while getting settled in a foreign land, it has turned out to be an incredibly frustrating and bewildering process.  From going to get our health exam, then going to one RTSA (Road Transport and Safety Agency) office, standing in lines, being told to go to another window, then standing in more lines, then going to another office…to being told that we need one form or another document or that we are too late for the practical driving test and that we need to return tomorrow…it has been quite the ordeal.  There are never clear instructions as to what steps need to be done in what order, what offices need what documents, how much to pay when or what the rules of the game are.  We actually had the assistance of a local who guided us through the whole process, but even then it was difficult.  And it wasn’t free.  Imagine if we had attempted to undergo this process alone!  I don’t think we would have survived. 

Nonetheless, we were able to jump the final hurdle this week.  Both Paul and I underwent our practical driving test under the scrutiny of the RTSA examiner.  One tip that was given to me just before we started off was, “Don’t cross your hands on the steering wheel while making a turn.”  It is a strange rule they have here in Zambia, but I succeeded in driving like a granny during those short 7 minutes on the streets of Lusaka.  It’s quite awkward…harder than it seems (you should try it sometime!).  After all was said and done, Paul and I both got a “Pass!”  =)  We even obtained our Temporary License, so in 2 weeks we should have the actual License in our hot little hands. 

Timing has been good, since we were told that our new car had arrived at the dealership this week (we had ordered it 2 months ago, but it had to be built in South Africa).  So just after our driver’s test, we were able to go to the local Toyota dealership and pick up the vehicle.  To tell you the truth, it nearly emptied out our U.S. bank account.  But since our commitment here is for 6 years, we wanted to have a reliable, sturdy vehicle suited for the African terrain which would also have a good resale value.  She is a beauty.  We look forward to many trips and adventures exploring Southern Africa in this strong but sleek 4x4.  

Hakuna Matata

After two days of traveling, we have finally arrived back home in Zambia.  It still feels a bit awkward to call Lusaka “home,” but it really does feel nice to be home.  Our week in Zanzibar, a beautiful island off of Tanzania, was both refreshing and therapeutic.  After 4 months of battling major stressors like picking up and moving to a different country as well as encountering countless frustrations in struggling to understand a culture opposite from one’s own, we decided we needed a quick get-away to relax and calm our minds.  And this was quite the get-away.
We stayed at a beautiful hotel sitting along the northern coast of the island (Nungwi).   

The white sand beaches and crashing waves created an idyllic scene as we soaked in the infinity pool, relaxed beneath the umbrellas, and ate breakfast from the beachfront restaurant overlooking the Indian Ocean.  

With 98% of the population being Muslim, most people dressed their part in conservative yet colorful clothing despite the sunny beach atmosphere.  

The sing-song chants of the frequent prayers were heard throughout the day.  The locals spoke Swahili, so the common phrases “Jambo” (hello) and “Hakuna Matata” (no worries) were often flung our way.  Tourism, fishing, and spice farming seem to be major industries on the island, and the women would daily walk to the shore with big buckets, hoping the fishermen would come back from a good catch with thousands of tiny silver fish.  When the tide was out, the women would wade into the water with their full garb.  

Children would play their part in helping contribute to the daily earnings. 

Stonetown was an interesting place, with a lively mixture of outdoor markets, mosques, artwork, and shops.  

We saw many different shapes and designs for doors.  Many had spikes protruding from them, which were intended to thwart off elephants.

The narrow roads were frequented by bicycles and scooters zooming past the pedestrians.  

Although Zanzibar is mostly Muslim, it’s a very peaceful place, and the Christian church seemed to coexist just fine next to the mosque.

The highlight of our trip was the opportunity we had to learn to SCUBA dive.  We ventured out into the hotel pool, then out into the open sea to learn the basics of diving down to the depth of 50 feet.  What a thrill it was to learn to breathe underwater, to feel weightless and neutrally buoyant in the Indian Ocean, and to admire the whole new world of sea vegetation and God’s wonderful ocean creatures on our exhilarating open water dives.  Now that we’re PADI-certified for open water diving, we hope to get more opportunities to explore the underwater world throughout the world.  Hopefully by then we’ll have an underwater camera.

Another highlight was meeting Conchester, a local masseuse, who induldged us with an hour long massage session each day for 4 consecutive days.  I also enjoyed reading some books from the Reading Room.  We certainly got our R&R this holiday season.  

Now back to reality.

December update

The last few weeks have been a blur of activity.  Here’s are a few snippets of what our lives have been like in the last 2 weeks:

1.    I’ve had some variety of viral sickness that has migrated from one part of the body to another – causing a sore throat, generalized malaise, then a runny nose (but, strangely, only the right nostril), then a congested eustachian tube (I’ve suffered from decreased hearing out of the right ear for the last two weeks), a week of loose stool, back to a sore throat, then nasal congestion.  I’m almost back to normal, but I still can’t hear properly! 

2.   My role has changed suddenly and dramatically at the Lusaka Eye Hospital.  As of November 29^th, I’ve officially been named the Medical Director and Administrator of the Lusaka Eye Hospital.  This has meant that all of a sudden I am in the position to make important decisions for the running of the institution and managing the 42 employees on payroll.  Although I feel inadequate for this position, I know it is not by chance that all of these changes have occurred.  I just hope and pray that I will be able to help lead this hospital in the right direction (and hopefully out of the red). 

3.   Dr. Mumba has left Lusaka Eye Hospital for greener pastures.  He’s served as the ophthalmologist here for the past 3 years, and we appreciated his years of service.  We bid farewell to him with a simple party and cake.

 

4.   LEH’s 10^th Anniversary.  November 2011 marked the 10^th anniversary of the Hospital’s birth.  We had a celebration and ceremony, characterized by a PA system that wasn’t functioning properly, a tacky blue and white tent, and many awkward moments on stage.  Nonetheless, it was a happy occasion to celebrate the decade of eye care service this hospital has contributed to the people of Zambia.

5.   By virtue of my appointment to a position of leadership at my Eye Hospital, I was at the last minute invited to attend Zambia’s National Prevention of Blindness Committee Strategic Planning meeting.  So for three full days I sat in meetings with about 10 ophthalmologists (mind you, there are only 22 ophthalmologists in the whole country) visioning, discussing, and planning the strategic national plan for eye care in Zambia for the next 4 years.  It was a blessing to be able to take part in such a committee and to get a better understanding of the “big picture” in terms of eye care for the country. 

6.   Two weeks ago, we had a chance to visit Riverside Farm Institute for the 3^rd time since we arrived in Zambia.  RFI is a self-supporting institution that has a farm, a mill, a school, and a wellness center.  It’s a beautiful area, about 1 hour’s drive from Lusaka, and it’s always nice to hang out and hike with fellow Americans. 

7.   Last week, we had some visitors from the Eastern Province – Dr. Verna Peduche and her husband, Gem, who are missionaries out at Mwami Adventist Hospital.  It was a historic few days, as they were our first set of visitors here in Zambia.  Now that they’ve warmed up the house, we’re now open to more!!!  If anyone wants to visit Zambia, you know where to stay!

8.   We finally bought a car!  For the last 4 months that we’ve been here in Zambia, we’ve had to rely heavily upon others for our mere survival.  Getting to work, coming back to work, going to church, running errands, and buying groceries all involved calling up a driver or begging for a ride.  But as of 2 days ago, we have our own set of wheels!  How liberating it felt to be able to get behind the wheel of a car and drive ourselves to buy groceries!  We even treated ourselves to an Indian restaurant for lunch.  Mind you, the car is old (1996ish Toyota Corolla Saloon), tan, and small, but it will suffice for now.  At least until we get our 4x4 truck. 

9.   We almost fired our helper.  We found that our levels of sugar were being depleted quickly.  Our cooking oil was running low at an abnormally fast rate.  The shampoo we had left in our guest bathroom was newly purchased, but we found that it was almost 1/3 empty.  Our laundry detergent was half empty, and we had only done 2 loads of laundry.  Our dishwashing soap and other floor cleaners were disappearing quickly.  And there were at least 2 rolls of toilet paper missing.  At first, we assumed she was simply being careless and using the supplies without discretion.  But then our suspicions were aroused, and we confronted her.  In fact, we nearly fired her that same day.  But she pleaded for a second chance, so we agreed to keep her on the grounds that she does not take or use any of our supplies or food.  Talking to other locals who have maids, this behavior seems to be the norm rather than the exception.  But what do you do when these lovely people need a job and food so desperately?  We decided to give her a little additional money to purchase food and discourage her from taking our food/supplies.  Hopefully, she has gotten the message and we won't have to fire her after all.  

10. Our garden is slowly growing.  We’ve only eaten spinach from the garden so far, but hopefully the eggplant and other veggies will start to produce soon. 

So that’s it for updates thus far. 

By the way, if anyone feels compelled to send us a Christmas card from the U.S., our address is:

Janie & Paul Yoo

Lusaka Eye Hospital
Post Net Box 674. Private Bag E891
Lusaka. Zambia 10101                 

The mail might take a month or so, but it’ll probably eventually get here.  Unfortunately, we won’t be sending out Christmas cards this year from Zambia. I hope you’ll forgive us! =) 

Happy Holidays!!!