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June 10, 2005
Amelika!
Ok Shannah, here goes:
Most black Zambians see me and immediately shout Makuwa or Muzungu. From what I have noticed, Muzungu is an Africa-wide word for white, while Makuwa is the Tonga one. It does not mean exclusively white, however, as it can mean rich person or bwana in the same breath. Anyway. Once they find out I am American, the whole gammit comes out. Here are some popular questions:
*Is there poverty in America? (and if you answer yes, no one believes you anyway.)
*When is your country going to stop this war (meaning Iraq)?
*Have you met 50 cent?
*Can you give me money?
*How do you find Zambia?
*Can you eat the food here?
*What is Los Angeles like?
The general feeling I get from most people is that America is great. Basically, it isn't Britain and it isn't South Africa. Both of those places have had a lot more white people here... white people that a lot of Zambians love to hate. Americans are rare (I think there might be under 10 living in my district), so they are a novelty. Plus, US AID is huge. Don't underestimate the power of such things. There is a lot of confusion about why I would want to be here, but people are always really happy that I am. They love it when someone tries to speak their language (even if they only know greetings), and encourage you to bring people here to visit from home. And of course I have at least 4 marriage proposals a day. They all tell me they love me, but I think that there might be more to it :)
Peace
ARV
BY THE WAY, MY ADDRESS IS:
Annie Ringo Vine
PO BOX 630109
Choma
Zambia
Posted by ringo at June 10, 2005 11:01 AM
Comments
Posted by: Bev at June 10, 2005 4:21 PM