Fun Facts about Zimbabwe, Palm Sunday and Pot Holes, HZT Site

Happy "Palm" Sunday! We love our Sunday walks along the beautiful Harare streets.

           Happy Palm Sunday        Reassuring "Danger" sign, Do NOT touch! (2023.04.02)

Sunday morning walk before General Conference. There are beautiful succulents and even a poinsettia tree in April. We love seeing the palms and cacti. 2023.04.02

 30 Unique things we are learning in Zimbabwe:

1.  Traffic lights are "robots", few and far between, but they seldom work due to no power.
2.  Cars/trucks just make their own lanes, and the "nose goes"; the rule is to try not to be hit or hit anyone!
3. It's scary driving at night because the black Africans are so black and wear dark clothes; we appreciate it when they wear reflectors. 
4. The people walk everywhere to get the bus or minivan drivers (drive crazy); they make their own lanes and pack 20-30 people in them.
5. It's classic to see children or workers pack into the back of an open truck bed. Totally illegal in the States! They also cram as many people as possible in a car, with seatbelts not required.
6. Potholes are the size of rhinos; they seldom repair them, so 4-wheel drives are a must.
7. Drive on the left side of the road and the driver is on the right seat of the car; everything's opposite.
8. African women carry large heavy objects on their heads while walking.
9. The black Africans have beautiful straight white teeth, with no orthodontia!
10. People are so friendly, happy, and very polite; anyone will talk to you. If you say "Good morning" they'll reply back and ask how are you? "Mamuka sei", "Tamuka mamukawo"
11. There are tons of fruit and vegetable stands along the road; also peanuts and penny candy.
12. People cross the road anywhere during lots of traffic and street vendors are sometimes in the middle of the road. Watch out not to hit someone!
13. I continue to be called "madam" and Bruce gets called "boss", at first we thought they knew his name due to the accent.
14. The Apostolics can chant and pray all night!
15. We have big flat-wall spiders that are supposed to be good and eat other bugs but not jump on you.
16. Be careful not to dry your underwear outside or leave it damp. There's a fly that can lay maggots!
17. "Zesa" our electricity only comes on from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. so baking with the oven has to be a midnight event. We do have power for a microwave or crockpot, however.
18. Prayer is very common before they start work with their teams.
19. African sunsets are beautiful; the rain doesn't last long and keeps things green. Although we missed the rainy season, Dec.-Feb.
20. The moon in the southern hemisphere has a "rabbit" not a "man in the moon."
21. Some of the happiest, friendliest people alive do not have material possessions or financial means.
22. The women bundle wrap their babies/toddlers on their backs with a towel to carry them.
23. The children's schools are either based on religion or language. All the school children wear standard uniforms.
24. We find many workers have some sort of "side hustle" to make more money; such as selling soaps or deodorants or food to other workers.
25. The "bond" money here is 1,500.00 to $1.00 USD; it continues to sadly decline.
26. The poorer rural areas don't have a good system for garbage disposal; lots of litter, unfortunately.
27. Water is needed and the church is contributing many boreholes for local water wells.
28. If you need surgery; don't forget to bring your own diesel fuel for the generator in case the power goes out!
29. The people love Jesus and the Bible; they are ready for more light and knowledge.
30. Africa is the fastest-growing country for new converts to the church of Jesus Christ of LDS.
    

    Our roads are in the nicer area of town! Potholes!  The HZT site workers read the Book of Mormon and wanted more knowledge and information from us during their lunch break. Isn't it cool to see them reading the Book of Mormon during their break?  Sidney, a non-member listened to Pres. Nelson's General Conference talk and was so impressed. He loved his message of avoiding contention. He asked for missionary lessons.  2023.04.  Sudsa, corn meal mash, a staple food for the worker's lunch meal served with cooked vegetables and chicken, 2023.04.04. The HZT site workers put in long 10-hour days; the construction companies are required to feed them lunch on site. We decided to hand out the "Plan of Salvation" church pamphlet for a Happy Easter to the temple site workers. Mokorokoto!!!

I'm taking lots of photos of the workers on the HZT (Harare, Zimbabwe Temple) site. We post them on a bulletin board and they can come to ask for copies. The workers love to have their photo taken and Bruce says, I am in my element with a camera in hand!

We loved listening to General Conference and the amazing messages from our leaders and prophet. We were able to hear the Saturday and Sunday morning sessions at 6:00 p.m. broadcast here.

2nd week of golf lessons, my swing is improving! 2023.04.04