Culture

On Independence Day, October 24, there was a cultural celebration along with the market where we bought fun stuff.  There are some of the performers.  These are traditional clothes and dancers.  We don't see people dressed like this on the street everyday. 

The African people are very happy and warm.  Most of very happy to have their pictures taken--especially the men.  Some of the women are a little more shy and sometimes even tell us 'no' when we ask if we can take their picture. 

This vendor is selling this xylophone type instrument.  It has a mellow sound and is very African sounding!

We went to Kawbata one afternoon for their cultural presentation.  There was a market associated with it and we did a little shopping.  The main attraction was a skit they put on in their native language about literacy, AIDS and family stability.  We had several very nice people come to translate the skit for us.  It was a little long, but it makes us happy that the country is trying to get the message out to it's people that improvement are needed to make them a happier and healthier people.
Then there was a presentation of African traditional dancers We are not sure what the message was of that, but as they were dancing, this young man came right up to us and started dancing.  He was not shy about us taking pictures at all! Another dancer came to draw LaNice into the dance, and she danced with him for about 5 seconds and then sat down.  

A shot of the market and the way they display their cloth goods. 

The day before the country-wide Day of Prayer, there was another celebration at the show grounds by Manda Hill Mall.  We decided to walk down, and it was a bit farther than we had expected.  There again was a market selling items and then performances.  We were too late to see the dancing, but some of the performers were resting in the shade and allowed a photo. 

The eyes got my attention   

We did not purchase the mask, but we did buy the two pictures below.  This young man made these pictures.  One was from sawdust of different woods (the round one) and the other was made from elephant grass and banana leaves.  They both hang in our flat. 

Again, we didn't buy the mask, but did get the shells with the intricate painting on them. 

The woven baskets and the painted wooden bowls are plentiful and beautiful.

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These round gourds have seeds in them and make a beautiful rattle when rolled. 

Chaimanuka Animal Park

One P-Day we decided to go with Elders Ketchum and Brewerton out to the game reserve of Chaimanuka.  It was a beautiful resort-like establishment, completed with restaurant, individual small lodges to rent, and a swimming pool.  It was really beautiful and looked like a golf course, it was so well kept.

The first thing we did was to walk with the cheetahs.  It was an amazing experience and we learned so much about them.  For example, they are the only animal that sees in color and so it is not a nocturnal animal.  They are, of course, the fastest animal on earth.  The black markings on their face that run down from their eyes serve as light reflectors so the light doesn't bother their eyes so much.

Anyway, these two were very friendly.  We learned that we shouldn't approach them from the front, but from the back and that we shouldn't touch their ears.  They love to have their tails and heads petted.

We got to pet them for awhile and then we took them for a walk.  It was just like walking a dog.  They were very obedient and friendly.   Alan was crouched in front of them taking a picture when one of them started to advance on him a bit.  The trainer instantly pulled him back, but said the cheetah was not being aggressive, but simply wanted to lick his head!  Then the trainer showed us, and, sure enough, the cheetah started licking his head.  The trainer said it sort of feels like his hair is getting brushed. 

                                                                                       This one is licking LaNice's hand.  His tongue is very rough and feels sort of like sandpaper.  But it still sort of tickled.  It was an awesome experience. 

Then we loaded in a 4-wheel drive and went out into the park.  It was pretty amazing.  It's a smaller park, but we saw so many animals.  This is an Eland (I think) which is the largest in the antelope family.

We saw may Puku, Impala and Kudu.  These seem to be the most plentiful of all the animals in the park, which isn't too surprising since there are no predators (lions, etc.) that are allowed to run loose on the grounds. 

These are warthogs just chillin' under the tree.  There were so many of them, and there were even some babies.  When they run, their little tails stick up in the air.  They looked like little piggies chasing after their moms.  So cute!

They are included in a group of African animals called "The Ugly Five" for an obvious reason. 

There was only one elephant in the park and we were lucky enough to see her.  Her partner and baby had recently died and they said she wasn't a very happy elephant.  They are looking for more elephants to bring to the park.

We only saw one giraffe and were told this one is really old and has sort of been sent away from the herd.  That's why we were able to see him.  I sure hope our kids don't do that to us when we get old!

I was a little surprised to see ostrich here, but there were several of them.  We learned that people really can ride these birds, just like they did in Swiss Family Robinson!

We saw a number of zebra and learned that, unlike Swiss Family Robinson, they have very weak backs and are not used for riding.  

This tree is growing atop a large ant hill.  These hills get very big and are hard.  They are sort of like termites.  The eat the dead wood from the tree which in turn makes the soil more fertile for the tree.

  This is a small village we passed on the way to the park.  It's a quaint little place.

Sister Groesbecks Birthday

Having a birthday while on a mission is an interesting experience.  People try to make it special, but it's not easy since we really don't each other very well and it's just a regular work day.  Sister Erickson bought sweet rolls and then had to leave.  So LaNice enjoyed the goodies with the missionaries.  They didn't mind sharing.

 

While we were shopping, Alan picked out a beautiful bouquet of peach colored roses and we took them home for our table.  They were beautiful. The green feather and bow and card say Happy Independence Day, because Zambia's Independence Day is October 24.

In honor of Independence day, Arcades Mall set up a market and we stopped.  It was really fun. We bought things we had been looking for for the flat and for the grandkids.  Then LaNice found a booth that had African print dresses.  She tried one on and the lady showed us how to make a turbin head gear.  Somehow it just didn't look on her like it looks on the beautiful African women.  We bought the dress (about $10) and it was fun to take home and wear later.  Overall, it was a pretty fun day!

Kalimba Reptile Farm

The zone planned an activity for everyone to travel to the reptile farm for a Monday activity.  Arrangements were made for vehicles and we ended up going with Elder and Sister Bodily in the mission van.  There were about 12 of us in the van.  It was a pretty ride and the roads were paved part of the way. The rest of the way it was sand and potholes.  But it was still a pretty drive.

We got to the farm and found it to be a very beautiful place.  There were groomed lawns and pretty little pavilions. And the Jackaranda Trees were still in bloom there. 

This little critter was on the wall of the entrance and was made out of metal.  He was pretty cute!

And at the reptile farm there were.......reptiles!  Some cute and some not so.  This was a granddaddy croc just lounging in the sun. 

We felt like this guy was watching us very carefully....maybe thinking, Lunch?

This python was the hit of the party.  Everyone (but LaNice) wanted to hold and get real personal. He weighed about 35 pounds and was 7 feet long. Not a real cuddly pet!

 

This tortoise came in second for famous.  He was heavy and was getting a little tired of people holding him and started to squirm and kick his clawed legs.

Really this chameleon was everyone's favorite.  He was very friendly and didn't mind at all the everyone wanted to hold and play with him.  He was out with the missionaries the whole time we were there and was still just happy as a clam.  His eyes move forward and backwards and it was a little strange to watch him do that.  He didn't really change color too much while we had him. 

A bird in a tree.  Nice silhouette against the sky. 

Maribou Stork--one of the 5 uglies of Africa.  And they are not very pretty birds!

There a six crocs on the shore and white birds in the trees.  Can you see them? 

Another croc just enjoying his swim!

Some of the crocs end up like this--as croc burgers.  There were actually very tasty. 

As a souvenir we got a croc cookbook.  The recipes sounded interesting.  We even bought some crock meat to take home to try out the recipes!