February 14, 2003

Hello

You have all probably given me up for dead. I am sorry but a combination of things have made it impossible for me to use this computer.

First, Hotmail has been down or sporadic in this country. Second, my provider here,

Econet, has had problems. Third, when I get on it often just stalls and says "this page can not be displayed" and I can not access your messages or get onto the page to send a message. Even this time I have had to re-boot the computer 3 times (at ten minutes each time to shutdown and re-boot!!!) so you can imagine my frustrations.

I have also been travelling a lot and there is the problem of getting into Charle's house to use the computer. He is often away or downtown and the house is locked up when I have time.

Anyway - what have I been doing.

I went to Botswana with a group of Rotarians to another club there two weekends ago. What a trip! We travelled in convoy, 14 of us and had the usual delays at the border. Had to bribe the officials to jump the que as two busloads got there just before us. Then on to Francistown about 100 km inside the border and then another 150km to our host clubs town. Went through three foot and mouth control stations. Not only do you have to disenfect the vehicle and your own shoes, but open your luggage, take out all your spare shoes and disenfect them. Then they want to see you I.D. and it takes up to 30-45 minutes at each stop. Even if you explain that you just went through one 50km back they do not care and you go through the process all over.

But it was worth it as the time we had there was fabulous. Our host club is only 11 members but they sure could make things happen. Went down in a mine shaft 3km and had a day of golfing. All the food was donated and much of the drinks. After the official parties we were hosted at Rotarian's homes and the after party started. Did not get to bed before 3am both nights. These people know how to party. They all drive LandCruisers, Mercedes, BMW's which shows you the prosperity of this country compared to Zim. No ques, all the petrol and food you could think of. What a difference. I shopped on the way back and brought back 75kg of Mealie Meal plus lots of staples for the house that are not available in Zim.

Then I went up to Victoria Falls the next Thursday-Sunday. Had not been there since Carol, the Scobies and I went in 1997. Had a great weekend and stayed at a new hotel / casino right next to the Victoria Falls Hotel. Cost was $25.00 US per night for a five star hotel. But they sure knew how to charge for drinks and food inside. Luckily I hit it big in the casino at Black Jack and paid for a large part of the trip and a lucky streak. Bet the maximum ($10,000 Zim - about $10.00US) on each hand and only lost 4 hands out of dozens so made a lot of money. We helicopter riding, jet boating, sunset cruises and shopped till I dropped. Bought a lot of CD's and cassettes of local music and clothes.

Then I have been out to my No. 1 school at Silozwe and stayed a few days. Threw a big party for all the teachers at the primary and secondary school one night. Huge braii with beef steak, chickens (killed on the spot!) pork. Rice, potatoe salad, tomatoes, onions and lots of cold drinks. You would have thought I had given them the world as they appreciated it so much. Set up the CD player and we danced outdoors till midnight. It was the day before Valentines so they all considered it there Valentines present.

They have just hired a agricultural teacher to work the garden where I put a drip irrigation system in last year and are just finishing a seven strand fence around about 100 acres to raise milk and beef cows as part of the program. Met a lot of villagers who know me so well now and we had great times together. The children are so wonderful and I spend hours with them.

Went out for Valentines dinner last night. Huge cost! $15.00 for a complete 4 course dinner for two including drinks. Valentines is a big event here - I can not believe how important it is to the ladies to be acknowledge by their boyfriends / husbands. The flower business in the market was booming. Downtown was packed with cars and

shoppers.

We had two cool days last week but other than that; no rain and "hotter than a snakes ass in a wagon rut" This is not the time to come to Zim as a tourist. I am thankful the Rotary Volunteers did not come at this time of the year as it is almost unbearable and difficult to function. I now know why these people work at a slow pace. You can't do otherwise.

My house and yard are really looking good as my night guard turns out to be a good gardener as well and he has trimmed all the hedges and plants and has planted a vegetable garden. He works from 6pm till 6am as a guard, sleeps till 2pm and then gardens till he is on guard duty again. We have had no incidents except for a couple children from next door who snuck in and stole my gardeners two hats and 3 photos I had taken of Peter and given him. He sleeps in a shed out back which I am embarassed about as it is very basic but he thinks it is a castle.

I have joined a club here called Queens Sport Club. Great place to go for lunch and wonderful comradery with the locals. Cheap food and drinks. My combi (vehicle) continues to purr with no problelm. I have solved my problem of getting diesel with a Rotary friend who runs a coal yard and has huge tanks of fuel for his trucks and priority in getting the fuel because he serves the local industry. I just drive out to his coal yard, fuel up and pay them on the spot. So no more ques for fuel!!Yahoo!!!

The club is going well and I will spend today (saturday) and tomorrow out there. I do the shopping for supplies on Thursday and that gets us through the weekend most times. I have finally convinced Charles that we need higher levels of inventory. He did the shopping when I was in Vic Falls and cut back from the levels I had given him and ran out and had to scramble back into town and find more braii paks last Saturday.

Well, Charles just arrived so I will sign off and talk with him.

Love to you all

Doug