February 28, 2005
Hi There
Just sitting at my computer listening to the Tragically Hip on my computer.
Just got it repaired today after 5 days. Huge electrical storm last week
blew out the modem on my new computer. Quite a storm. Can't remember
hearing thunder that loud. All 3 of my dogs ended up behind the couch in my
house absolutely terrified. Had the computer turned off but the phone line
to the modem was not protected. Only another $370,000Zim to fix!!!
The Rotary function celebrating 100 years of Rotary with the four clubs here
was a huge success. 100 attended. Great food, short speeches and a couple
good video presentations. I provided the background music throughout the
night. Lots of fun.
Well, my vehicle is STILL with the mechanic. Been over a month now. Ended
up being a complete engine rebuild but the way they went about it was
totally crazy, beyond getting mad into the comical. They just fix one
thing, reassemble and see if that works. Even though I told them it was
burning oil and blowing smoke they never checked the rings until the last
and then found the rods below the pistons all bent. Said it was water
getting in on top of pistons. So, new injectors, new head, new rods, new
rings, new gaskets. Should have it back in a few days as the rings are not
available here in the size I need so they re-tooled the piston ring slots to
fit rings they could find and of course it was done wrong the first time.
Vehicles here run from brand new high end (Mercedes, BMW's etc_ to absolute
wrecks. They would not get a block in our country without being pulled
over. No lights, including reflector lights. Engines in such poor shape
that they can not travel close to posted speeds so you are doing 80km into
town and here is a vehicle ahead doing 30. Very hazardous at night as you
can not see them. Often have no hood or missing a door. Dozens of vehicles
every day are being pushed through intersections or off the road because
they will not start, battery dead or just do not have a battery and are push
started each time.
We are into a fuel shortage again. I got lucky yesterday and found fuel so
am good for another week.
When you shop here for food you are often inundated with people outside the
actual store trying to sell you fruit and vegetables. You have not even got
out of your car and they are on top of you. When you come out of the market
they are there again giving it one more try. Sometimes I buy if it looks
really good quality.
I watched the Oscars live last night. It was on at 3:30am so set alarm and
got up and watched until 6:45 this morning. Clint Eastwood and his film
really cleaned up. I enjoyed but it is too damn long. lToo many
commercials!!!
I have sold Walkers Pub/Restaurant back to the original owner/partner of
mind. He informed me that he did not want a partner and wanted it back.
That was OK with me as long as I did not get paid in Zim dollars and that
took a nasty letter to him from my lawyer to get his attention and he has
come into line so I am happy and will actually make some good money on the
deal. Will then buy out my other partner at the lodge and own it outright.
It is the only way here. Partnerships are tough anywhere but just not
advisasble here at all based on the "culture".
I will try and attach some pictures I took of my lodge. They show the front
with the open veranda that is closed in with bars for security. Couple
pictures of the gardens. One of the outside bar/braii area that also has
bars that will open during use. Nice patio in front of it and another brick
patio area under a huge tree (also a picture with the yellow flowers) that
will be a great shade area.
One shows the new addition with the managers suite in it and another shows
part of the back with my maid, Anna, doing a washing. I think a couple of
my dogs are also in the pictures.
Bye for now
Love, Doug
