Carnivale

I'm in Chipata again, for our provincial meeting. Which consisted of a meeting, movies, and a carnival. The party was, shall we say, ridiculous. But that was great - we all know i love a good theme party. Also I feel rejuvenated from being around all the volunteers. I got to hear everyone's good stories, bad stories, complaints, frustrations, and it's nice to talk about all that stuff. Although I'm sick, so I haven't been at top-form, but things are still nice right now.

I'm not entirely sure what to write about this time. things in the village have been mostly the same. I've been attempting some "trail running" on days when I feel ok. I don't like running on the "road" because there are so many people, and running is just not something that happens here. So I have found some paths through the fields. Usually when I'm out people wave or yell at me, and the women usually laugh. The crazy white girl running, in pants, and actual shoes, in the heat of the afternoon, is a pretty crazy sight. Sometimes kids follow me, which I hate, since running is a good alone time with your brain (because I don't have enough alone time with my brain.) The other day i came home, and annoying iwes (kids) were in my yard, and i wanted to do my stretches. They thought it was hilarious - particularly the jumping jacks!

My neighbor came over to teach me how to make nsima. That's the thick cornmeal porridge that you use to pick up food. They eat it at least twice a day here, and don't think a meal is complete without it. They are all mystified at the fact that I don't eat it very often. So I showed her how I make cabbage (by dumping it in a wok with curry powder and pepper) and she said "ah, but us, we like too much salt."

I've read a lot more books: Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously by Julie Powell, The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton, The Language Instinct by Steven Pinker, The Polysyllabic Spree by Nick Hornby, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon, You Suck: A Love Story by Christopher Moore