Day 21

Day 21 - Overcast and rainy.

We had arranged to help out at a holiday child-minding service called 'Fun Club' just around the corner for where we are staying.  We weren't sure what was expected of us; all we knew was that it would go from 9am to 12pm.  Andrew and Jonno went along to help out while I was called away to help with a bus that had broken down again.

While Andrew and Jonno had fun at Fun Club playing games with all of the younger kids; I failed to fix a bus, dropped one of the little ones to hospital and sat around waiting for a mechanic to tow the bus the to workshop.

After a crazy morning, we headed out to Willow Park for the afternoon.  It rained for most of the time we were there and so we were stuck inside.  As there wasn't a lot to do, we setup the christmas decorations that we had brought over with us.

I learnt a lot about Zimbabwe today while waiting for the mechanic:

• It only costs R5 for an ET (Emergency Taxi), and USD1 to go as far a Willow Park which is 30Km from town (USD1 also happens to be the same price as two lollypops),
• Boarding, and leaving, an ET requires you to run along side the van/bus while it is in motion because they never stop,
• The cops pull out their fine book to make it 'look' like they are issuing a ticket,
• Breaking down in Zimbabwe is not as bad as breaking down at home as there are lollies, bananas and phone credit just 10m up the road to keep you preoccupied while you wait for a mechanic
• The best time to drive on the highway is during torrential rain because the police don't man the road-blocks during such weather, and
• There is minimal drainage in Zimbabwe, meaning that roads flood REALLY quickly

Please pray for Lube as she is really quite sick at the moment and currently in hospital.

Alex

P.S. Photo's to come!