Dust to Dust

Ashes to ashes. Why am I quoting scripture? It amazes me how in Zambia people make a life out of absolutely nothing. Even the earth which they grow food from is like dust. They don’t need to rent a storefront in a mall, they set up a little shack on the corner of their property and sell various things. They don’t need a set up a garage, they just lay their tools and spare tire parts along the side of the road and take a nap till a customer shows up. Heck they don’t even need petrol stations!

When I first arrived in Zambia one of first things that struck me were the sheer number of people milling around doing seemingly nothing. Sitting by the side of the road, taking a nap under a tree, just sitting around chatting. Seemed the whole country was just hanging around waiting for something to happen. Well I know a bit of what they are up to now. Some people are waiting at mini-bus stops which are only marked by the fact that the bus happens to stop there. Others are petrol stations. They have drums of gasoline in their place, and they bring some jugs out and sit on a bench by the side of the road and offer their services to any passing cars.

Incidentally this contributes to the incredible number of fires in Zambia, which is another of those first things that struck me. With the country as full of that dry grass as it is I am surprised the fires ever stop. Some are started by personal petrol station accidents, some are good old slash and burn farming, maybe some were set by a mob of people trying to burn down a witches or, in keeping with the Christianization of the country, a Satanists house. Others were just set to chase all the rats, mice, rabbits and other critters out of the area so they can be caught for food. Life from nothing. Dust to dust.