'Tis the Season to Mendigar??

I remember my boss telling me last year that a couple of garbage collectors knocked on his door around Christmas time last year to "say Merry Christmas" and basically ask for money.  I thought it was an isolated incident.  I was here last Christmas too, but I didn't experience any of that.

So last week when I saw one of the newspaper delivery guys, (hired by the newspaper) to leave newspapers at the gates of housing compounds throughout the city, being escorted by the watchman to all of my neighbors' homes...I was a bit taken aback.  Dear Hubby gave the delivery man money and I really had a problem with it. 

Yesterday as we stopped to pay the toll on the road toward the airport, the public employee at the toll booth reminded my husband that it is Christmas (although it wasn't because yesterday was December 30th) because he wanted money.  And of course, my husband gave him extra. 

I think it is pretty bold and inappropriate to walk around demanding extra money from people that you serve [as part of your paid employment] because it is Christmas time. 

Today, during our short outing with the kiddoes, we were asked by 3 or 4 different people for money.  People that I don't think are typically begging for money any other time of the year - but perhaps, feel like 'tis the season for people to open their pockets/purses. 

And to this, I say the problem is a reflection of the temporary feeling by many in the greater society (both here in the DR and in my own beloved country) of generosity, compassion, love, and kindness that surfaces in December and retreats in January. It is true that no false sense of entitlement to other people's money is acceptable,
but it is also true that there are people in need 365 days a year and

it is definitely true that there are "invisible" people such as garbage collectors, newspaper delivery guys, and street sweepers that help make our lives comfortable and earn very little who rarely experience an expression of gratitude.

And so, I am grateful for the reminder to show appreciation to all those "invisible" people that contribute to my quality of life throughout the year.








Y

We're Going to ZAMBIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And I was sooooooooooooooo excited!!!  But the reality of what that means hit me and although I'm still excited, the excitement has been tempered a bit as I begin to plan for the impending move, answer questionnaires that will influence our living conditions for 4 years, and research everything from schools to right-hand drive vehicles to using 220v electronics.

The impending move is 6-7 months away, but from what I've read and heard about Lusaka, Zambia I feel very fortunate that our family will move there. 

Based on what I've learned about our future home so far, I'm looking forward to:

• Weather that is a bit more variable than the Dominican  Republic's since hot weather is not exactly my cup of tea.  The average highs in Lusaka from January - August range from 73 - 79 degrees and the average lows range from 48 to 53 degrees and the hottest month is October with average highs of 88 degrees.
• Being able to walk outside without being overly concerned about violent crime.  As in all places in the world, crime exists but to my knowledge the threat level is nowhere near that experienced here in Santo Domingo.
• Living in a different kind of city.  I currently live in a very big city and all the ugliness that comes with that, including heavy traffic, high crime rates, and about as much hustle and bustle as exists in the DC metro area.  One perk of living overseas for me has always been living in an environment with a slower pace.  Apparently Lusaka is a capital city without all the big city advantages and disadvantages.
• Shopping for produce at markets and not U.S.-style grocery stores and buying fresh organic veggies from Sugar Bush farm!!!!  One of the greatest disappointments about Santo Domingo was the fact that outdoor markets are barely in existence here.  The one market that some Dominicans go to has vendors with attitudes that don't want to bargain at all and prices that are higher than the supermarkets. 
• Wildlife!  [I hope] We'll see lions, hippos, gazelles, elephants, rhinos, and zebras that aren't in zoos while we're there.  
• Victoria Falls - one of the Seven Wonders of the World, of course.