Out on the street

So, I’ m a little frustrated this weekend because it looks like I’ll have to find a new place to live. Richard and Andrea and I had been putting off the rent discussion, and when we finally had it, my views and theirs, well…diverged. They wanted me to pay 1.8 million Kwatcha, about half of their monthly expenses. Given that I can get a flat to myself for less than a million, or a guest house for 350 thousand, it’s just a lot more than I want to pay… so it looks like I’m going to be a Zambian nomad for a few weeks until I find something permanent. I plan to first move into a hostel right near work and then find long term accommodations. Sad—I’m really going to miss Evelyn! (And Richard and Andrea, who are incredibly nice, despite de facto kicking me out). On Friday, Toko and her boyfriend take me out for drinks to make me feel better, and he hilariously and belligerently fends off any guy who so much as wants to talk to me. I’m the only Msungu (white person) in the bar, so I seem to catch quite a few eyes. As soon as they say hello he’s all “What’s your problem, man? Why are you bothering her?” At one point, he tells someone, “She’s with me, go away.” The poor guy points to Toko and asks, “Isn’t she with you?” To which Alberto responds, “They’re both with me. Find your own.” Later, he switches to, “Leave her alone, she has a fiancé. What’s wrong with you, man, that’s somebody’s woman!” Alberto is a little sensitive to this issue, as dear Toko was unfaithful only a few months prior, and they’re only now patching up their relationship. The club plays mostly South African music with a few American hits tossed in. I have a great time, and it’s a sorely needed night out after 2 weeks of working non-stop.