7.05.09 The noodles (from letter to Lauren)

I am not sure if I have mentioned this before so forgive me if I am repeating myself but - I love the kids (or noodles as Lexi has taught me and I use constantly). They are by far one of the things I love about Zambia. I think Carrie (my room mate throughout training) put it best... the kids here look like lost boys from Peter Pan. They run around barefoot, with ragged clothes in groups playing with anything they ca make into a toy. It is quite impressive actually. Old plastic bags and a bit of old string becomes a football, volley ball, cricket ball, or something to throw at smaller kids. Some twine/string, old dried corn rinds, drink cartons, tin cans -- they become make-shift cars of things to push and pull around. Since moving in I have become the newest form of entertainer. While I am walking to market little voices come screaming out of the bushes. "How-ah-you How-ah-are How-ah-you." Noodles just come and sit outside my hut watching me cook, read, wash dishes -- it never gets old. I have become their television program although this tv program smiles back and that sends them into a laughing fit. Their smiles break my heart every time. They really are just too cute to handle. Maybe in a year they will start driving me nuts but for right now Natemwa obewa bingi. I love the noodles! Stevie.