Today we spent the majority of the day at Major’s village.  In the morning we ate breakfast with Cathy and then JD, Lauren and I played with some of the neighbor kids.  The little kids took awhile to warm up to us but after simon says/copy game, hopscotch, drawing and tag they started talking and singing. It was fun and interesting finding a way to communicate and play with the children without speaking the same language.  At around 11:30am we got picked up by Major’s son Michael to head to the village.  It was about an hour drive through many villages and beautiful bush. After arriving we went to the local primary school for church.  This was an amazing experience full of song and dance.  They had us sit in the front row and welcomed us with a special clap that we eventually learned during the service.  It was an uplifting, empowering gathering and an amazing way to get a glimpse into the village culture.  Church is also used as a way to gather the community and make announcements to the members.  Members stood up to announce gatherings, Christmas plans and upcoming events.  At the end they had us to do a receiving line and we were able to meet and shake hands with each member.  

After church we went back to the village and got a tour of the many different buildings on his grounds.  The area was beautiful as it was up on a hill where you had a view for miles.  Major and his family own many acres 10 of which they farm for maize, sunflowers (for oil) and beans.  They have a communal building that is typically round made out of brick with a thatch roof.  This is where all the cooking takes place and where they store their dishes and kitchen equipment.  There is a fire area in the middle for cooking and benches around the side where the men eat meals and the women typically sit on the floor.  They also have an outside cooking space that is an open structure which is used in the Summer months to help with the heat.  There was another structure that is used for sleeping and had a small communal living room.  There were 4 small rooms attached where the beds are for the family members to sleep.  The grounds also had the storage area for maize, the maize drying racks, cattle pen, pig barn, shed and other houses for the aunts, uncles and cousins.  We watched the 3 daughters and Aunt prepare lunch in the outdoor kitchen which included Sedza and chicken.  They boiled oil, salt, tomatoes and onions then added the chicken.  It is only for special occasions especially when visitors come that they have protein/chicken.  The meal was delicious!  This was a day of many firsts as it was the first time that we ate the traditional way using our hands and the Sedza like a spoon to dip into the sauce and scoop the chicken.  We also experienced using a blair toilet which is the traditional toilet in Zimbabwe.  It consists of a brick structure with a small hole in the center.  To go to the bathroom you have to squat all the way down in the dark, aim and try not to step in the hole….it is quite an experience.  

After lunch Major told us stories of his trips to America experiencing roller coasters and eating American food.  He loves American food and the first time he came to the states he gained 26 pounds!  We told him that when he visits again he will have to come for dinner and we can cook for him.  After lunch we headed back to Chidamoyo.  We hung out with Cathy at her house and then had dinner which was beef stew with beans, peas, tomatoes and onions with every American’s favorite grilled cheese.  It was a great end to a fun day!  After dinner JD, Lauren and I headed back to our house and were in shock by the stars as it was the first completely clear night since we have been here.  I have never seen so many bright stars, it was truly unbelievable.  It gave us a chance to sit and appreciate this amazing experience and opportunity.