To be a HIFA Amigo, or not to be a HIFA Amigo, that is the question

Taught my student from Azerbaijan this morning and then headed over to Queen of Hearts Coffee Shop. Whilst waiting for a friend I perused the HIFA (Harare International Festival of the Arts) programme and tried to decide what I'm going to see this year. Some of the shows are a little pricey at US$20 a shot. It works out that I only would get a $58 discount which does not cover the cost of an amigo card. The access to the Greenroom is tempting though. Need to budget.

Then had coffee with my Friend Lucy and we planned a little for another friend's upcoming hen party. I am not the most organised person - looking forward to the arrival of my partner in crime, the other bridesmaid as she is very on top of things. My friend gets married next weekend so next week will be busy.

Had lunch with another friend and compared HIFA bookings and I got some editing work from her. Then trundled off to pay ZESA - they still don't have any more prepaid metres which would make a world of difference. Then taught my Grade 7 student who has just returned from a family wedding in Pakistan. Got her to write about it and learnt a bit on traditions.

For the job in England I need to get police clearance, but I seem to have lost my paper ID. Went all the way to Rudd Street, where I originally had my ID processed, on the hopes that my metal disc might be there miraculously. Unfortunately the miraculous didn't happen or they didn't look very hard and I was told I needed to go to Market Square - well that pretty much means it's a lost cause. I think I'm going to have to get my ID done all over again. Just got to decide where and when and how much time I can sit and wait out the queue and procedure. Have heard Goromonzi isn't bad. Ho hum.

Liked these two quotes below.

"In many shamanic societies, if you came to a shaman or medicine person complaining of being disheartened, dispirited, or depressed, they would ask one of four questions:

1. When did you stop dancing?

2. When did you stop singing?

3. When did you stop being enchanted by stories?

4. When did you stop finding comfort in the sweet territory of silence?

Where we have stopped dancing, singing, being enchanted by stories, or finding comfort in silence is where we have experienced the loss of soul.

Dancing, singing, storytelling, and silence are the four universal healing salves."

~ The Four-Fold Way: Walking the Paths of the Warrior, Healer, Teacher and Visionar