I was sitting at an outdoor cafe yesterday, kind of watching this middle age man and wife seriously discussing something. Finally, he came up to me and addressed me as Pere. (most think I'm a priest since I's white and live at the Catholic guest station. I no longer correct them. I may one day put on a suitable hat and claim to be the Pope). In any case, his question was, if a family wasn't happy with their child's choice of who they wanted to marry, what would I suggest, comming from a Foriegn culture. I told him that in our culture, the young folk pretty well made up their own minds and the families really didn't have much say. I suspect that my answer wasn't very helpful. The 2 were probably from the 2 families involved and when they left, the woman had the kind of rejected look on her face that I have never seen outside of Africa.

Which brings me back to the problem posed by my buddy Jonathan, the night watchman/university student in Kinshasa. He is engaged and the girl's family has drawn up a list of requirements. He showed me the list,, at least 20 items ranging from all sorts of drinks to all sorts of cloths. The final item and the one that has him stumped is the $3000 US that he has to pay. Where in the world will he get that kind of money? I was sitting around with the house help here a few moments ago and one suggested he go find a cheaper wife. Her dad had requested the usual list plus only $800. Jonathan's fiancee is a nurse which increases her value. Anyways, I have 2 weeks to figure out an excuse why I can't give him $3000. Maybe I'll get mugged before them and all moneys stolen. Small chance of that, I can't even properly lose a cell phone.