Auto Repair, Zambian Style

Out our study window we saw this drama begin to unfold. Because the engine is "finished" (gone, no longer working) these five men tore it apart. Spread like a picnic on a blanket, car parts were all over. The head mechanic is the fellow in the red shirt, sitting on the tire. There is a common joke here about so many people needed to do a job. Many times one will see six or seven people standing around that takes only one or two to accomplish. However, there is oftentimes a method to the madness. The rest of the men are apprentices, learning how to put Humpty Dumpty back together. After I too their picture and showed the guys, a sixth man showed up. Apparently he'd been sent on an errand for supplies. Later in the day all of the apprentices were intently peering down into the shaft of the engine as the head mechanic instructed them. We do have "regular" mechanic shops here, but thought you'd like to know an alternate method of autoworks.