Bush

Skramunkel was now almost grown-up, well, she thought that she was, and she was better than any watchdog, as no strange person dared to enter either my, or Irma and Jan's place without her kicking up such a lot of dust, that they wouldn't dare enter. She was great company for me, and I was much more relaxed with her having the run of the place, as no mugger or robber would dare to come through the gates.
But I knew that the day was approaching fast when she would have to be cooped up in one of the camps, and although she would have enough space, and to spare, it would be hard on both of us, as I would really miss her nose being pushed through the security gates, and her eyes that would follow me as I do my little things around the house, and of course, even if she didn't miss me, she would miss eating my roses, her best titbit of all times!
I had such a few enjoyable moments one Sunday morning, as I watched Bush, my Zimbawean neigbour across the road, leave for church. He was now quite integrated into the Haarlem society, and thus his going to church, although I don't think he understood one word the pastor said, his sermons being all in Afrikaans, but as this people loved their church, I suppose that Bush was trying hard to be accepted, him being the only black person in Haarlem.
Now, Bush had an old bicycle maybe dating back to the year of this commodity first being invented, and one day he got hold of a can of bright green spray, and sprayed his bicycle, and was extremely proud of his handywork, as he called me out to show me. It was hidious, but his smile was so broad, and his eyes so bright with pleasure, that I just praised and praised him for dollying up his cycle so nicely! From then on he used this rickity old thing to collect his money for miles around, as he was a kind of pedlar, bringing stuff from his homeland Zimbabwe, and selling it at a nice little profit here.
But this morning I was delighted when Bush emerged from his house, dressed very smartly in a bright, shiny, purple suit, pink shirt, and a greener than the bicycle tie! He was very conscious of his looks, and after bringing out an old spotted mirror that he leaned against a fence pole, he started surveying himself from head to toe, and then from all sides turning around and around very slowly, a smile of pure delight lighting up his face!
I stayed hidden behind my Black eyed Susan that was giving me good coverage, and just so enjoyed this little incident, until he got onto his green bicycle and pedalled laboriously up the steep road, his brandnew bible safely clipped onto the carrier at the back, still smiling very happily! Oh, the sight of that purple suited man on his green bicycle was a sight that not many people in white areas will ever have the privelage of seeing! Irma later took some photos of Bush and his purple suit on his green cycle, and I will try and get it from her.
I was now almost ready to leave, my clothes, linen, and other cloth stuff were all neatly laid out between moth balls and locked up in my kist, my shoes were also moth balled and locked away in an old chest of drawers, my jewelery in a box to take to Irma, and my fences checked for any weaknesses, as Skramunkel will be quite alone during the week, and I didn't want her to get out and be a burden to Sheila and Charmaine, who would be looking after her.