World Aids Day

Today, 1st December, is World Aids Day and the celebrations and memorials were scheduled as a torchlight procession on Friday night from the Post Office to the Catholic Church (next door to the hospice- handy!) which was delayed a mere hour as we waited for the essential police escort (we were marching on the main, Kafue, Road)  The second part was an 'Event' today, a procession/march from the nearby Basic School to Parklands, the Secondary School, a bit beyond the ....you've guessed it....Post Office.
A very municipal event, made more ceremonious and special by the fact that it's the first since Chilanga gained its own status as a health Admin area; used to be combined with Kafue so all should be on their mettle.
This, sadly, did not prevent the District Commissioner from warning us as he 'flagged' us off on our procession last night to 'be punctual at 7 hrs tomorrow' and then being late himself.  Imagine the scene at Chilanga basic: when we arrived on time, the boys' and girls' brigades, complete with marching band and team of majorettes from Kafue had been marching, drumming, twirling, dancing and hopping for some time.  They kept it up for a while but lost heart as no-one arrived for the 'flagging' and drifted off for refreshments, toilets and some relaxing jokes and games.  A deputy administrator, gripping a megaphone, tried to call the assistant who deals with the Commissioner's affairs but the phone was off.
News that he was on his way, brought everyone to their feet and the procession was formed with military precision, 4 abreast behind the correct banner.  When nothing further seemed to be happening, we all drifted off to sit on bricks in the shade., to chat and relax.  Some mums with babies sat on the grass and I found my ipod....
At 10.15, the great man arrived; his presence was announced and received with very faint cheers (we all  have limits of unpunctuality), the flagging happened (inaudibly) and we were now, tired and less enthusiastic, permitted to march to Parklands. 
There we had the usual protocols respecting the man most of us would have happily slapped on a braii, had one been handy.  There followed poetry and drama, testimonials, dancing and singing exhibitions etc- all pleasant enough if there was time- these people, who had carefully prepared and dressed up, were put through their paces at a trot.  Bottled water and plain rolls were handed out but well before the end, but I left early though it turned out I only missed 2 hours, poor compensation for the 3 hour delay.