If You Want Efficiency, Try an Umbrella Stand

I set off to town today with a short list of errands, one of which was to register for another cell phone line (part of my ongoing efforts to diversify my internet connection options in an ever-changing market). All things mobile here work on the prepaid system, so getting a sim card is normal, cheap, and usually easy... except when you forget--again!--that the Vodacom shop closes at noon on Saturdays.

But then I remembered where I live, how there are always other ways to get things done. I looked, and sure enough, the umbrella stands outside the phone company's store were still open for business in the afternoon hours. You can get the prepaid vouchers all over, and even use mobile banking in many places... Would these official stands be able to provide me with a new line, as well? Yes, indeed!

(The sheet wasn't there at first. I think a friend had just bought it and left it there while attending to something.)

I was intrigued to watch the process. After waving me to sit beside her on a wooden bench, this lady alternated between a smart phone and the most basic of cell phones to enter my passport information, snap my picture (against a solid-color door of a conveniently closed shop nearby), and get a signature sample that bears as little resemblance to my name as any touch screen version I've seen. The process was perfectly straightforward and took less time than I would have spent waiting in line at the main store.

Afterwards I summoned my courage and asked if I could take a picture. (Already I was thinking this might be a fun thing to share.) Zainabu, as I discovered she is named, was happy to consent. She gave me her number, and when I got home I returned the favor by looking her up on Whatsapp and sending the photo. And that's how I came to be featured in Zainabu's profile pic. :)