Day 10: Authentically Africa

As we drove away from the Chikuni Mission this morning, I experienced a range of emotions.  This trip has been full of highs and lows, challenges and successes, and the portion of our trip at Chikuni was no different.  It may have been full of frogs (we named him Bernie) in our toilets, a large variety of (sometimes scary) insects, feelings of being overwhelmed, and the stretching of our comfort zones, but our time in Chikuni was authentic.  It was authentic in the way we were forced to interact meaningfully with each other and communicate well, in the people who were kind enough to prepare our 3 meals for 30 people each day using an outdoor kitchen, and in the dances, songs and stories that the people so kindly shared with us.

As we left the mission, I was mostly excited to have a hot shower, less bugs, and only two people to a room at our destination.  But I was also a little sad to be leaving a place that had challenged us and where we had time to reflect and think.  We headed off on our trip in our little bus, and eventually we stopped for lunch.  We were a little confused when we got off the bus to realize that we were at an Italian restaurant in the middle of Zambia.  However, upon opening the menu we discovered that all the profits from this restaurant go to an organization called the Youth Community Training Center, which helps at-risk youth in Livingstone develop skills in bricklaying, tailoring, carpentry, engineering, plumbing and catering.  This organization helps around 300 young people a year, and it was amazing to help support them.

We spent almost 3 hours here, but for me it felt like much less time.  Some of us were able to wander across the street to shops, others picked up souvenirs for loved ones at the gift shop while supporting the YCTC.  Some of us even got gelato (I did and it was delicious).  The concept of “Zambia time” has been driving me crazy this entire trip. Growing up in a military family, I expect things to happen promptly when they are scheduled, not 30 or 45 or 60 minutes later.  This is the first time on this trip I have gotten over that instinct, and the three-hour meal seemed to fly by.

Ultimately, we reached the border of Zimbabwe, watched a very aggressive monkey rip a pineapple out of a woman’s hands, had our visas stamped, and were on our way, passing the thunderous falls (which we get to explore tomorrow!).   We got our hot showers, bug-free rooms, and frog-free toilets, but when we sat down to dinner things were markedly different.  In stark contrast with Chikuni, this location is geared towards tourists.  We were serenaded by music from the Lion King, and ate food that was largely Americanized.  At least for me, it makes me sad that for some visitors, this may be the only Africa they experience.  While it may be more comfortable, it lacks the authenticity we experienced in Chikuni, and we will miss that sense of clarity it brought us during our stay there.

Love,

Haley

Music Ed Student, Class of 2018