Zambia

Zambia! To the mind of a thirteen year old boy that word coming from my father's mouth meant adventure! It was sa chance to break free from my surroundings and to strike out into a new world, to taste a new culture and see life from another angle.

I had been with my family to Rhodesia (Now Zimbabwe) in the late 60's. My parents explained to me that I was too young at that time to remember much of that trip and stated that this trip coming up would be a great opportunity to see the country with new eyes.

Just the excitement of the airports and the flight overseas was satisfying to my young mind. Curiousity was peaked as the adventure continued. Landing at the airport in Kitwe was a wonder in itself as I realized how the airport there was so much different! I was now the minority in a busy, but friendly world.

I had considered buying souveniers throughout the stay. My first was nearly a shirt bearing the logo of the country, "Zambia in the Sun!" There were many choices and patience dictated the moment.

More curiously was the fact that the words that were being spoken around me were not english! Words rambled around my head from passerbyes of that land that now became very foreign to me as well as fascinating.

The fact that english was the internationally spoken language everywhere that we went did not deter the fact that Zambia had 27 different dialects! I began listening to the words in Chibimba and repeating them in my head hopeing to learn some of the language.

There were many more wonders yet to be described.