London and arrival in Zambia

As I sit listening to some country music (always need a little taste of home), I am enjoying the first opportunity I have had to reflect on my journey.

Lets start in London.  I was able to spend four days with some amazing friends that I happened to meet this summer in Buffalo, Wyo.  It’s funny how things work out.  Alicia, Katie, Anna, and Emily were great hosts, taking me to the coast, Windsor Castle, and a London club on Saturday night (not quite like the Outback in Buffalo, but it was OK…).  I spent four nights in four different locations, and enjoyed every second of running around London with a 75L backpack on my back, and a 32L backpack on my front.  Hopefully I will be able to make it back at some point.  In a trip that has already seen a great deal of coincidences, I was able to spend all day Monday with Lindsie Lauzen (one of my very close Gonzaga friends) and her parents.  They fed me (twice!) and let me tag along sightseeing around London.  That night (16 Sept), I flew off to Africa, and the Lauzen’s left the next morning for Spain. 

Windsor Castle

Brighton

Now, off to Zambia.

The first person I actually had an extended conversation with while on the plane/in the airport just happened to be Zambian.  I am comfortable saying that Zambians truly are the warmest and most friendly people on the planet.  The people you meet along the way have the biggest influence on your experiences.  When you’re traveling, especially alone, the comforts of home tend to creep into your mind.  Sometimes a simple event, like a game of checkers with a group of Zambian children who speak no English on the side of the road after your car broke down 2 hours from your destination following a red-eye flight from London, can help you realize why you are out on this adventure (I don’t care if it’s a run-on sentence).  I quickly remembered why it was always so difficult to describe the pull that Africa had on me.  Often times, you cannot recognize or understand the appeal of something until you put yourself in that situation.  Sure, I might be biased, but if you have a passion for learning about new cultures and immersing yourself in a completely foreign way of life, come to Zambia. 

What a wonderful welcome I received from the lecturers and students at Charles Lwanga College of Education (CLCE).  I knew one good friend I made last time, John, was going to be at CLCE.  I had a great meeting with him, and we are already planning a weekend trip to his hometown of Livingstone (also the home of Victoria Falls).  I was doing some work in a lecturer’s office when Joe, a good friend who I did not realize was still at CLCE, walked in.  Another friend who I had not anticipated running into, Prince, was playing in a volleyball tournament at the local boys school.  I have also made strong connections with a few of the lecturers I met in Spokane one month ago, most notably Mr. Mooka (Physical Education, volleyball coach, head of tennis program), and Mr. Moono (Social Studies, soccer coach).  Random occurrences like these, and examples of all the great friends I have here, might give you a better understanding of why I was so willing to come back to Zambia without any sort of solidified plan or itinerary.  The day before I arrived at CLCE, I found out that Katy, a Seattle University student, is also here working on implementing a writing center. 

Me and my friend Joseph

Catholic church at CLCE

As it turns out, I did find a project to work on while at CLCE.  Through the efforts of CLCE and Gonzaga, we will be working on starting tennis and swimming programs here in Zambia.  As you can imagine, these types of programs are not the norm in Zambia.  That's what makes this project so special.  These programs will not only teach children, Charles Lwanga students, and other community members how to play/swim, but will also work on building language skills through sport.  My job is to be the connection between CLCE and everyone working on this project back home.  I have taken pictures, reported on the condition of the swimming pool (which has been out of use since the 90s), and work with CLCE lecturers to plan and build the tennis courts.  I will be accompanying three lecturers to Lusaka (the capital) to seek out contractors to put in the courts.  The plan is to get an estimate and start work on building the courts as soon as possible.  We will also work on figuring out the cost and process of renovating and updating the swimming pool.  The basketball courts will also be upgraded at a later stage.  I might not be an expert tennis player or swimmer, but that is not really the point.  I am here for communication, making sure these programs are sustained and correctly implemented, as well as whatever else I can work on.  The lecturers who are heading this program are very capable, and incredibly enthusiastic, about starting and sustaining these programs.  There is an electric feel around here, and I am so glad to be in the middle of it.  

Charles Lwanga Swimming Pool

Men working on uprooting trees surrounding the tennis courts

Future location of the two tennis courts

This upcoming week has me off to Lusaka for two days, taking cooking lessons with Mrs. Daka (I will learn some traditional Zambian meals), playing plenty of football, and whatever unknown project that will most certainly spring up at some point.  Like I said before, please leaves comments or questions below, I would love to discuss/answer anything!