I awoke Tuesday grateful for the efforts of the preceding days. I was not faced with the usual last minute scramble to finish meetings, get packed and run to the airport. Instead I sat, ate a good breakfast, got ready for the day and had time to begin writing blogs.
When Theresa and Pauline arrived to collect me, we spent some time going over lists I had printed of outstanding to-dos on their end and made a plan for communication between now and April when we will be back.
I said goodbye to the guesthouse crew and we set off for the airport.
Saying goodbye to a new guesthouse worker and her adorable son.
Agness and Mathilda.
Lemmick
The Ndola airport has become one of my favorites in the world: quiet, friendly, no lines, no hassle. Their internet was down when I checked in so the agent dutifully advised me of my options: she could manually check my bags through to the United States and, later when the internet is back up (it was anybody's guess when that would be), enter the tag numbers into the system. Or she could check the bags just to Johannesburg and I could collect them there and recheck them properly. She recommended the second option. This would mean that. where I would normally just sail through the "in transit" area of the Johannesburg airport, I would instead have to stand in line to clear South African customs, wait for my bags, go through customs with my bags, get back in the check-in line for the U.S. flight, and go back through exit customs. I decided I would pay as much as both my bags were worth to avoid doing that and had her check them through to the U.S.
Off to the airport.
As we boarded the little bus that takes passengers from the terminal to the foot of the airplane on the tarmac, I overheard a white South African remark to his friend, "This is the best part of a trip to Zambia, the journey home." I stood there overwhelmed with gratitude that that is not my experience. Zambia is a home for me. I enjoy the culture, the exquisite landscape, and I love the people. The transformation that is happening in the projects, in our team, in me, is a privilege to witness. And, as always, we are also deeply grateful for all of you who are moved to share in all of this. Thank you.
