We wrapped up our time in Kitwe on a high note, filled with delicious food and even better company. On our way to getting up to Kitwe we met two Journeyman, Alyssa and Kayla. Two very awesome God fearing women that are serving in at Copperhill University. During our time in Kitwe they were extremely helpful in setting up a place to stay and basic transportation needs. On Thursday night their missionary support family hosted us for dinner. They were a funny sweet Korean couple that have been serving in Kitwe for over 13 years. The dinner they provided was the best chicken curry over white rice with extra toppings: tomatoes, onions, peppers, mango, coconut, nuts, raisins, and pine apples. After a solid meal and fellowship it was time for us to leave to catch our supposedly 14 hour bus ride to Livingstone.
Alyssa and Kayla, graciously provided us a ride to the bus station, and it was crazy. Buses, people, cars and everyone was everywhere in this tight location. Dusk and dark in Zambia isn’t the safest time to be out and our bus leaving at 7:30 pm put us their in an iffy time of day. Then came the rain, thunder, and lightning?.it poured the entire time while we were trying to unload, get bus tickets and wait to board the bus. Luckily there is a church across the street from the bus station that provided a safe haven for us to get ready before heading into the chaos. All through out Zambia, their draining system is above ground…which isn?t a problem in the daylight and when isn?t not raining. But at night, fully loaded down with stuff?.finding the drain ditches is challenging. Needless to say while crossing the street I quickly found myself with water up to my knees in the mist of raging street stream. All sorts of trash and grit following through my legs. I regained my position and was able to cross the street and meet up again with the team under the bus shelter.
Once on the bus we realized as a whole, that we were by far the ?wet? people on the bus. Still not sure how everyone else boarded the bus without being completely soaked. Thankfully we took over the back row of 5 seats on the bus and the 2 seats in the next row up. Now we settled in for the adventure of bus living. Just for context, there isn?t bathrooms on the bus and they randomly stop at places that charge to use the restroom. Also the buses don?t have AC so you are at the mercy of the people next to windows to keep you cool.
Low and behold we arrived in Lusaka at 2 am, slightly puzzled about what is going on. Eventually we found out that we were to hang out on the bus until the next one arrived. Well that worked out until about 4 am, when we got kicked off the bus onto the curb. Here we are chilling in Lusaka at a large bus station on the curb for the next bus to arrive at 5:30 am. It was slightly wry in the sense that people were sprawled out everywhere sleeping under cloth sheets and merchandise out in the open.
At last the bus arrived and we were off to Livingstone again at roughly 6 am. This bus was slightly nicer with a tad more leg room and each seat had their own TV to watch. Still no bathrooms on board so planning how much you drink gets tricky. Despite sitting in what felt like a sauna most of the time, sweat constantly dripping down your face, no matter how much you drank you were still hot. I passed the time by trying to move as little as possible, got comfy with a good book and ipod in hand. Dosed on and off where I could along the way. Oh sleeping on the bus has challenges too?.between speed bumps on the roads and making stops what felt like every 30 minutes to quickly let people on and off the bus, it was hard to get in a sleeping rhythm.
Finally Livingstone arrived at 1pm and we were greeted with the sun beaming down and anticipation high knowing that we were going to spend our ?off? days at one of the seven natural wonders of the world, Victoria Falls! Everyone did an excellent job staying positive and thankful the entire time, but I don?t think any of else is going to forget that bus ride anytime soon.
—
Eric Cash
