Something is Missing
BY HEATH "KARAOKE KING" McKINNEY, MESA AZ - When I went to bed last night, I found myself to be lacking. I didn't hear the constant clacking that comes from a pool table that should have been right outside my bedroom window. Even more so, when I woke up, the birds weren't chirping like the used to. The weather was a lot warmer than I could remember, and I didn't hear the sound of a constant banging on the metal gate that kept us safe inside our little pink palace.
I walked outside, to take in the day, it was missing a herd of little children that were happily wishing me well as I started my day. A bus didn't show up to take me anywhere, and I made my own breakfast. It's hard to believe that all the littlest things that we came to know and love, while we were in Zambia, are now just great memories. I will never forget that place and the way that it made me feel. I truly was part of something so much greater there in Zambia.
I am a little jealous of those that we left behind, Zambia was a gorgeous country. I would love to return to study there and take part of the exchange program that our Teachers were setting up while we were there. I think most of all that I will miss the people that helped us out. Doudi was our chef. He cooked some of the best food I had ever had. He showed us around and taught a few of us some words in the language of Nyanja. He's also a musician, and treated us to a concert on our very last night in the Kwazulu Kraal. Emma, and Diana, were the assistants to Doudi and were learning the trade of tourism in Zambia. Two very kind girls. Then we had Alan, our driver. I never had known such a humble person who always wanted to do what was right. He really kept us in line when we got bright ideas. Helen and Marta were our housekeepers, they kept the lodge clean and tidy, helping us so much. We had so little stress there when we got back from a long day to see that our little homes away from home, were just as good looking as the day we got there.
I'm sure they learned from us as well, but I know that I learned more from them. I am indebted to them, Thank you so much guys for treating us so well at the Kwazulu Kraal. And Dr. Ngoma, zikomo kwambiri.