I was anxious, worried, expectant, curious, excited, nervous, rushing and apprehensive. I had no control of the mix of emotions. The taxi drove from Lusaka for 74 Kms along the paved Great East Road beyond the town of Chongwe to the small Mwacilele Shopping Center.
He turned right on to the gravel road toward Mwachalimba. After 2 kms he turned right onto a rugged road that has never been graded. The car encountered deep chasms, trenches, gullies, and sharp rocks in the tiny road and the experience of the driver with rural roads was crucial for safe navigation.
We finally arrived at the small red brick caretaker dwelling. I was probably late. I quickly paid the taxi driver and he made a U-turn to return to Lusaka.
Hoisting my heavy backpack, I began my brisk walk into a narrow well foot-trodden bush path with grass, trees, and shrubs on both sides. After a 3-minute walk, the path suddenly opened to a wide space in the Savannah bush wilderness which had five spectacular huts in a straight line stretching into the far distance. In front of the third hut were a small group of people and in front of it a mphungu round structure.
My heart beat increased, my knees shook with excitement, and expectations as I was walking toward the mphungu. The cite before my eyes overwhelmed me as I tried hard to suppress the feeling. Seated on the floor around the inside edges of the mphungu floor building were 20 contented people who were completing eating their delicious breakfast of sweet potato.
