Zambia: looking for Livingstone

For: Javier Brandoli (text and photos)
Previous Image
Next Image

info heading

info content

I crossed the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia walking. The taxi left me across the river and from there more than two miles, after crossing the bridge between the two countries, to leg and vein entering Africa. People surrounded by bags lying under tight shadows, a girl who goes by bike and offered to take me (I could not even with suitcase); Smoke sellers ... Complete group trip has given me back the desire of this continent, of insanity, of chaos. , Alone has made me feel again the tension of the route.

Need to get back to running into African cities, with people who ask all, with the desire to be invisible, people-trafficking, cries, laughter, fears, soulless night, unserviceable stores, hairdressers on demand, uncertain sunrises, travelers experience ... There are moments where the atmosphere shelves and moments where you everything you want to understand not fit in the eyes. Everything is coming back will be a surprise with no time to direct my steps. Will travel, you do not need to come here to feel that, but there is something on this earth that holds you and pushes you both.

An amazing hotel, Luxury, where zebras graze in the pool. A monkey, even, came into my room and stole the sugar in my face

My early days were spent in Zambia Royal Livingstone Hotel doing a photo story. An amazing hotel, Luxury, where zebras graze in the pool. A monkey, even, came into my room and stole the sugar in my face. (Now, as I write, just spend four more under my window zebras). The hotel has served me well for three things: Victoria Falls fly helicopter, take the Royal Livingstone Express train and organize a personal visit to a village, Mkuni, Where the Toka Leya.

The visit, I will report on VOD, left me speechless. The village has 700 years and live 7000 People. It has two royal palaces, that of the head and the head of the tribe, dividing the tasks. Only the boss has a car and has five televisions, five houses, which are the only lock on the door with. Wander through the sandy streets, I saw people drawing water from its sources and, especially, I saw the tree in which Livingstone met with the head Mkuni, when he discovered the falls. Why especially? Because Zambia has become the country look for the trail of Scottish explorer.

The locomotive, steam, will sound the horn as people, especially children, living on rails that leave their neighborhoods in two, deviate, hello, miran

The train also left me forceful scenes. It is a vintage train, Luxury, beautiful, makes a journey in which you see the sunset and dinner around (very good food). But, line crosses the township today. The locomotive, steam, will sound the horn as people, especially children, living on rails that leave their neighborhoods in two, deviate, hello, miran. The aim is to get smaller cars, while the background looks like life is repositioned, return people to occupy a chaotic horizon gets smaller, while escaping the train of the lucky tourists. Minutes after, stopped to change the locomotive for the return site. Seven children in a village outside the city come. "He is Spanish, World Champion ", says a guy from Hong Kong who now lives in Barcelona to the kids. The boys look at him without understanding, until one tells drivers that do not have TV, know nothing of the World. Quiet courage. We return to the beautiful train, sounds like the soundtrack to Out of Africa. The darkness is impenetrable and, the township are now without power small lights.

Morning delivery to Lusaka, on a bus that takes seven hours to reach the capital. There will be two nights and fly to another hotel, who also will do an interview, nestled in the heart of the Zambezi River. Then, back to Lusaka and try to get to Chitambo, the burial place of David Livingstone's heart. An agency that called me asked budget 1200 U.S. dollars (not answered); the driver who took me Mkuni offered to take me from Lusaka, but I have not seen since I said I will not pay exorbitant and who was nothing short of money; it is possible to rent a car, but the Argentine post I talked about on the Chobe / Victoria Falls told me that there have to be careful, He hit a buffalo and gasoline is expensive and scarce. I do not know, I suppose it as always, that the journey itself will teach me how (may not have). Then, I'll take a train that will take me from Lusaka to Dar es Salaam. Three nights of iron, Missed stops in cities, street vending and insomnia, I was never given OK to sleep in the wagons.

  • Share

Write a comment