Ladies & Gentlemen, a short story of my first visit to Africa and Zambia, what i managed to acheive in 6 weeks changed me in many ways.
I went with the Zambian flow and booked accomodation as i went, i did fund raising before i departed because i do alot for charity in the UK but wanted to give back to a country i knew was going to offer me so much. My first week i got my bearings, learnt some Bemba, discovered Nshima and did 3 days working in an Orphanage with children with HIV, donated toys and blankets. This broke my heart but was amazed how happy the children are, all things considered.
Next i travelled 11 hours on bus to Livingstone, Victoria falls blew me away literally. Fully recomended and could'nt wait for the safari to maybe feel a little what it must have been like for David Livingstone.
After 4 days or so there, i wanted to avoid tourist areas and get a grasp of living in Zambia. I headed for a 10 hour trip to Siavonga and 3 of those were in a Hiace with 15 people on an 8 seater and 10 chickens! Once there, i straighted my back out, took pain killers for my slipped disk i suffer with and used that true British grit to carry on. I found myself in a different world. Lake Kariba was awsome up untill the point where i went to dip my toes and go for a swim! There's alot of crocodiles in there, erm... I gave the skinny dip a miss lol. Siavonga was where the locals called me Lord which was funny but also i discovered Sugar Cane lol. Please imagine a muzungu (White Person) walking through a remote market with 2 sugar canes 7ft long he has just purchased. No one told me you have to peel it. It was like chewing on wood!!! The market lady ran over and said "peel like this". So i did and found the amber nectar inside. However, 300 Zabians were staring as me as i ate the cane and swallowed it. I thought this stuff is dry and very hard to eat. The lady ran over and explained you chew then spit out
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Next i headed on a 13 hour bus trip to Ndola and ate grass hopper, catapillar and chakalaka. I visited Jackies grandparents and yet again humbled by what i saw and how hard these people work. I let all the local children buy every sweet untill the kantemba sold out. The smile on there faces was amazing and was told some had never had a sweet.
Then back to Lusaka where i tought at Jackies school for 2 weeks and hired a car to travel, Zambian roads!!! lol. Again, an amazing experience. I visited Takeri Safaris as previously mentioned and had an amazing time. Then came an experience that changed me forever.
I traveled east to Luangua where with Jackie and her btother Chalwe's help we met Mr Justin a social worker there paid only £25 a month. I took 150kg of Millie Meal, 10kg of salt and sugar, 10litres of oil, 200 books, 250 pens, 150 pencils and 400 lollies. Well, it wasnt enough but all i could fit in. I got mobbed when i took a pack of sweets out the car and saw how desperate these people are when i got pinned up against the 4x4 and it nearly tipped. Once the crowd dispursed i sat and watched the dances the abused and vunerable children performed. It saddened me greatly and I saw there plight. But, this i noticed again and again. No matter how poor or how hard life treats these people, they are generally happy. It shows how money really does not bring true happiness when orphans who may only live 13 years can laugh and play, being happy.
I felt a connection with a beutifull place in Luangua and hope maybe one day i could settle there.
I had a goal, a budget and a purpose. Loved every minuite and everyone i met. Thanks again, Marky
you told everyone on here. you really did go for it in a way i doubt very few tourists do here 
