Arrival in Lusaka, Zmbia

I arrived in Lusaka last night, after a series of very pleasant and restful airplane rides. It isn't often that I get a chance to sit for 24 hours while watching movies, reading books, and being served food and drinks. Upon arrival at the airport I was able to exchange money and find the hotel van with no trouble. The hotel itself is quite pleasant, the Hotel Protea on Cairo Road.

Saturday morning I was up early and venturing out into the streets of Lusaka. Turned left out the hotel door, up Cairo Road. Busy streets, many people. First place I stopped was a bookstore, Book World. Based on my observation and a conversation with the store manager, I surmise this is a bookstore with a mainly Zambian clientele. There is much to be learned about Africa libraries from African bookstores. The majority of books are study guides for entrance exams and language exams. Other books included text books for school-age, bibles, and African fiction published cheaply to sell cheaply. Few novels.

Next I found the ShopRite, one of a chain of well-stocked grocery stores. I so love roaming the aisles of a grocery store in a new country. But honestly, this store did not seem very different from Lowe's grocery back home.

Later in the day I walked to the National Museum on Independence Avenue. I am a big fan of museums and this one was no disappointment. Some of the highlights: the actual fingertip of an African nationalist (complete with fingernail) lost during a battle with colonial forces; charms, relics, and ointments used to cast spells by witches; and the scorched handbag of Lillian Burton, a colonialist murdered during the fight for national independence.

I also stopped at the Peace Statue on Independence Avenue. Seems to be a very important symbol for Zambia, a clear illustration of freedom from the bondage of colonialism.