Travelling Zambia — Heathrow to Lusaka

Heathrow terminal five © Craig Murphy

My travelling Zambia series
This is the second article in a series about my 2010 experiences travelling in Zambia. If you haven’t had a chance to read earlier articles here’s the beginning.

We had a night flight from London to Lusaka, Zambia which meant a leisurely afternoon trip to the airport. Typical for the M25, we hit traffic warnings and debated various routes. But it turned out to be a touch of true British negativity — in fact we had loads of time. Too early to check in, we opt for a coffee. We grabbed a great seat looking through the glass fronted building at the planes coming in every few seconds. The excitement brews…

Finally, we can check in. Note they checked our visa stamps this end and I’m not sure they used to. So ensure you have your visa sorted though I’m unsure what would happen if you didn’t. I’m going to find out more on this and will report back.

Terminal 5 is so easy going. I wonder if it is operating at full capacity or whether it is deliberately slower paced? At security I was the only one who set the machine off — beep, beep, beep! It’s my travel jeans again – my comfy and trusted baggies, with the studs on the loops. Or could it have been my shoes with their metal studs? I sound like a rocker or a goth — I’m not. I would show a picture of my innocent flats but they were so comfy I’ve since walked them into the ground!

Whenever I’m going back to Zambia I wonder if I’ll spot anyone I know in the departure lounge. It’s a strange thought as its highly unlikely but when one is going home one feels they should know everyone! No luck, I didn’t know a single soul — maybe I’ve been gone too long. There was the comforting accent. Trying not to eavesdrop obviously I catch bits of sentences in Nyanja and Bemba. Smiling I interpret them for Liam. It’s good to be going home. We also have a laugh at the Zambian sayings and habits which I can’t for the life of me spell or explain. These are comforting and welcoming for me.

On the plane Liam moans about a large group of excitable youngsters sat near us. Smiling, I wondered how long the western mindset would stay. For people who have been to Zambia you’ll know that there is a complete shift in perspective, pace and approach to life. Shirley is excited, drinking in the atmosphere and unsure what to expect. Trevor, who has been to Zambia before is like a little kid. I have a warm fuzzy feeling – the one I get when I’m going home.

My travelling Zambia series
This is the second article in a series about my 2010 experiences travelling in Zambia.

1: Travelling Zambia — the beginning
2: Travelling Zambia — Heathrow to Lusaka
3: Travelling Zambia — our Lusaka arrival
4: Travelling Zambia — tribal accommodation
5: Travelling Zambia — the zen like Prana in Livingstone
6: Travelling Zambia — the human mind at night in Africa

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