Another nightmare was immunization shots. Making certain every team member received the broad selection of vaccination shots required to live and work in a foreign country. And one last, unexpected request from the Zambian government. Every visa request must be accompanied by a blood sample. At the time, Zambia was fighting a losing battle against the AIDS epidemic. To weigh in on the side of caution, the Zambian government wanted all its visitors to be tested for HIV. Already fighting a losing battle, it did not make sense to add fire to fire, by allowing entry to someone already infected with the AIDS virus—adding to the already burgeoning problem. Discovering this late request from the Zambian government, Allison thought to herself: “Do we really want to go to this dreadful place?”
This was a bullet that Allison dreaded but knew she could no longer avoid it. There was no one available she could persuade to take the test for her which meant her unusual blood type might raise a red flag. The testing lab workers at first were too embarrassed to admit that they were not certain of her blood type, and chose instead, to classify her blood as Golden blood type RH null (Rhnull), the rarest blood type in the world with fewer than fifty people with the same blood type.
The procurement of specialized equipment designed specifically for digs came next. Finding specialty-made cameras and museum-approved validation documents. A requirement at all government-sanctioned dig sites to verify findings. Emergency lifesaving equipment in the event of sickness or injury of personnel. And lots, and lots of malaria pills. Malaria, a common threat, plaguing all travelers to foreign countries. Fortunately, a lot of required ‘stuff’ was already at the dig site making for a good start. However, Murphy’s law says that the locals have already pilfered all the ‘good stuff.’ If the natives' conduct were anywhere near that of the slovenly visa clerk, you could be sure that would be the case.
Sometimes the best of plans of mice and men do not always work out the way we wish. For example: there was some question about the legitimacy of one of the students’ passport and citizenship. Given no time to iron out the discrepancies, the student was told. “You can travel to the dig site on your own dime later if you can straighten out the mess with your passport. No passport. No travel.” And for this same student, there were no guarantees that the dietary requirements she required to treat her severe allergies were available in Zambia or anywhere outside the United States or Canada. So, she was out.
Down to four students plus Professor Dawkins, a decision had to be made: go with such a small group or pass for another college to consider. The departing archaeological school gave their assurance: “Zambia has plenty of experienced archeologists. They can be easily pressed into service at a ridiculously cheap rate.”
Allison had a brilliant thought: “Why not bring along Charlie? Having a geology student at the dig would be an asset to the project; someone knowing the terrain of the search area. Its flora and fauna, areas that should be avoided, etc. could prove invaluable to our small group. Giving a nice touch to include in our final astrologist findings report.”
Allison’s earthling brother Charlie was doing incredibly well in his studies. His absence from class for a short period of time, she hoped, should not pose a problem. So, she asked: “Charlie, would you like to join us on our dig in Zambia?” After his head came down from the clouds, the overjoyed Charlie assented to the proposal.
“First, before we can go any further, you must obtain approval from your department head.”
Charlie’s professor of Geology had no objection to the request. Granted Charlie a six-month sabbatical leave (Without pay, of course. Students do not get paid to skip class. It is the other way around. Teachers are the ones who get paid while on sabbatical leave) from school to go to Zambia.
****
Allison dubbed her personal notes on Zambia, “Allison’s Personal CliffsNotes,” notations used as a brief summary of Zambia's past history and what to expect upon their arrival. First, she noted, the Republic of Zambia, its official name, and its geographic location, South Central Africa, is landlocked. Population of around thirteen million, bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the North, Tanzania, Northeast, Malawi, East, Mozambique, Southeast, Zimbabwe, and Botswana, South, Namibia, southwest, and Angola, West.
The capital of Zambia: Lusaka Province, the largest city followed by the Copperbelt Province. The country is shaped like a butterfly, with a total land area of two-hundred and fifty thousand square miles. Zambia is the home of lions, elephants, and hippos enjoying their bath in the Zambezi River (Zambezi is where the country got its name: Zambia).
Speaking to her fellow travelers, Allison explained, “During Zambia’s emerald season which occurs after heavy rainfalls, everything turns green. Zambia is noted for its many rivers and lakes. Eighteen waterfalls. Greatest town, Livingston, a given name, honoring David Livingston, Scottish missionary, and explorer. World’s greatest waterfall Victoria Falls borders Zambia and Zimbabwe—Native tribesmen speak Bantu.”
“From 1911-1964, Zambia, as you recall from your study of history, was northern Rhodesia, a colony of the British Empire. Zambia is a sub-Sahara nation. Democratic in nature. The country is slightly larger than Texas---mostly flat. Covered by savannah woodlands. Cleared areas are excellent for grazing cattle.”
“The Republic of Zambia is almost three-thousand feet above sea level—highest point:8,503 feet. Zambia contains deep gorges and valleys, part of the Great African Rift Valley, extending from Mozambique south to the Red Sea, north. An area which includes Lake Tanganyika, the lake once thought by African explorer, Dr. David Livingstone as the source of the Nile River, the longest river in the world. The Tanganyika Lake is four-hundred and twenty miles long and thirty-one miles wide Only part of the lake joins up with Zambia. There are several hydropower stations built on rivers and lakes. The hydro-powered plants supply electricity to Zambia and neighboring countries.”
“It was the year 1855, when Scottish explorer David Livingston was the first white man to see the falls, naming them Victoria Falls, after Queen Victoria of England. Zambia has a total of nineteen National Parks where a tourist traveling the area, can find the rare Ran’s antelope and four hundred different species of birds and many wild animals.”
“The Royal Geographical Society commissioned African explorer David Livingstone to find the source of the Nile River. Years later, explorer, Stanley made his own search to find the source of the Nile. Both explorers strongly suspected Lake Tanganyika or Lake Victoria or both as the source. They were both wrong.”
“Zambia is an ancient land and relatively new country, after regaining its independence from British-controlled, Rhodesia. Zambia is rich in copper and other minerals. Trading included copper and ivory. The presence of Portuguese traders appeared as early as 1850. After the Portuguese, Christian missionaries arrived in mass. Soon after, Zambia was under colonial rule, administered by Rhodes’ British South Africa Company, a concession granted by Queen Victoria.”
“The Republic of Zambia is a major producer of the fastest growing export market for Raw Tobacco which has been primarily grown and sold to countries like Poland and China, two countries that just happen to be Zambia’s biggest tobacco customers. Where tobacco production and use may be slowing down in other countries, there seems to be no letup for those two countries ’ appetites for Zambian Raw Tobacco.”
*****
It was now time for Allison to get final approval for the trip. She'd completed all her research, and done her due diligence to get all the paperwork together. All she needed now was the university's approval.
Arthur Stokes, a typical male chauvinist University president, maintaining overall decisions regarding university travel, questioned the wisdom of having a woman professor in charge of the small band of travelers. Especially someone practically the same age as most of her students. But in the end, Allison was able to prove that she deserved to lead this group on the expedition.
Reluctantly, the University president signed off on the travel documents with terse warnings to Allison: “The university has a lot riding on this, so don't mess up and get yourself or anyone else killed over there.” Allison would never forget those words as she prepared her team for a life-changing trip to Africa.
19
A Confession
Planning her trip to Zambia kept Allison extremely busy. Hardly noticing or remembering Brad’s deployment to serve in Afghanistan was for a period of four, agonizing months. An eternity for young lovers. Staying connected as often as possible. Missing someone you love is something terrible!
Mentioning her concern for Brad’s safety in such a hazardous environment to her Earth mother Peggy, Allison was taken by surprise, hearing Peggy’s remarks. “Have you considered praying for his safety?” Thinking: “Well, if that is what earthlings do, maybe I should try it. I have no idea what to say to God, so I will just up and say it: ‘Please, God keep Brad and all the soldiers stationed in Afghanistan safe.’ There! That should do it.”
The very next day, Friday, a day before departing to Zambia on Saturday, Allison, while rushing out of her office, bumped into Brad.
“I can’t believe it! I was just praying for your safety and here you are.”
“Guess what they say is true. It works! Never underestimate the power of prayer,” quipped Brad.
“Why are you here, and not back in Afghanistan? Oh God. You are not injured, are you?”
“Slow down. You are getting more like Rose every day. Nonstop chatter. No. I am not injured. Thanks to NASA and the panic for more qualified aerospace engineers, the Pentagon decided to send me back to the university to begin graduate work in aerospace engineering.”
“Don’t tell me,” spoke Brad. “You finally ironed out all your trip problems. Now you are ready, running off to Zambia?”
“Sorry. But yes. We are scheduled to leave on Saturday, tomorrow.”
“Darn. That’s not fair. If I had only known, you were coming home. I would have figured a way to delay the trip. But now I’m afraid, it’s too late. I come in one door, and you go out the other. Well, let’s not waste the time we have. I am looking for some handsome man to take me to the outer limits of space. You are a space jockey. Are you up to the task?
“I’m your man.”
The next morning, after one of the most fantastic nights of her life, Allison started thinking: “What if something should happen to either one of us with Brad never knowing who I really am? Conversely, how will he react if finds out? The truth is, I can no longer go on without sharing with him who I really am. If he rejects me, then our relationship was never meant to be.”
Sitting on the sofa, drinking their morning coffee, Allison spoke up. “Brad, I have something to tell you but first you must promise you will never tell a living soul what I am about to say.”
“Gee, Allison, all of a sudden you are getting really serious. That’s not like you. You are scaring me. What is it? Are you a foreign agent or something? Hiding in plain sight so everyone can see you, but not have a clue about your secret activities you carry on for some foreign entity? That teaching is just a front to hide the real Allison. In other words, you are a spy, and I should turn you in.”
Allison, laughing responded. “I wish it was that simple, but I am afraid that what I am about to say goes far beyond anything you can imagine, and it scares me to tell you, but if I don’t, I may regret it for the rest of my life. Does that make sense? I run the terrible risk that once I tell you who I really am, you will never want to speak to me again, or worse, expose me as an imposter.”
