“So, which college did you select?” asked Charlie. “My father, who is my biggest fan and supporter, suggested I attend Bryant University, a private university in Smithfield, R.I. Personally, I was leaning toward Providence College. The college, is considered by learned scholars, and academic professors, alike as Rhode Island’s premier learning institution. The only college in the entire nation that’s operated by Dominican friars. I thought it would be neat to go there!”
It was a great day for bird watching. The little canoe kept a slow, steady drift down the great Kafue River. Undisturbed by noise, birds of many species were everywhere. Charlie and Sara were so excited, they could hardly contain themselves. Wishing they could jump up and shout. In less than three hours of bird watching, the enthralled bird-watching group pulled over to the nearby bank, where a luncheon pavilion was set up for the hungry group. Charlie hardly recalled what was served. He and Sara, are too busy discussing each other’s personal lives. Learning more about each other. As each word uttered from Sara’s mouth seemed like gold, with Charlie unable to recall a single face among the other bird watchers.
Sara was in her senior year at St. Georges’ preparatory school in Middleton, R.I. located in Newport. A private Episcopal co-educational boarding school is considered one of the best in the country. Sara, an outstanding student in the school’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) program, wanted to design her own robot, someday.
“Make him your personal slave?” Charlie asked. “Is that not the job of husbands?”
Missing the humor in his comment, Sara remarked, “Charlie, if you ever decide to visit me, you must first go to Purgatory.”
Stunned by the remark, Charlie responded: “Purgatory?”
Laughing, Sara clarified. “Because that’s where St. Georges’ is located. On Purgatory Road, a popular street in the area.”
“Not surprised,” said Charlie. “Is Purgatory Street paved in gold? Or is the only road paved in gold is the “road to your heart?” he asked.
“Good one, Charlie.”
A camp site of a large proportion greeted the tour group as they neared the end of the first day of bird watching. The tired, bug-eyed (from hours of peering through binoculars or camera lenses) travelers sat down to a hearty meal of indescribable meat, a variety of fish caught from the Kafue River, fresh vegetables, fruit, and for dessert, banana pudding. Zambia’s favorite beer selections among the men served in a small pavilion near the river.
The favorites included: Tiermann Wild Dog Weiss, Chibuku Shake, Mosi Lager, Weiss bier, Traditional Ale, and Pale Lager. With a small selection of popular German and American Beers. A wine-tasting booth set up for the ladies displaying a large selection of wines from all over; the most popular: South African wines. Charlie, not wanting to waste a single minute being with Sara hung out with the wine drinkers. “After all, wine is what they drank at the Mum II dig site, right?”
The following day, Sunday went by too fast. Charlie, one year older than Sara, in his first year of college, explained to Sara why he was in Zambia.
“We came as a group of archeology students from the University of Iowa as guests of the Zambian government on a dig of ancient ruins, allegedly found in an ancient cave. As guests, we are jointly participating with the Lusaka Museum in the excavation of an ancient cave located near Lusaka. The recently discovered cave may have the buried remains of an ancient African tribe. An Ancient Ethnic group living in this same area of Africa goes back thousands of years. That is why we are here.”
Sara, traveling with a small group of students from other colleges, with the support of her rich parents, planned to spend another two weeks touring Zambia, Malawi, and possibly Uganda, hoping to use the knowledge gained from her travel experience as part of her thesis in gaining her post-doctoral degree in African studies from Bryant.
“Now, Charlie, do not give me that same argument my father used: are you not starting a little early in your research for your doctorial? You are still in high school, for goodness’ sake! You have plenty of time to decide on what you want to do with the rest of your life.” “Perhaps he’s right.” “But some of my girlfriends talked me into going with them.” “So, here I am!” “Besides, had I not taken this trip I would not have met you, Charlie!”
In parting, the two engaged in what was probably the longest, saddest goodbye kiss in all history. As the two embraced each other, neither wanting to be the first to break free—not wanting the moment to end with Sara promising at the end of her tour, she would make an unscheduled stop to Lusaka, to join Charlie, hoping to visit his ‘dig site’ before returning home. “Making a change in my travel plans to visit Lusaka will not make my father happy.”
“Anyway, it is my decision and I usually get my way in the end. Besides, I have never seen an active archeologist digs before. It will be considered part of my African post-doctoral thesis study.”
Using her travel itinerary as a guide, Sara hoped to expand her studies of African history by extending her travel plans to include visiting a variety of African countries. Sara soon discovered the country she was about to visit, the Republic of Malawi, was, at the time, economically strapped for cash with little hope of recovery—which is pretty much the same sad economic state of all the fifty-plus sovereign, independent African nations.
The classifications, First World, Second World, and Third World surfaced at the time of the Cold War and may imply cultural bias and shouldn’t be used. A developing world or country is what you should use if you must refer at all. What you are reading here is what used to be acceptable but no longer. These classifications are for a historical record only: not to disrespect anyone’s belief system: The classification, Third World is a term arbitrarily assigned to underdeveloped countries of the world. Zambia, with many like African nations, falls into that category. Russia, China, and several other countries, mostly Communists are classified as Second World countries. The United States, and most European countries, as members of NATO or considered First World countries. “Is Africa, a Third World continent nation, any better off today than it was a thousand years ago? Probably not.”
Nations surrounding the continent of Africa, and many independent states like Europe, the America’s, and Australia, as examples, have over the centuries managed to prosper. But most African nations have not, with Africa remaining much the same way it had always been poor. Backward, not advancing forward, making the entire continent a prime target for takeover by hostile nations, drunk on power. Traders and greedy merchants, introduced their foreign disease- killing thousands. Rapists, men of low morals, and religious zealots are not far behind. First came the unfair trading practices, primarily by the Portuguese and Dutch. With others like Germany, Belgium, and Italy joining in. Followed by illegal colonization, slavery, and robbing countries of all valuable resources. Ending with border wars between terrorist groups. Capturing and performing painful circumcision (female genital mutilation) on women, raping others. Destroying any hopes of recovery.
What is left: broken third-world countries, and no functioning economy to speak of. Infrastructure destroyed. Pollution of waterways is a serious problem. No safe drinking water. Rampant diseases including AIDS, Ebola, malaria, and others. Active Sex trade between nations including Germany, Russia, America, and many more. With all of the named nations, openly participate in the prostitution of children of all ages, including those as young as ten or younger having sex. These same countries are experiencing an epidemic-proportion drinking problem with unemployed youth, older men, and women involved in rape, drug overdose, a common problem. All roads are notorious for potholes--no money to repair.
Trains are not reliable. Those that do work (trains) are never on schedule, or on some days do not run at all. Most in dire need of repair. Experiencing long periods of time without natural resources like gas and electricity. Rampant crime including rape, theft, and murder is quite common throughout the entire continent.
Ironically, places like Nairobi keep up a façade. A façade to attract tourists to the many wild games reserve. Not permitting tourists to stray into areas where there is high crime. Which is everywhere. The country of Kenya, once the darling of British settlers, is now broken. With little prospect of recovery. The country of Zimbabwe, at one time, was home of many successful plantations and farms established by white farmers when the country was known as Rhodesia. Robert Mugabe, the first ruler of independent Zimbabwe brought total chaos to a once-thriving country. Following the death of Robert Mugabe, there was hope the country might recover. It has not. The situation has worsened. Once there was hope Zimbabwe might rise to the level of prosperity as South Africa. It has not.
Pouring billions of dollars into broken economies, which practically every African nation faces, does not work. What will? Not an easy solution. For an alcoholic to recover, he or she must first hit rock bottom before there is any hope for recovery. In a way, maybe that is what must happen to the poor nations of Africa before they recover. What chance is there for a better life for all Africans? If they do not first rid themselves of all the internal foreign interference, corrosion, and decay created in part by rotten, greedy politicians and dictators and the like who do not want change.
No progress toward a better life for all African nations will come about until they reach some type of bottom. Are they there? To reach this hypothetical goal, first, throw out the aid workers. All they do is keep the poor down and dependent on aid. A message for all who think waving a magic wand is going to fix the problems of Africa in the short term. It’s not going to happen. It will require a long-term commitment of all involved to make it happen. It is not going to happen overnight. It is going to take Africans to fix Africa’s problems.
So, if you ‘do good-errs’ have convinced yourself that all is needed to fix the problems of Africa’s economic problems is to travel around in your new white, shiny four-wheel Land-Rovers, wearing your rose-colored glasses; putting on your annual, stupid charitable concert and wave a magic wand and like magic, all the ills of Africa will just disappear, you are deluding yourself.
Stay home. If the natives of Africa want you to fix their problems, they will give you a call. Missionaries? Are you the solution or the problem? With the absence of these two major crutches, aid workers, and missionaries, which in the minds of many have held back Africa from reaching its potential for a half-century or longer; change can come about. O.K. Making these life-changes will be everything but easy. Massive struggles to overthrow crooked regimes, not intent on leaving peacefully, can be expected.
It is a must to elect rulers committed to bringing about enlightenment in government and prosperity to the nation. Losing many lives in the struggle for a better life will happen. It is the price you must pay to be free of greedy dictators and terrorists. You can expect ousted leaders (dictators) to try to jockey for a new position with promises to bring back the old ways which just succeeds in enslaving the masses all over again. Sensible, educated, forward-thinking African leaders should be elected to replace the ousted tyrants. When the pain and suffering of the people is finally over, which could take many years, or decades to accomplish before bringing about, a new, resilient African continent. Ready to join up with the world economy. Producing its own goods and services is possible. Making a better life for all Africans.
Sadly, African nations historically choose the very worst traits and habits of colonizing countries. Drugs, excessive drinking, and immoral sex at the top of the list. With many nations end up with broken, doped up, rampant disease, mainly from illicit prostitution and corrupt leaders. Two things to know: Countries ruled by dictators do not want the masses educated. An educated populace will challenge the sacred position held by the dictatorial leader, demanding change. Look what happened when Mussolini ruled Eritrea and Ethiopia just before the Second World War. He made it mandatory that all natives would receive an education no higher than the fourth grade. He was frightened that an educated populace would kick his sorry ass out of the Horn of Africa.
Aid Society workers offer little in the way of change. Adding band-aids to sick patients is their preferred method of solving the problems of no work, no food, and rampant poverty. As if they do not want the patient to get well. That is how Aid Societies survive. The Aid Societies in Africa are not interested in empowering the people they serve to be strong—how to survive on their own. That is not the mission of aid societies. In the mind of aid workers, it is better for the poor, sick, starving natives to depend on Them for their daily dose of Pablum, (a processed cereal normally for infants). Do aid workers really care about the poor, starving people they, theoretically, serve? Some do, but many more probably do not. They prefer for rich societies, and individuals, around the world to keep pouring billions of dollars into a broken system.
Keeping up the high salaries and lavish living conditions for aid workers and the crooked, corrupt dictators, and rulers of these underdeveloped countries. Members of Aid societies, riding around in their new white, shiny Land Rovers will not like it when their status quo is challenged.
*****
Charlie, Mike, and Chris made a good team. Calling themselves the three Musketeers did not seem right. Since they were digging up old artifacts, hoping to discover old human remains over a thousand years old, they decided the name, the Three Mummies was more suitable and a better fit for their job description. A name just barely beating out the Three Farts which seemed more appropriate since one or more of the diggers were constantly passing gas, which in a tight place brought about painful acrimony from the other two.
They suffered from an unusual buildup of gastrointestinal gasses probably caused by eating food unfamiliar to their delicate dietary system. Eating a few field mice skewed on a stick, or roasted grasshoppers might have contributed to the problem, or, unspecified ‘mystery ‘dishes served up by their prior cook who was always being secretive about her cooking ingredients. They always figured it was best not to know.
Everyone had a favorite nickname; something that uniquely set them apart. Allison was called the Prof, a suitable name for her position. Sue, lover of country music, especially the late Buddy Holly’s songs, was called Peggy Sue who seemed to fit her musical personality. So, to overcome this conundrum, of having two similar names, the real Peggy was just simply referred to as Peg. Charlie was, of course the Bird Man. Mike had let it be known that he preferred to sleep in the nude.
Allison recalling names referenced in Eugene Sue’s acclaimed book, the Wandering Jew. Recollecting one of the characters was called Sleepinbuff (Sleep-in-buff). Decided, Mike from then on will be known as Sleepinbuff. Chris loved his wine! So. His moniker became Tippy which is short for Tip-to-Lip. It may have come from the same book, but Allison could not remember.
Back on the digs, love-sick Charlie, to keep his mind off Sara, began thinking about the different variety of birds around the globe and how little he knew about them. Aware of Iowa’s count of over four-hundred and thirty species of Birds—nothing compared to Zambia’s seven-hundred and fifty species. The Iowan state bird, the American Goldfinch. Zambia’s National bird, the African Fish Eagle. To list all the Zambian birds would take many written pages. This is a popular list of bird species and their various major birding habitats: a number of these Charlie saw on his recent bird-watching safari. When he was paying attention; and not keeping his eyes glued on his new love interest, Sara.
In the North Miombo region; Woodland, and upper slopes of Luangwa National Park. Including the Kafue National Park which provides extensive protection for a large tract of habitat biome (a community of plants and animals, having common characteristics for the environment they live in). Birds of mixed species (flocks) may contain 10 to 20 different species of insectivorous (feeding on insects, worms, and other invertebrates) birds. The most conspicuous: Fork-tailed Drongo, and White-fronted Black Chat.
The homes of Shelley’s Drongo and White fronted Francolin. Birds found only on rockier ground. Scattered throughout the Miombo woodlands. Freckled Nightjar, Rock-loving Cisticola, Boulder Chat, Black-cheeked Lovebird, Starling, and the Southern Gray-headed Sparrow. The list goes on. These are considered the favorites of most birding groups: African Pitta, Chaplain’s Barbet, Bohm’s bee-eater, Hooded Vulture, Little bee-eater, Three-banded courser, Verreaux’s eagle owl, Black-cheek, or Checkered lovebirds. To take full advantage of his bird watching passion, Charlie joined the Birding Africa tour group, meeting the ‘new’ love of his life: Sara. She was his Sara (not Helen) of Troy. Trouble Brewing
Allison estimated she had about 3 hours to travel to Lusaka to buy some personal items her team needed; traveling back from Lusaka before it got dark. It was unusually cold that day while standing, waiting for the bus. Not raining which was supposed to be a good sign. She had left her group of ‘dirt diggers’ working. She never had to worry about the dig workers ‘goofing’ off while she was away. Fortunately, her archeology students were completely dedicated to their work. As a team, her students were anxious to keep digging, hoping to unearth that next big discovery.
