Curious what I listen to in Zambia?...

     I still love classic rock from home, but rarely listen to it here in Zambia. I now have new music to add to my repertoire. This music will follow me back to the States as it will remind me of the times spent here when dancing at night clubs, hearing the music playing at the bar by the roadside in my village, and my cab driver plays my favorite reggae songs by Eric Donaldson.

    I made up a sample playlist for you to listen to and get an idea of the popular songs played during my stay here in Zambia. Some is referred to as Zampop, which is played in bars. Reggae is popular in Zambia, and Nigerian bands are commonly played. 

     Unfortunately I am unable to locate traditional Kaonde music on the internet which is a favorite of my host father. I can hear him driving home blasting this music on his truck stereo with him singing along.

     These songs mean a lot to me. They remind me of certain situations. Every time I get into the cab of my favorite cab driver, he automatically plays, 'Cherry Oh Baby' for me on repeat for the entire ride. 

     Early in my service I barhopped with my friend Kenny and danced all night to many of the songs on this list. One song, Eminado, was played at a local bar in Mwinilunga where we were pulled out onto the dance floor with our chairs, sat down in a circle and held hands with the people next to us and did a kind of wave-like motion with our arms traveling around the circle. 

     I encourage you to listen to and watch the video, 'Am I Wrong'. This song is about village kids and the video is filmed in Southern Province in Zambia. This song leaves me feeling melancholy reminding me of the limited opportunities village kids have. 

     Please listen to some of these songs to get a taste of what I listen to here. Music makes people happy. I am happy listening to this music and I am sure I will listen to it years to come to bring back some of the feelings I had while serving in Peace Corps.

                                                                                                                 








(www.schedule.sxsw.com)

Aye...Davido (Nigerian)























(www.reggae-vibes.com)

Cherry Oh Baby...Eric Donaldson (Jamaican)

(www.usatoday.com)

Am I Wrong...Nico and Vinz (African/Norwegian)

(www.redpepper.co.ug)

Eminado...Tiwa Savage Ft. Don Jazzy (Nigerian)

(www.trusted-media-files.eu)

Chishala...Pentagon Ft B1 (Zambian)

(www.igihe.com)

AmaRulah...Roberto (Zambian)

(www.premiumtimes.com)

Collabo...PSquare (Nigerian)

(www.sonichits.com)

Hangover song...Dj Vetkuk vs Mahoota (South African)

My interview with Harrison; the village carpenter...

My first cobra encounter...

     Chelsi (a fellow Peace Corps Volunteer), and I were sitting on the veranda in front of my hut. We were discussing my disappointment of the lack of large animals in Zambia, such as elephants and lions, which can only be viewed in national parks. 

     Chelsi commented how wildlife is all around us; birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects...and to observe these animals is an opportunity which we shouldn't ignore, and rather appreciate. My being a nature lover and bird watcher for many years, I agreed with her.

     As we discussed this Chelsi noticed a snake under a thick patch of ornamental plants a little over a meter away from us. We were excited to see an interesting living being we could observed closely. We both agreed it is probably harmless, both of us being in the serene state-of-mind of observing nature and loving all creatures.

     The snake eventually ventured away from the cover of the plants into open area. We both got up to get a closer look, but kept a safe distance. 

     The snake then reared up and displayed its hood. I didn't hesitate and ran inside my to retrieve my lukasu (hoe).

We did not get a picture of the actual snake, but this is a close resemblance of what it looked like.

     I chopped the cobra in several pieces. It was a young snake, maybe a foot long, but still, I had to do it. A bite could kill me, a child, or my pets. Or it could end up in my hut! 

     This is my first encounter with a cobra. I have heard of other Volunteers' encounters with them so I have been aware I could run into one someday. 

     I know bigger cobras are out there nearby, but they are smart; they have survived the fate of the lukasu for many years by hiding in the tall grass. This youngster hasn't developed the smarts to do so, unfortunately.

     This is the third snake I've killed living in the village. All snakes are killed when found because of the high numbers of venomous snakes that occur here in sub-Sahara Africa . 

     Snake encounters are common especially when rain season arrives. The grass regrows and food is abundant. 

     There are also many snake bites during this time. People who forage the forests for food, such as mushrooms can get bit and never return home. Black mambas are common and once a person is bitten they have 20 minutes before they die.

     I avoid the bush and every step I take around my hut I am scanning the ground for snakes. It is a part of life here. 

Back home I see trouble...

     I have wanted to write my thoughts on what is going on in the States. Even though my main focus is my village and country I've been living for two years, I still browse news feeds to keep up with what is going on back home. 

     I don't like what I see and I am certain I am not alone. 

     I rarely discuss what is going on back home with anyone here. A monologue goes on silently in my head and I make it a point to see all views from different sides of my co-Americans on social media. I like to form an educated opinion, this is why it is important for me to see more than one side. I still lean to the left and I always will. 

     I am seeing a lot of hatred. There is a lot of name calling and belittling others on who they are and what they think. For those who don't have tolerance for others, remember, we live in a country founded on different ideas, but worked together to form a great nation. 

     The division going on in my country will only destroy it. I wish everyone could see it. It doesn't mean people desert their view points, but to find common ground with one another. I know, this is a cliche used by liberal hippies, but give it some thought. I'll bet many grew up listening to Crosby, Stills and Nash, John Lennon, and Jimi Hendrix. They all stood for peace in the world. There really isn't anything wrong with that. If people continue hating the 'other side', then we will backslide and there will never be peace in our own country or the world we live in. 

     As far as the gun issue is concerned I have a few things to say about it. I see posts on Facebook with the second amendment pasted. Two words stand out: 'well regulated' which I interpret as also meaning: responsible. Gun ownership is not well regulated in our country. And I'm not referring to the mass shootings and criminals who obtain guns illegally or legally for that matter. I'm talking about law-abiding citizens who do have the right to bear arms, which I agree have the right, but the irresponsibility of leaving guns out where their children get a hold of them and either injure or kill themselves or accidentally harm others. I see this as a big problem in our society. If people are going to exercise their right to bear arms they have to do it responsibly. 

     Another issue pertaining to guns is the fear some people have about having their second amendment right taken away. I, for one, do not want my second amendment right taken away even though I don't own a gun. A fear (of having our guns taken away) is fed by extremists, politicians, the uninformed, and lobbyists whose intention is to increase gun sales by attacking proposed laws. Fear is what drives our overzealous need for guns in America and an unreasonable and unnecessary state-of-mind that goes along with this, for example: 'Fight for our right to take back our land!', 'I'm stockpiling my guns when the dems come to take them away and I'm ready to fight!'. Really? This is ludicrous!

     But, these are only my thoughts over here in Zambia. 

     Some may call me a 'bleeding heart liberal' for helping people other than my own country, but in case you don't realize, I am serving my country under the United States of America government. I am a civil servant and an ambassador for my country. I represent the American people in another part of the world. The the skills and insight I am obtaining living in a developing country are unique and I plan to use them when I come back home. I want a strong United States of America and am proud to be an American. 

     So, please, think critically and aim for peace for ourselves and others. We can accomplish this if we work together and abandon division among ourselves