Also I wanted to see the new bridge, which now accompanies the old single lane suspension one built in 1939 that served us on its own for seventy years.
But I was disappointed. It took just as long as with the old system and the officials seemed confused about what processes should be followed. It took ninety minutes, the duration of a world cup game, for a team of people to tell us we had to pay a carbon tax. When we eventually escaped from the border area we had no less that four check points and at each one, except the last, we were drilled and scrutinised. At one point we were asked if we had a triangle.
Strange for an ordinary vehicle like ours we actually had one. They then went down their mental list and asked us if we had a fire extinguisher and since we didnt they wanted to fine us the equivalent of US$90. And it was to be no better on the way back. Again there was confusion about what was required and at one point we had to turn round and retrace our steps to the office for a stamp they had forgotten to give us.
Free at last, on our way up, I looked forward to the marvellous new road I had heard of. Indeed it is there and a magnificent piece of engineering it is. But before you reach it and after you leave it you have to endure several kilometres of potholes the likes of which are rare even in Zimbabwe. The marvellous new road must have cost millions and clearly they have run out of money to do the other parts. But a couple of days work and a few thousand is all that would be needed to patch up those huge potholes and soften the contrast between the super new and the dreadful old.
The purpose of our visit was a celebration and that went wonderfully with all the welcome and warmth you associate with Zambia. I only choose the headline above to somehow highlight the inconsistency which to my mind blunts the whole experience of a visit north. The things I write of would be simple to change. They would cost virtually nothing. But for some reason no one thinks of them. And as a background to it all dozens of trucks linger on both sides of the river waiting sometimes for weeks.
Meanwhile improving our economies and ways of life continues to remain just a wish.
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