2 July, Tuesday: Mwana Farm -> Zambian Homestead
- Kenya2Kruger
- Jul 4, 2019
- 4 min read
Todd was up and ready in his cycle kit, keen to join us for a bit today. Slightly hungover, we packed up our things and were ready to get back onto the saddle after a really good 4 days of rest. My head, a bit sore from either the liquor or the knock on the rock, I was still excited to be back on my bike and ready to carry on our journey. Mike, a friend of the Stones who we've spent the last few days with, joined us as well and we finally got Lieva on the saddle. After having rested the last few days, it was really encouraging having a bigger peloton, lead by Todd, rapidly spinning his legs. Carls followed in the car as well with Mom in Madam behind. Todd, only 9 years old, we had a slow start to the day, but it was so beautiful going through the farmland and cycling through the wheat fields. Nick, the 6 year old, also keen to join, got on his bike as well and managed to do 1 km with us. We crossed a gorgeous dam and had Todd the whole way, explaining everything about farming to us. He is so passionate about farming and for his age he is so knowledgable and such a confident mature young boy.
Two hours later, Todd had done 24 km already with us and we were all so impressed and proud of him. He didnt want to get off, but luckily Carls convinced him. Now just myself, Mike and Chris, we were able to pick up the pace and got to Msanza, a very small village where we were able to get rolls for lunch. The town was packed with people and the market was very busy full of all sorts of interesting things on sale. The three of us continued for another 10 km before we found a big shady tree where we stopped for cheese and tomato rolls. We sadly had to say our goodbyes to the Stones and Mike, who left us to continue our trip. We had such an amazing time with Carls and Gregg and their two boys are just the most well mannered, sweetest little guys.
Now just Chris and I, having a bit of blues and finding it hard to carry on after leaving the group. We cycling down a gravel road through a very remote, secluded bushveld. We taking a back route, avoiding the main tar road to Lusaka, which is a bit scary because we have no idea where we going and we just cycling on this random dirt road with no road signs, no shops, no houses, besides the ocassional hut we'd pass, there is just absolutely nothing, just a narrow gravel road with thick indigeous vegetation around us. As the time came for us to start finding a place to camp, we found a small path leading off the road and Chris and I followed it, in hope of finding a safe spot to set up camp. A km down the sandy path, we cycled into a remote homestead where the man of the house very kindly invited us to stay on his property.
Mwiinga, the father, has 9 children and all live together on his property. The homestead has 3 enclosed huts and an open kitchen in the middle and the ground is neaty swept. On the outside there is a large kraal where Mwiinga keeps his livestock and there are wooden home made chicken coops which are sitting on stilts, to keep the snakes out. However, the 30 chickens are all running freely around the house anyways. The family also has a reed storage hut which was packed with monkey nuts and another chicken inside. We never went into the rooms but we were allowed to take pictures and they really made us feel at home, setting up our own tents and cooking our own food. Chris landed up playing football with the boys which they loved and had such fun. We then brought out the RhinoArt pictures and the crayons and we had everyone joining us, even the adults including the grown men enthusiastically participating. Only one family member spoke broken english so it was all translated. This has been my best rhino art experience so far. Having a far more intimate interaction with the kids and spending time with them in their own home, I felt was far more of an impact. This is how we will really make a difference, the children initially were shy but soon opened up and got colouring in. They had never seen a crayon before. Only 2 kids are sent to school because thats all the parents can afford. Omaio, the 16 year old daughter was so incredibly proud of her picture, when her mom arrived home later that evening, she ran to her proudly showing her picture.
Having stayed in a very rural Zambian household was enriching. The family was so respectful towards us. Once we had finished off the fun with the kids we stuck to our camp and they never watched us or intruded on our privacy. They just very kindly let us stay in their environment and let us be. This was very humbling. All of us are now discussing what an incredible experience this is and what a priviledge that we get to experience this.
Cycled: 65.15 km
Time: 4:08 hrs
Ave speed: 15.7 km/hr
Ascent: 188 m
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