Happy Independence Day!

Today is Independence day, Zambia became an independant country in 1964. Originally colonized by Britain, there is very little residual from that time other than the driving on the left side of the road, and very polite people who always address me as Madame even though I am a 22 year old kid from Canada, but hey, I'll take it.

On my way to the Internet cafe this morning, I passed thousands of people on their way to festivals and celebrations to mark the Independence of the country. My roommate and I were the only white people in sight, and we received many inquisitive faces looking at us as we moved through the crowd. The children often run up and say Hello Musungas (white person) and run off giggling to their friends. It is very fun and endearing.

I think everyone in the city is out celebrating this day. There is live music that gives me goosebumps, the singers are incredible and vibrant. There is drumming that would alter the beat of your heart. The dancers move in ways that have me convinced they have extra vertebra which would explain their ability to shake their hips at the speed of light. The rhythm exists inside their bodies.

There are circ-du-soleil groups all around arousing oooo's and awww's from the audience. The groups consist of older men to young tiny children, they have their faces painted and wear bright pieces of clothing. They look like fireworks when they throw themselves into incredible postures and formations.

Beside the cafe I am at, there is a man juggling with fire, and I kid you not he spit fire 10 ft in the air. All of the children have their faces painted bright yellow,green, and red, they look like little warriors ready for battle. The colors contrasted with their black skin is gorgeous.

The hot sun is hanging in the cloudless sky laughing at all of the festivities and continues to bath us in heat.

There are no worries on a day like today.