Last Morning In Zimbabwe

Sunday 30 September 2007

I have to write about this day…such a memory to keep!

Kesse and I were to be picked up this morning at 5:30. As I lay in bed slightly awake, I heard a car horn outside, a radio blaring, then someone rattling the gate. Voices. I checked my watch. 4:42am! It couldn’t possibly be our ride this early! I woke up Kesse (who was not amused), heard Eva going out to the gate, threw on a skirt, and walked outside to see the truck, Tatenda, and Talent – all smiles. What are you doing here so early? It’s better to be early than late, said Talent.

So Kesse and I motivated. Eva had already put a candle in the bathroom and was preparing bath water, so I told her no bath. She did make us tea, which we gulped down. Kenny and Tafadzwa showed up close to 5:30 (right on time!). Kenny brought two of his paintings for Kesse and me. I was very touched!

So here we were again, the crew and the truck. Instead of Harry, Rainius was driving. I got a blanket for those riding in the back – Kesse, Kenny and Tafadzwa. We started off, and I asked Talent if they had been up all night. Talent had gone to Tatenda’s at 2 am. They were working on the truck – new air filter to hopefully correct the problem we’d been having for the last two days. The truck basically had no power and would only move at a snails’ pace.

So things were rolling right along for the first few minutes. Then…putter, putter…the truck began to die. Kesse had the funniest expression on her face. Uh oh! We pulled to the side of the road and all got out. But then Rainius got it started and we piled back in and started toward the airport again. Not too much further, it began to die again. Putt, putt, putt. Talent was talking to Harry on the phone giving him our location. Just as we sputtered to a stop, here came Harry to the rescue in his car! What a welcome sight!

We couldn’t all fit in the car, so quick goodbyes to Kenny and Tafadzwa. Tatenda, Talent, Kesse and I piled into the car and Harry sped us on our way. It was now 6:10, and I was only slightly concerned about making my 7:30 flight. We finally arrive at the airport around 6:30, find a parking space, and walk into the airport to find lines of people everywhere. I discover the computers are down and that BA has just started checking people in by hand. Wow. I’m at the end of a line of 200 or more people. It isn’t moving. Talent and Tatenda stand with me for over an hour as we inch forward. Kesse and Harry wait somewhere else. At about 7:30, surprise! In walk Kenny and Tafadzwa! They’ve made it in the truck with Rainius! Big smiles.

Kesse finds her que and stands for her flight to Nairobi. One of the clips on her backpack has broken, so Tafadzwa tries to repair it. I guess they got it fixed…I hope!

I finally get to the counter at about 8:30. All the papers are being hand-written. The moment of truth – how much does my big red bag weigh? It’s filled with mbiras and sculpture for Ancient Ways. Talent has predicted 50 kg and I’m thinking I’ll have to take stuff out to get it under the weight limit. I set it on the scale…32.2 kg! Whew! The man lets me slide. I have my ticket!

By now, Kesse has gotten her boarding pass and has said goodbye to all of us and headed for her 9:00 flight. Now it’s my turn to really say goodbye for the last time. The boys and I share a group hug, heads together. Now I am Amai Tumbuka and these are my sons. I couldn’t be more proud! I also say goodbye to Harry and Rainius, and then it’s time to go. Now I can let my tears flow as I watch them all walk through the airport doors.