Short Cuts

I have been in Lusaka to be able to travel from Point A to Point B in the areas that I frequent with a general sense of where I am going and the route I am supposed to take. Occasionally this involves some guess work because, although some streets have names on the map, there are almost no signs to identify these names in the real world. Indeed, I pride myself that only once in my frequent travels (and this was on my first day) have I had to stop and ask for directions.

Nevertheless, my sense of the land pales in comparison with my colleagues and friends. I have come to learn that the main route is never an acceptable mode of transport to the average Lusakan. There is always a short cut. I have never gone anywhere with a Zambian in the compound without being told that there is a short cut. Not only is there always a short cut, but it seems that one can never take the same short cut twice – this not only helps to identify one’s prowess as a finder of short cuts but also makes it nearly impossible for me to remember the short cut for my own use. In the compounds, a short cut generally consists of constantly weaving back and forth along paths and roads of various sizes, between houses, and across narrow bridges until one suddenly finds oneself at the destination.

I am occasionally suspicious about these short cuts – they always have many intricate steps but sometimes don’t seem to be a whole lot shorter than the main route. Often I think that the purpose of the short cut is for my host to demonstrate their impeccable knowledge of their surroundings. This being said, however, there is tremendous potential for shortcuts when there is no concept of trespassing on another’s property and when roads and paths carve through the compound in every which way. I just hope that some day I will be going somewhere with someone and I can say, “ah, I know a short cut!” and lead a twisting trail through the depths of the compound.