Choma: The Copperbelt's Forgotten Cousin
okay, so i landed in choma after a long, dusty bus ride from lusaka and honestly? i wasn't sure what to expect. the numbers on my weather app were kinda wild - 16.97°c, feels like 17.28°c, 98% humidity, and pressure at 1015. basically, it's sweater weather with a side of sweat. i just checked and it's...like that right now, hope you like that kind of thing.
walking around town felt like stepping into a slower version of life. no one's rushing. the main street's got a couple of small shops, a few local bars, and the kind of vibe where everyone knows everyone. i heard that the best *nshima in town is served at mama chitalu's - someone told me that her secret is in the charcoal fire, but who knows? could just be drunk advice.
if you get bored, livingstone and lusaka are just a short drive away, but honestly? choma's got its own rhythm. i spent an afternoon at the local market, picking up some hand-carved wooden spoons and chatting with a woman selling dried kapenta. she laughed when i tried to bargain in bemba - said i sounded like a toddler.
here's the thing: choma doesn't try to impress you. it just is. and that's why i liked it. the kind of place where you can sit under a mango tree, sip on a cold mosi beer, and watch the world go by without feeling guilty about doing nothing.
for more on zambia's hidden gems, check out TripAdvisor's guide to off-the-beaten-path destinations or read up on local customs at Culture Trip. and if you're into slow travel, Nomadic Matt's blog* has some great tips on embracing the pace of places like choma.
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