zimbabwe/zambia

I'm back from experiencing my first natural wonder of the world: Victoria Falls. my computer is officially broken until i get back to the United States, so I can't include any pictures or videos. Once again, my attempt at story telling won't do justice to this trip so here's a brief overview of what we did.

Once we flew into Zimbabwe we went straight to the border into Zambia to settle in. It was nearly 3pm so we thought we'd hop on the sunset booze cruise on the Zambezi river. We met people from all over the world, brought to this part of Central Africa by the urge to volunteer and search for adventure. We saw hippos and crocodiles and giraffes and all sorts of animals as we sailed cruised. Afterward we sat around a bonfire at the riverbank and where there was a bar awaiting us. The next morning we went to the falls with two of our new friends who were traveling the world. We hiked all around, getting completely drenched...it was incredible, how enormous the waterfall is. We hiked down to the boiling pot, the biggest whirlpool in the world, which was also incredible. Later in the afternoon we took a helicopter tour to see the falls from above, the way something with such immensity should be seen. It's a shame I can't post my pictures...google image?

The next day Katie went to Botswana for safari, Caroline went white water rafting on the Zambezi and I walked with lions in the morning and did an elephant-back safari in the afternoon. In the morning I learned how Africa has had a 90% population decrease since the late 70s, and wildlife refuges raise cubs, then release them into the wild. So these lions we walked with were not drugged, like some tourist companies do for people to walk with them. They were really cute and I got to walk and hold their tails, pet them, etc. We also were lucky to see one of the lions stalk its prey. After that, I laid out by the pool before leaving for safari. Because everyone else in the group came as a couple, spanish traveler, Juan, and I were paired on elephant. We rode through the bush and spotted several animals, stopped by the Zambezi river to drink, etc. Was a great safari.

Later that night we hung out with all the river and safari guides from all over, because our hostel bar is the hangout. I went out with them to a couple of local bars which was quite the experience. It was strange and exciting and local and - ah. It was cool to be the only American there. The next day we left to abseil down the gorge, then we did the flying fox over the gorge...which is basically like wearing a harnest (sp?) and run toward the cliff. You jump off like a diving board and fly across the gorge via zip line, hands free. After this we did the gorge swing which is comparable to bungee jumping, but no bungee once you've reached the end of your fall, you are caught in a swing. I did this once stepping forward off the cliff and once rolling backward off the cliff.

We then crossed the border back into Zimbabwe and went straight to the hostel where there were dogs, pigs, cats, warthogs, roaming freely. Lots of elephant poop at the gas station so guess we just missed another herd. We went to the market and traded old clothes, pens, lotions, the shirt off my back, the bag from my shoulder, etc. with the village people for wooden bowls, statues, necklaces, etc. That evening I participated in another drum circle around a campfire with some local Zimbabwean musicians. This was, of course, like everything on this trip, incredible. I know I'm not being descriptive, but I'll just be using the same words over and over again...

That night Caroline and I went out to a concert for the local people at a school field which featured local Zim musicians. I would guess a few thousand people were there. During the second act, the power went out, so people were dancing and chanting and singing. The Zim guys are some CRAZY dancers...anyway, then one of the guys we were with grabbed a guitar from stage and started playing Bob Marley's Redemption Song. We all held each other and sang in the dark. This was one of those moments where I wish I had magical glasses that everyone I love could see what I'm doing.

The next  morning we went to the falls from the Zimbabwe side....which was a way better view than from Zambia. We hiked around again and took some pictures for the parents...yatta yatta. The COMESA conference of 19 African countries was taking place in Vic Falls and at the airport we ended up seeing the Presidents/Prime Ministers from several countries like Sudan, Swaziland (king), Kenya. Sure we saw them, but had no idea who was who. It was still pretty cool though, having them on the other side of the glass while we watched them walk the red carpet to their big jets, delaying our flight. 

I met the most outgoing, brilliant and fun people in Zambia and Zimbabwe and have already been in contact with them. I really hope to get back some day to volunteer and spend a lot of time there. I definitely recommend traveling to Vic Falls if you ever get the chance....