Notes from Zambia

Jan 8-Jan 13

The last week has just flown by with final staff interviews, a trip to Livingstone and Botswana, and our goodbyes. We spent much of our last days doing things that we enjoy: going to Coffee Talk Café, spending time with friends, and traveling. It has been a wonderful 5.5 weeks and I am sad to leave. Its so hard to say goodbye when you have had such an amazing experience. Its hard to put into words. When I arrive home, people will be asking, “How was it?!� and “Tell me about your experience!� But I struggle with the answer. Its too hard to explain the impact that this country has on me! I am happy that Stephanie was here so I have a witness of its greatness. Plus, she makes a great traveling partner. Always up for an adventure! And an adventure we had!!!

We booked a camping trip from JollyBoys (in Livingstone) to Botswana. We left Lusaka at 1930hrs and had an 8 hour bus ride. With the hot weather, packed bus, and gazillion potholes in the road, we barely slept and arrived at 3am on Friday morning. Our bus to Botswana was coming at 6:45am for us. But despite the lack of sleep, we were up on time and ready to experience the wild of Botswana. Our trip included a ferry ride over the Chobezi River into Botswana, a riverboat ride, two safaris, and camping in the Chobe National Park.

Picture! Heading to Botswana via minibus!

We saw many “rocks� (or hippos!), a leopard (yes!), herds of giraffes and buffalo, and hundreds of colorful birds. The hippos were bathing/soaking in the water while the giraffes were eating. During one of our morning game drives, we saw hundreds of buffalo come out of the bush. Each one ran into this swamp like water hole to drink and bathe. Baboons and birds were near. During the night I heard a lion’s roar and during the drive the next day, we tracked a lion’s prints and found it had been chasing a buffalo! Although we did not see the aftermath of this chase, I was happy to know an event like this happened so close to our campsite. We were experiencing National Geographic and Animal Discovery. On our boat ride, we crossed into Namibian waters. Therefore, on this African trip, Steph and I have ventured into Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe (on the border bridge where I did bunji and the water at Lake Kariba), Botswana, and Nimibia. Zambia is still my favorite place. We returned to Jollyboys on Saturday morning and the rest of our trip consisted of relaxing by the pool, playing table tennis, and heading to a local club.

Wild life

Giraffe getting a drink of water (and showing off or saying hello!)

Botswana landscape

hippos

giraffes in late afternoon

Buffalo herd

I have talked about Amanda’s project in Wisconsin. On Monday (Jan 12) I went to Revarand Zimba’s Transit Home where students were having there first day of class. I introduced the project to the kids (age ranged from 2-10), handed out paper, pencils and crayons and they went to town! Unfortunately many did not write, so letters were not written, but boy could they draw and color! I am sure that Amanda’s class in Green Lake will enjoy them very much! When they were finished we handed out the letters and pictures to the students. Translation was done and smiles filled the room.

Students working on their pictures

Students enjoying the pictures and letters from Ms. Guay's class!

The class, Rev Zimba, and I waving to Amanda and the students at Green Lake

Also, I received word from Amanda that her class raised $150 to go towards mosquito nets for children in Africa! Again, if you want to learn more about this project, head to Amanda’s website at:
http://www.glsd.k12.wi.us/faculty/aguay/mosquitonets.cfm

Our last days were tough. The trip seemed to be coming to an end quicker than expected or desired. On our last two nights, we had Ethiopian food and then a dinner at the Farm. It was so hard to say goodbye to everyone.

Steph with our Ethiopian dishes

Steph and I walking to the bus stop for the last time…

Us at the airport…

Some final notes:
I have bed bug bites all over my face, neck, and arms. It is not pretty. It basically looks like I have the chicken pox.

Thank you to everyone for all your encouraging comments, messages, and emails. I am so grateful to have supportive family and friends.

Zambia, the real Africa, I will be back!