Blog #3 - Zambia & Victoria Falls

Blog #3 – Almost in Africa…

So, I last left you on the half-day flight to Johannesburg, South Africa…we got there… Awkwardly, we were woken up at 5 in the morning on the plane to have breakfast and prepare for landing. Basically, that equaled cutting my perceived (and already limited) rest down and also providing one of the most wretched wake ups ever! However, after we had some food – which was an interesting cooked breakfast of eggs and spinach pinwheel roll and ‘fresh’ apple slices that came in a industrial plastic bag we finally got off the plane and (after months of planning and years of dreaming ) we were standing on African soil…well, at least African tarmac or airport runway.

We never made it out of the airport – with only a few hours between out connecting flight, we basically got to explain and socialize with the other local travelers. Perhaps this was for the best, as the current situations are less than ideal, but it seemed so restricting to finally be in Africa, but not see the country!

We took advantage of the comfortable airport seating and available food and just relaxed until the time came to board our next (and almost last flight!) We had to ride a ground shuttle from the airport terminal out to the plane on the tarmac – which was not that small, but a tight enough squeeze to get six people across. We had a ninety minute flight from South Africa to Livingston, Zambia, which was quick and painless enough – we only got in trouble for playing Euchre during the safety presentation and also had to endure consuming the blandest sandwiches of life (but don’t get me wrong, we were grateful to have food!). We landed, very similar to central American countries, and got off the plane and walked by foot to a small and quaint airport of Livingstone, Zambia (the one-road town next to Victoria Falls!).

After waiting in a slow government induced line to pay for a VISA to get into the country (of which we would only use for the day) – yes, slow lines exist across the world apparently – we finally got our bags and loaded them into the car that would drive us to our accommodations for the evening. We stayed at the New Fairmont Hotel (yes the international chain)… however, do not be deceived, while it was nice and a solid roof over our heads and a locked door, it didn’t quite compare to the Fairmont downtown Toronto or elsewhere!

After getting into our rooms, we basically crashed and had to get ready for our first big African adventure. At this point, it still hadn’t really hit what we were doing and me where we were – getting to this point in the trip was exhausting and also quick, that I hadn’t gotten my bearings together yet. We ended up watching a brief bit of ‘Project Runway’, which proved two things: 1) North American TV culture has permeated all corners of the world (which can only mean to direct there opinions of us!), and 2) after traveling for close to two days straight, even trashy stereotypic TV is enjoyable and not worth the energy to argue over. There was no hot water for my shower, nor enough water pressure to get the shower to work – so I had a makeshift sponge bath with the coldest water of life! The price you pay for cleanliness.

Our tour guide driver picked us up at 3 o’clock to take us to Victoria Falls. We entered the Zambian Victoria Falls Park and had the chance to walk around the information centre as well as above and around the Falls themselves. Victoria Falls has 10 million liters of water flow over it during the peak rainy season – almost twice the amount of Niagara Falls. Victoria falls is 1.7 kilometers wide and a 108 meter drop (nearly four times the area of our Falls back home!) The raw power and awe of this should-be natural wonder was daunting!

We walked first to see the water and rivers that poured into the falls, both a shockingly large area, but also full of very picturesque and elegant currents and rapids. Following that we wrapped around the front of the falls, slowly working our way farther down. At no point in our walks could you ever completely see the start and end of the falls and I didn’t ever see the bottom! They were a sprawling gigantic scene of rocks, plant growth and wind!

As we wove our wave up and down and around the twisted and forest-ridden paths, not a single person came out dry. If we weren’t spontaneously caught in a brief shower of rain caused by the amazing amount of water in the air, then we were drenched when we walked over Knife Point (a small bridge) that was so close to the Falls that you literally felt like you had entire buckets being poured over you as you quickly tried to run by.

It was an amazing scene – so much life, so much natural power – such an underappreciated and forgotten aspect to our common and every-day lives. Africa is a place of such natural beauty and so much fundamental power – it is hard to think of all of the problems they face and the toll that they take on the lives of those involved! However, today was meant as an experience and learning, we are really only on Day#1 of the trip, and while I am amazing with what we have already seen and done, I cannot fathom what is yet still to come!

The rest of our night was spent relaxing and sampling some of the local regional brews. Mosi – a Zambian brew – was the drink of the night! We toasted to finally being in Africa and having such an unbelievable first day!

One of the evening highlights may have been Laurenne smashing the toilet lid at the New Fairmont Hotel. The toilet had broken somehow… and would no longer flush. So, I had to reach my hand into the toilet and eventually hook it all up together… I know quite unbelievable; who knew I had these skills, let alone actually need to use them! Then it was off to bed for a well need and much postponed sleep.

I am really glad with the trip so far. The whole group is amazing and I am really enjoying being a part of it and talking with everyone. I feel a lot better about being here in Africa and that after all the planning and talking about it – I am here. I can’t believe it and I can’t believe it will be my home for the next three months.