Madiba. Mandela. Father. Husband. Leader. Grace. Hero. Spirit. Humanity. LOVE.

All words to describe the one and only Nelson Mandela.

In 2009, I travelled to South Africa to learn about a country that enchanted me. For whatever reason, I was fascinated with the history, the landscape, the culture, and to some extent, the history and the heroes behind the Apartheid struggle.

I read a lot to prepare for my trip - about the gold, the Dutch, the history, and about the greats: Oliver Tambo, Steve Biko, and of course, of Mandela.

Just before I was to leave, my buddy gifted me with the best present I could ask for - A Long Walk to Freedom - Mandela's autobiography.

I remember reading the book on the flight over, curious as to how I could feel in his home country. I can recall being so excited and highlighting all kinds of inspiring words and messages from his book, somewhere over the ocean.

He possessed diligence, patience, and major discipline, which was so opposite of everything I was up to that point. It inspired me. Messages like, "your spirit can be full even when your stomach is empty" prepared me for what I was embarking upon. In looking back at the tattered copy of that book that I still cherish, I flip open to sentences such as these:

• "It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another," 
• "Courage was not the absence of fear, but triumph over it," 
• "Love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite,"
• "I would see a glimmer of humanity in one of the guards, perhaps for just a second, but it was enough to reassure me and keep me going. Man's goodnes is a flame that can be hidden, but never extinguished,"
  and
• "Perhaps it requires such depth of oppression to create such heights of character." 

I realize these words and ideas have stayed with me in silent whispers as I've lived out many other adventures since then in my life.

In Chapter 77, he talked of his home at 8115 Orland West in Soweto - the home he shared with Winnie Mandela before going to prison for 27 years. I told myself I would see Soweto if I could (later, I did).

Once I landed (in the Oliver Tambo airport in Johannesburg) and got to the conservation I was working on, I can recall eating breakfast looking out over the serene bankenveld, wondering what his veld had looked like. Wondering how he felt about life and love and all the issues you have when you are a 23 year old.

I can distinctly remember how over the top excited I was when I finished the book the very morning that I was to go on my Soweto / Apartheid tour.

Other than the fact that I got lost for three hours driving the highways of Jo'burg prior to finding the tour guide (scariest moment of my life to date), it was the most extraordinary day. We visited the Hector Pieterson Memorial Museum (from the 1976 uprising), we saw the South Africa Bill of Rights, we toured the Apartheid Museum, and we visited Mandela's home, #8115 Orlando West. I can still feel the pulse of Soweto in my veins.

I arrived home to the conservation so excited and glowing about that day that I was nicknamed "Mandela lover" by the other volunteers.

In my opinion, not the worst nickname one can receive.

This summer I have talked about getting a tattoo of the word UBUNTU. It is a word that means so much to me and it all I am who I am because of who we all are." It is the African concept of humanity. It means that I see others struggles in my struggles and I love others for all of their imperfections. That if I have one dollar and you have nothing, I share my fifty cents. It is more than a word; it is a spirit, a sense.

To me, Nelson Mandela is the symbol of humanity. He brought light to so much injustice. He suffered greatly, more than most of us could ever know, yet he always forgave. He was humble. He worked hard. He loved deeply. Isn't that what we're all here for?

He inspired an entire nation to freedom and showed us the true meaning of forgiveness. He inspired the world.

And in doing so, he inspired me.

Madiba, you are one of the true great inspirations of this modern world. And you will continue to teach me lessons and inspire me over the course of my entire life. As the world gathers at your bedside, we inspire you to live well or let go freely. You've left this world an entirely different - and better - place.

 -xo

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Mal D'Africa

When I got to Sicily after visiting Africa two years ago, I was a bit of a mess. My two girlfriends were VERY sick of hearing me talk about Africa and how homesick I felt for the land, which I myself thought was bizarre.

When I tried to describe it to my friends Italian family, Zia told me of the term "mal d'africa" which is a common Italian/French phrase. "Africa sickness refers to the feeling of nostalgia for those who have visited Africa and want to go back."

Excuse me while I have a really short and ridiculous pity party. In the midst of my day today I found a great blog on Rwanda and became enthralled for about an hour reading articles on the genocide and someone volunteering there. I dug out the book I read last year, "We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families." I went back through some of my highlights and notes and got really heartsick. Two years ago, as I left Africa, I promised myself I'd get to Rwanda and back to Zimbabwe. And now, hmmm, I'm going on a major trip, one that I am SUPER pumped about, but it's not back to the wonderful, soulful land of Afrique.

Bah. Silly I know. But I really, really miss it. Maybe saying it out loud will mean in the next two years I'll be back there. Maybe India will capture my heart just like Africa did. I know my heart will be open to it.

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The End of a Decade

A decade of conservation volunteers later, KlipKop Conservation - the conservation I worked on while in South Africa, is withdrawing from the volunteer program as Tony & Mary (the FABULOUS) couple who run it are retiring.

I just wanted to say how appreciative I am of their time devoted to this special place on earth. I feel so lucky to have been a part of their little piece of heaven.

Not only that, but while I was there they were involved in a bit of an ongoing battle with a company who was looking to develop near their land, damaging water and land resources close to the conservation. Looks like they've had some positive progress here and if you'd like to read about it: http://www.klipkop.co.za/templates/DefeatDev1209.asp?Name=Tamara.

That's all for now. LOVE

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Inspired. alllwaaays.

Wooooowza. Was just talking to a friend and thinking about my week next week and this is what I discovered: moulon rouge the ballet Saturday, volleyball Sunday along with a zombie walk, business trip to Brandon Monday, followed by a board meeting at night for a new board I'm sitting on - Nine Circles, Volunteer for 3 hours at Siloam Mission Tues. night (and am excited to be bringing a good friend to it!), have a training Wed. night for work, volleyball Thursday night, a wedding reception followed by a vampire party Friday night and volunteering for unicef saturday and then it's halloweeeen night. Followed by volleyball Sunday morning. I AM SLOWLY GOING CRAZY. But it feels good. But draining, but a good kind of draining.

Then yesterday I get a large envelope in the mail and it has come from Africa. I look inside and see a Certificate of Recognition for 'volunteer' contribution from ZOTE Worldwide...the organization that YOU all helped me purchase the backpacks, books, and school supplies for. http://www.zoteworldwide.com/

The certificate was personally signed by Nyawira, the amazing woman I met while there and her husband, the Chief. I wasn't expecting the package, but in that instant I got a surge of energy and tears because when we are tired or stressed, we have to just keep on going!!! People say I'm crazy, I say THEY ARE.

Yah, this is kind of rambling, so don't pay much attention. Just inspired, again, always. LOVE

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KlipKop wins the Best Biodiversity Conservation Practice!!

Just a little part of the recent KlipKop newsletter...I feel grateful to have even played a tiny part on this amazing conservation!

In June, Klipkop won the Best Biodiversity Conservation Practice for a Gauteng Conservancy 2009. This was awarded at the AGM of the Gauteng Conservancy and Stewardship Association.

This award is sponsored by the Endangered Wildlife Trust. EWT is a highly respected conservation organisation dedicated to preserving threatened species and ecosystems in southern Africa since 1973.
The rather magnificent trophy (pictured left) is ours to keep for the year. As it looks far too good to hand back, we'll be returning to defend our title!

We thank all of our volunteers for the part they have played in helping us maintain the Reserve in excellent condition. You have done - and continue to do - very valuable work.

There is actually more good news ... but we'll keep you in suspense for a little longer. Stay tuned...
Tony Prince
Proprietor and Manager, Klipkop

Read the full story about our award

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Home!

Well it's official...I am home in Canada and have spent a beautiful week with my family and friends. Flew in Monday and had a delicious Italian meal at Buccacino's with my parents, woke up Tuesday in my OWN bed, walked down to get coffee, walked to the Forks, made breakfast and ate in on the porch... appreciating absolutely every minute of it. I do have my own little dolce vita here, and am happy and content to be home, although I will treasure every moment of the trip...it was just the beginning..

One of my best friends got married Saturday, so there was a reunion of all of us girls from high school (sans Deborah..we missed you) and it felt SO GOOD to be reunited. The wedding was spectacular and I feel really lucky to be surrounded by so many amazing friends.

So, I've spent the week at home, baking with my mom, spending time at the lake on the pontoon boat, today we are going golfing...I have a couple meetings this week in Winnipeg and come back next weekend as my sister is coming home! So excited. This means that over the next 2 weeks I'll be getting all of my pictures organized and by next week, I should have a link here in my blog to a slideshow with pictures and videos for all to watch...stay tuned!

In the meantime, I've finally started running again and today was running to this song and teared up a bit, had to share the lyrics...please download it -- it's Xavier Rudd "Better People" and has a beautiful message. I am lucky, as July 8th I get to see him at Folk Fest in Winnipeg!!

People saving whales
And giving your thanks to our seas
My respect to the ones in the forest
Standing up for our old trees

Them giving food to the hungry
Giving hope to the needy
Giving life to a baby, giving care for free
'Cause there is freedom around us

We have everything we need and I will care for you
'Cause you care for me
And we all have opinions, some of them get through
But there's better people with more good to do, good to do

What I have could be a message
Or just some words from my heart
My respect to the ones making changes
For all the lives, they'll give their all

Like giving food to the hungry
Giving hope to the needy
Giving life to a baby, giving care for free
'Cause there is freedom around us

We have everything we need and I will care for you
'Cause you cared for me
And we all have opinions, some of them get through
But there's better people with more good to do, good to do

When our world keeps spinning round and round it goes
Mother Nature keeps spreading its disease
And our children keep growing up with
What they know through what we teach and what they see

And so only a question of the time we have
And the lives that our children need
As they can only keep growing up with
What they know through what we teach and what they see

Like giving food to the hungry
Giving hope to the needy
Giving life to a baby, giving care for free
'Cause there is freedom around us

We have everything we need and I will care for you
'Cause you cared for me
And we all have opinions, some of them get through
But there's better people with more good to do, good to do
Oh good to do

LOVE! I will try to update soon...xo

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Prost from Germany!

I'm sitting at my cousin Cari's in Munich and finally have the chance to let everyone know what's been going on in the past week or so!

Cape Town was ahhhmazing. I fell head over heels in love with the city, the mountains, the oceans, the vineyards, my backpackers (Long Street...best ever), the people there, the music, the energy. I can't say enough about it. It seemed that everyone you met had been travelling through and decided to stay, or they were born there and have never left!

These pictures won't do justice to my time spent there and I don't have a ton of time to explain, but here are a couple...

The view of the mountains as I got off the plane:



The first night there I grabbed sushi and wine and here's the view from our balcony. I grew to looove Zula Bar, the bar you can see across the street.



Met some people at the backpackers and went to a "footie" game at the Dubliner, an Irish pub down the street. Then we went on over to Zula Bar and danced the night away...these are just some of the awesome people from the hostel. We're being dorks...



Friday I walked down for breakfast to the waterfront with some others from the hostel, had fish & chips and cider on the water and went to an African market.

Later I had sushi with two new friends that are awesome, Kara & Brian.

We are really cheesey...

Saturday was my vineyard tour to Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Wellington and Paarl. Let me just say I was in heaven...needless to say:

We had Champagne for breakfast, and started the day with our guide opening the bottle with a sword:

Our delightful little group...

Played chess and danced on the street that night, and then the next day Brian and I decided to hike Lionshead. The hike was insane for me, you went up spiraling around the mountain which was fine, but then you started going straight up sheer rock. It was very technical, lots of using your hands to lift you up, there were ladders and even chains to pull yourself up the rock at some points. But, we did it!!! And um, yes, these pictures do describe why this is where I would like to live...

The people at Longstreet Backpackers are unreal. This is the hostel I was staying at, the bar was quaint and cute, it was built into a courtyard and had two balconies overlooking the street, right down on the area where you can eat any type of meal, experience all cultures and shop. I spent hours in a bookstore there one day (surprise), spent even more in a market, just talking to people on the street as everyone is so sweet.

My last night I went for dinner with Kara to an Ethiopian restaurant and then Giggles (super sweet girl from Russia) bought me a quick shot before leaving.

Needless to say, I am pretty heartbroken about leaving Africa. I know I've raved about it a million times, but no words can suffice for what I felt about that place. I felt more at home with the locals or walking down the street than I ever thought possible. I felt like I was drawn to this place because that's where I was meant to be, at least for a little while. Nothing can beat my friends and family at home, but forever, I've found the place I feel so connected to and will continue to go back and experience new parts as often as I can.

And then I arrived in Amsterdam. Seeing the girls faces waiting at the gate was amazing (and Dan's too!) But, it was freeeezing. 5 weeks in Africa and then we come in to maaaybe 12 degrees and drizzle, rain, drizzle...this fed my heartwrenching heartbreak from leaving Africa! But, being with the girls meant the world to me so we had a good couple of days.

We visited the Heinekein Brewery and "got brewed"...took a candlelit wine tour on the canals and found tons of cute little pubs. Our hostel was disgusting and overfilled, but the bar was cute and it was close to the nightlife/red light district. The architecture is unreal. Oh, and I took this picture of all the "coffeeshops" and "cafes" for those of you who will appreciate them very much...you know who you are:

Took the night train to Munich a couple nights ago where we met my cousin Cari and her boyfriend Christian who have been UNBELIEVEABLE to us...they are the sweetest couple and the greatest hosts.

Our first day we went to visit Olympia Park, and saw Munich from 185 metres up. Saw the swimming pool where the Olympics were held and it made me want to get back into swimming so bad! We went to the Rock Museum was...saw Bob Dylans harmonica...Freddie Mercury's pants...etc etc. Played Spirit in the Sky on the jukebox and had a little dance. Then we found a little pub by the water to have some wine and beers and took the metro back to Cari's where we had an amazing homecooked dinner and a singalong with our resident rock star Christian. It was just what we needed!..love.

Yesterday was a big, heavy day. We visited the Dachau Concentration Camps from the 2nd world war. I left there heavy, happy that we went and so appreciative of our life.

Last night we had a traditional "Bavarian special" German meal at the Beer Gardens. Absolutely delicious and yes, the best beer I've tasted.

Okay, way too long, have to go, visiting the English Gardens and MarienPlatz today and taking the night train to Paris with Cari.

Cheers! or as the Germans would say, Prost!

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My Last Night in Africa...

Well it's official. My time in Africa is almost "finished" and I'm heartbroken to leave. The last few days have shown me that no matter where you go, people never cease to amaze me. I did a full day wine tour the other day, hiked Lionshead today and walked to the waterfront on Friday. I've had sushi three nights in a row, danced in the streets, played chess on a folding table for two hours and met incredible, incredible people. I still hope to do Table Mountain tomorrow and possibly Robben Island before leaving tomorrow night. It seems that everyone I meet here in Cape Town came for a couple days, fell in love with the city and now live here. I don't blame them one bit. If I could, I would!

Anyways, I really can't believe it's over...and that Europe is just beginning! Next time I write will be from Amsterdam!

xoxo

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Cape Town!

Just arrived in Cape Town. It's absolutely, stunningly beautiful here, with the mountains in the distance and the waterfront to the other side. And I'm staying in the heart of it. Long Street is very well known, it's the area with all the pubs and shopping you could want. Seems like it will be fuuun.

The hostel is HUGE and sooo many people staying, all wonderful. It's like a maze. I'm rooming with a nice Aussie couple and I'm hoping to do Table Mountain with them Saturday or Sunday as they say you can't do it alone. I talked to the owners about doing Robben Island, they said it's just not worth it...no one has ever come back and said it was really good, but I'm pretty set on it so Saturday I'll have to walk down to the waterfront and see...

I did book in for a winery tour full day tomorrow, picking up at 9 a.m. They do Stellenbosch and two others, so that should be vunderful. It's a public holiday tomorrow (May Day) so my driver said, "Don't plan on sleeping tonight where you are staying, everyone will be out!" We'll see about that. i'm POOPED. had a nice flight over, sat with a man who is building golf courses in saudi arabia, whew! he lives in cape town and was just coming home for a bit.

I am going to go grab some groceries and go back and cook dinner, have some wine, and see if I can get some sleep. Big day tomorrow! xo

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A Goodbye to the Conservation...and Hello to Cape Town

Somehow, I am finished all my days of work on the conservation here in South Africa and am headed for a 5 day "vacation from my vacation" in the wonderful land of Cape Town...

Our last braai was a SUCCESS. Meat in South Africa is so cheap and so good! This was our last hunk that we cooked this last Saturday (sorry if this huge steak offends any vegetarians...haha).

Then we were blessed with my first real African thunderstorm, which is rare in April (it's getting into Winter here...25+ days rather than 30+ but very dry). The storm picked up while we were sitting around the fire, so the fire's dancing like crazy, it starts raining, we run for cover and stayed in the lounge watching scary movies. It was brilliant! The thunder was so loud and the lightning was a beautiful show. Thanks to the heavens for letting me have that before I go...

Our last three days of work consisted of more recycling efforts, creating stone barriers so that the animals don't migrate to areas of the reserve that they shouldn't, testing water around the reserve (it was like Science class all over again...pH...nitrates...etc.) and more guns!

This morning was very interesting, as Tony (who runs the conservation) opened up about how Mary (his wife) and him were involved in the civillian military here in South Africa from 1990 until 2006. They were back-ups for police, border control, you name it, specifically because there was so much chaos and just not enough authority. BUT, in 2006, then President Thabo Mbeki decided that he couldn't trust any white people in this "military" so all whites were disbanded and forced to hand over their firearms and weapons. In other words, reverse racism. Martin & Tony then got into a heated debate about whether or not guns should be legal, if cillivans should be able to own guns...they both made good points and basically in Germany, like Canada, guns are banned; however, they are (for the most part) fundamentally law-abiding countries...South Africa, not so much. I didn't want to get into it...

Yesterday afternoon we drove Martin's Mercedes Jeep 4x4 around the reserve to test the various water sites, was quite fun. He travelled from Cairo down through Africa in this and I'm thinkin' that should be my next adventure...haha. Here is the jeep in front of the Tweedragt Dam:

My very last morning tomorrow...I'm going to miss sitting overlooking the reserve with toast and coffee...wildabeast coming right up and putting on a show, meerkats running through the grasses. This was my lookout, my hideaway and my point of solace for the last 4 weeks. My favourite place to eat breakfast or sip a cider after a long days work:

This afternoon we headed to Pretoria to do last minute running around for my next adventures and saw a "film" (haha I will never get over the accents here, everything I type here I'm saying in an accent) The International for, get this, 15 rand ($1.50 US). It was odd and very nice to watch this movie, set in Germany and through New York and Turkey, in the wonderful world of Africa.

We're going for one last drive around the reserve, a game drive for a couple hours and then off to the airport. I will really, really miss it here.

It's been a beautiful, sometimes eye opening and a few times even downright frightening experience. I do believe I did good here. I think I made a little change, a tiny little dent in the world, along with the help of you - the people in my life. Supplies were given, books were gifted, hard work was (definitely!) done and best of all, lots of smiles were shared. I know that this is not the last volunteer trip I do, not by far...it's sparked a love and passion in me for the whole process and I'm already thinking of the next: Uganda, Jan. 2011? And the things I can do at home.

I definitely have to say that this trip has been more than I could have expected, it's made me realize a lot about myself that I had thought was true, but can only be verified when you're traveling 5000 miles from home by yourself. I have also come to appreciate my life at home in so many new ways, as well as the amazing people who have poured their support in since coming here. It seems that every couple days I leave the computer with tears in my eyes from an email or message (or an air package my beauty Kensi!) I feel so so so blessed to be living my life here, but to have that to go home too. So blessed. I also hoped that my blog has oozed the inspiration and spirit I've felt since being here. If I could package up that spirit in a bottle and bring it home I would! Or maybe I could bring home a couple of the kids...wonder what they'd think of that?! I have been very lucky though, and I feel like I have a couple angels up there watchin' me...I do know when I get home I will be much more driven and focused on making a change in communities and areas of the world that I can. I think the trip has made me grow up (not really grow up, who wants to grow up?) But grow as a person and think about the more positive things I want in my life. And about how I can radiate that outwards for others.

At the end of the day, everyone's searching for humanity, love and kindness and it's present, everyday, everywhere! I dropped something in the Amsterdam airport and a man followed me up three flights of stairs to give it back to me. Our tour guide for Soweto waited an hour and a half as I got lost all over Jo'burg so we wouldn't miss a tour that was important to us. Every time I met a person that didn't speak English, we still had a huge smile and a wave, the universal language. This is all we need for this life!

Ohh...before I forget, Nyawira (ZOTE) sent me this email today:

Hello and Good Day Tamara,

We want to extend out heartfelt thanks for all the wonderful donations you bought. They went over quite well. The dictionaries went to the secondary school, and some of the other items will be used in our first time winter camp for Primary age kids, as incentives and gifts. I will get you photos.

Please send me your home address so we may send you something via mail!

Safe travels in your continued journey, and we hope to see you in the future!

Best,

Nyawira Charity Tshivhengwa
Director, Education and Community Development
ZOTE Investments and Projects
Web: http://www.zoteworldwide.com/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So, c'est la vie for now. I learned here that "safari" in Swahili literally translates to "journey". It's been an incredible one and, this is only the beginning!

I probably won't get to update my blog even close to as much as I have been as I won't have consistent access to the Internet or to download pictures, but I will try too as often as I can.

Thank you for everything, everyone's support in their own way has made my trip.

Off to Cape Town!

xoxo

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Five days in Zimbabweee and five minutes in Zambia

I can't believe it's been 8 days since I last blogged...what an eight days it has been.

Monday - Wednesday we were cutting down the grass on either sides of the fence so that in the winter, when it's super dry and the fires start, they create a barrier around the fence that the fire can't travel as quickly. While I was minding my own business, cutting away, I noticed a squatters camp on the other side of the fence. When I looked up, there was a small, 8 year old boy watching me. I waved and said Hi, but he didn't speak English. For a good half an hour he just sat at the fence, watching me work. I sang a little bit even to the music on my ipod and he'd smile. It was very touching.


We went for our game drive late last week as it was Mary's last night here...saw the usual zebras, giraffes, Sprinbok, Blesbok, Wildebeast etc. but then we also saw our first warthog. I thought I'd include a picture of little Pumba haha.


Pumba!


My view from the back of the truck:


Thursday morning we hit the fence checking to see if there were any holes where perps try to cut and get into the conservation. We all split up and followed our own paths around the perimeter and we each had a map of the conservation. I had to go past Karls house (the owner), behind the big dam and then to a green fence where Mary would leave the truck for me. I would pick up the truck and drive it over to meet the girls in the field closest to the south... I literally felt like I was on Survivor Africa or Mantracker or something. To stay with the fence, I had to crawl up huge hills thick with brush and remember, everything in Africa has thorns or prickles. I had to cross streams and go downhill through trees and grass over my head. Just as I rounded one of the corners, I heard a loud snort and came face-to-face with a wildebeast. I was taking video's the entire time of me talking into the camera like a reality show...I can't get videos off my memory stick here, but when I get home you'll laugh at me. I was bleeding and sweating and tiptoeing around the wildebeast when finally the green fence came into view and I was sooo happy to see it!!! Crazy lil morning.

Thursday afternoon we did Beef Cor - going to get the meat for the Vulture Shack. Last time I was there, some of the guards had asked where I was from and when I said Canada, they asked if I could bring some novels with me next time, they loooove reading they said. So, sure enough I pull up to the gate and the guards are there, "Did you bring them?!" and I had, 5 books for them. They were ecstatic!

SO, Friday morning we left for the airport. It was an hour long flight and arriving in Zimbabwe was a little surreal. The airport is tiny, there is one terminal, the signs say, "US? Rands? We take any kind of money!" I was pleased to see my name as soon as I came around the corner and met Future, my ride back to the hotel, along with his friend Cawden. There were tribal dancers right as soon as I came off the plane and when the sunshine hit me, I felt that this place was really special.They were awesome, upon meeting them I felt like they were buddies. We go to the Highway Bottle Store and grab a couple beers (hey it's 11 a.m. why not) and I arrive at the backpackers. I meet Fiona and her family, the sweetest people I've ever met. Little did I know, they would soon come to adopt me as family :)

Cawden and me - he is a very talented web designer and developer:

Victoria Falls Backpackers, managed by Fiona & Family - the best of the best:

The first night there, I went for the sundowners cruise which was beaaautiful. We saw an elephant through the trees, a hippo who snorted at us and hopped out of the water long enough for us to see how gigantic he was, and a sneaky little crocodile.Afterwards, I went out for my first night there, into the township first and met Future's cousin and uncle and then to a couple of different bars. For the next three days, that was my lifestyle...sleeping during the day, waking up to hang out with Fiona, Byron and the family around the pool, sitting around the fire and drinking wine at night and then heading off into the townships and going out. It was surreal.

Our little hippo friend:

The view of the Falls from the cruise. It rains 24/7 by the falls:

The croc's head is right below the big branch...center of the picture, you can barely see him:

View from the boat as the sun went down:

The day I went to see the falls, we got absolutely SOAKED. Coming back from the falls, there were three elephants in the road, so everyone just pulled over and waited. We eventually had to turn around because they were taking too long. Just a normal day there. There were monkeys in the trees above us and warthogs in town.

Just some elephants on the road:

Future's little cousin who I couldn't completely communicate with, but came to love. I bought him a huuuge bag of suckers my last day there. He was so cute and always very shy with me.

One of the nights we had a giant white toad in the bathroom. Ryan & Amy, a very sweet couple staying at the hostel as well, captured it and brought him to the party.

One night we all went to Shoestrings...these are a couple of my buddies:

Eating around the fire...listening to music:

One day, Lauren (a wonderful girl from Texas staying with us) and I went to see "The Big Tree". It's a 1500 year old tree and is roped off so you can't touch it, but was impressive to say the least.

We then walked over the bridge to Zambia and did the cliche "one foot in Zimbabwe, one in Zambia" picture.

A beautiful view of the falls in the far left off the bridge in Zambia. There were always at least three or four rainbows everywhere around the falls:

We walked through town, where you get absolutely bombarded by locals to purchase anything they may be selling, although all of them are selling the same thing. They had a good run with the blonde hair...each wanted to know where we were from, what our names were. Their names were all very clever, we met a Happiness, a Christoper Columbus...On the last night there, we went to SPAR to pick up meat and veggies for our braai and on the walk home, there were literally 8 baboons on the road in front of us, crossing the street, wild boars running around and at the same time Lauren was attacked by a bee. Hahaha only in Africa...

Our braai was very special, as we made chicken, sausages, beans, pap and tomato gravy. My first meal without using any cutlery! Future laughed at me as I was rolling my pap with both hands, apparently that's a no-no, you take it in your right hand, roll it, and dip it into the gravy and beans. It was absolutely delicious. Lots of laughs around the fire and then off for one last night pretending to be a local.

Fiona making a miracle out of the meat we brought back for the braai:

The always exciting elephant crossing signs that are so necessary!

My favourite family of Zimbabwe, Fiona, Byron and the girls:

I will never, ever forget the time spent in those 5 days. The people of Zimbabwe are beautiful, caring, (persistent some might say! haha) but so, so loving. They are happy to be alive and man, they made me happy too. Being able to see the lives of them in the townships makes me feel that each day is the biggest gift we have. Lets celebrate it!

Only 6 more days here at Klip Kop and then off to Cape Town for (hopefully) a quieter exploration trip. Then, reuniting with the girls in Amsterdam. Hard to believe.

Love to you all!

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