After leaving Vic Falls we crossed over into Zambia and headed towards Lake Kariba where we boarded a houseboat for a couple of days. Once we were in the middle of the lake we were allowed to jump off the roof of the boat. Crocs don't tend to be in the middle of the lake, they are genarally near the shore which seemed to be the case for our experience as well. It was a very relaxing couple of days where we got to know the other people on our tour, catch some sun, fish a little and enjoy the scenery of the neighboring islands. At night if we didn't want to sleep in our rooms we could pull our mattress to the roof and sleep under the stars. I have never seen so many stars in my life, it was fantastic to fall asleep gazing at them only to wake up in the morning to the sunrise over the lake.
The next couple of days consisted mostly of driving and stopping for short breaks in little towns and villages. All along the roads there are the little (what we would call one bedroom huts) homes of these people who would get real excited as we drove by and waved. Little kids especially would scream and sprint towards the road to greet us with a wave or whistle as we drove by. Watching them it seems that they spend the morning doing all of the hard work in the fields or going to collect what they need for the day or week and then once the heat from the sun sets in they try to stay cool under the shade or take care of less energy consuming chores. It is the most basic life compared to our standards but it just amazes me all the time to see them so happy about everything.
One afternoon when we arrived at our campsite Egg and I decided to walk towards the nearest village which we were told was quite far away. We never did make it to the village but the entire time we walked we had company. Local people walking along with us or riding their bikes along with us to ask us questions about our lives and to happily answer questions about there life or teach us some of the local language. Some little kids just want to shake our hands or show off there little brothers or sisters. Most people don't have cars and there isn't too much public transportation so all along the streets are masses of people walking and people on bikes who carry more on their bikes than I could fit in my car.
Egg, German (Jamie) and I just realised that yesterday on thanksgiving was also one month that we've been traveling together (and they haven't killed me yet).
Oh yeah, HAPPY THANKGIVING to everyone!! Most of the world have no idea what Thanksgiving is. We just arrived today into Malawi which is one of the poorest countries in the world. We head to Lake Malawi which takes up about a quarter of the countries space.
I try to explain what I do and see but it is so often quite hard to put my feelings of these places and the people and feel of the communities into words.
I still have not had any type of connection to put up pictures but will let you know when I do.
The life I touch for good or ill will touch another life, and that in turn another, until who knows where the trembling stops or in what far place my touch will be felt.
-Frederick Beuchner
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