Okay, so Lidwala's internet was down when I tried to post this. I am currently in Palapye, Botswana, where the internet is free.
I didn't want to post for the past few days because I was
worried that people back home would worry about how uncertain my trip to
Victoria Falls was. It is better now, so I will explain what happened.
I found out that this opportunity existed on Sunday. In
other words, less than one week before it would depart. That means that no
matter what, planning was put off until the last minute.
I asked Kristen if she wanted to come, because she signed up
for the six week programme. That means she would be in Swaziland for two weeks
after most of the people who arrived in my group, and thus have enough time to
come to Victoria Falls. She said she would love to come.
We talked to Roland about the trip on Monday. On Tuesday. we
booked beds at a hostel in Livingstone. Later that day, Kris got a phone call,
and found that she had to return to Belgium early because of a family
emergency. She is currently on her flight home.
That means that I would have to go to Zimbabwe, Zambia, and
South Africa alone...or so I thought. Having heard the horror stories of
traveling alone in Morocco from my mother, I didn't think it was the best idea
to need to find my own way back to Swaziland. That is particularly the case in
Zimbabwe, a dangerous country to begin with that is even less stable than usual
due to upcoming elections.
Then it hit me. All of the volunteers went to a birthday
party on Sunday, which was the last day for most of them. The party was for
Nosipho, an incredibly friendly employee of All Out. When Kristen and I told
her that we were going to Victoria Falls, she said she was incredibly jealous,
and she would drop anything and everything to come along. Unfortunately, Roland
said only two seats were available in the car, so she couldn't come.
When I found out that Kristen couldn't come, I called
Nosipho and asked if she still wanted to come. She said yes. Here's a bonus:
Nosipho is half Zimbabwean. Her father currently lives in Bulamayo, Zimbabwe.
In other words, I am going with someone who knows the area very well. I don't
think I will be in danger when I am with Nosipho.
If you didn't understand what happened, it's okay. I barely
did myself. All I know is I am now going to Zimbabwe with an awesome
Zimbabwean. My passport has 24 new pages from the annoying US embassy, I have
12 new Malaria pills, and I will spend the night after tomorrow in Botswana. I
can't believe it is actually happening.
So that's where my mind has been since I got back from
Mozambique. I feel bad for Kristen, and hope everything goes well for her at
home.
In all honesty, this has been a very productive week at the
building site. I just haven't been able to think about it as much as I should.
A family of volunteers came this week to build with us as a part of their
vacation. They are called The Mays, and they are from England. They are very
nice.A lot of people think I am in their family because they all have blonde
hair and go to the same place as me to work. They then hear my accent and lose
that notion.
The toilet is now built. It has a roof, two toilets that
aren't just holes in the ground, plaster, and a nearly complete coat of paint.
It should have running water by next week, but I will be in Zimbabwe. It still
looks damn good though.
Sorry I took so long to post. I didn't want to worry the
people at home with my uncertainty, but that is no longer a problem. I have no
idea how the internet will be when I travel, so don't wait around for posts. I
hope you understand.
Tata for today!
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