Work Hard. Play Hard

     Hey all! Its been a busy last couple months here.  Im sorry the updates arent as frequent as Id like but I try to make them worthwhile.   So since September weve been building staff housing for the clinic.  We need at least 2 houses with 3 bedrooms, a sitting room, and  a kitchen.  As of right now weve almost finished house 1, and weve started building the walls up for house 2. Overall the building process has gone slower than I would have liked, with the rains fast approaching, but slow progress is still good progress.  Besides the building of the houses Ive also gotten a bed, a large table, two desks, 5 chairs, and other smaller items donated to the clinic.  

     Its a really interesting process, since I have no background or experience in construction, Im little help when it comes to actually building.  But, I have been learning a lot.  The equipment used is pretty simple but quiet accurate considering everything is done by hand, with no modern technologies to help with keeping corner square and walls even.  At least the soil classes Ive taken at school have been helpful when it comes to IDing good sand to mix with the cement. 

The building crew 

walls up

roof on

outside being plastered

painted :) If there are any doctors reading who would be interested in living here please let me know!

      Aside from all the work here, my friend and room mate from college, Tess, came to visit!  She got into Lusaka on a Sunday so we hit up the market first to get some souveniors then took the bus to Livingston Monday afternoon.  It was a 9 (or more?) hour bus ride but we made into Jollyboys at around 18 and reserved our beds for the week.  

      Tuesday we walked across the Zambezi river bed to go swim in the Devils Pool.  The water level right now is so low, its astounding to see compared to June or July, but still inspiring and beautiful in its own way.  Swimming the Devils Pool on the edge of the Falls was on my list since I heard I was coming here, and Im happy I got to share the experience with someone from home.  Our hike out and back took longer than expected, thanks to some unprepared tourists in our group, but enjoyable all the same and it allowed us to the sunset over the Falls.  No matter where you are a sunset is always enjoyable and never gets old :) 

       Wednesday we headed out to safari in Chobe, Botswana for 2 days, and 1 night camping in the park.  The day started with a river boat safari and then game drives after lunch, but spending the night in the park was key to seeing the lions and leopards, something I had not had a chance to see since Ive been here.  The group we were paired with was a blast and we all had some good laughs and shared some great stories in the truck and around the campfire.  We ended up seeing upward of 1,000 elephants and zebars, giraffes, lions, a leopard, buffalo, hippos, kudu, ibex, waterbuck, lots of beautiful birds, and numerous other animals.  We could even hear the lions roaring from our campsite that night. 

water buffalo out on the island in the Chobe River

Common bee eater (L) and Lilac breasted roller (R) two of the most beautiful birds Ive seen here. 

This picture doesnt even come close to portraying how many elephants were there - it was truly phenomenal 

 Sunset on safari. About 10 mins later the lions emerged from the bush to start some hunting

 

Our tent.  Probably the most comfortable bed Ive slept in these past 2 years

So this female apparently runs of the largest prides in Chobe.  Shes a fierce hunter, and shes lost her left eye over the years, which gives her the appropriate name of "One Eye".  We found her chilling by the river one morning and she came and walked right by our truck, we were all pretty excited. 

Close up of the Common bee eater. 

Kudu.  Id say these are probably my favorite antelope/ungulates that Ive seen here.  A very unstated but majestic beauty

We tracked this leopard for 2 days! And then our guide (who is amazing!) heard a fish eagle make a distinct call "that they only make when they see a leopard".  Once we found where the eagle was looking this guy was waiting just around the corner. We got really lucky to have this good of a look - he quickly hopped up a tree and slept for the rest of the day, quiet well hidden. 

Two of "One Eye"s cubs.  Both males. 

Nothing beats a cool Castle Light on safari

This Boabab tree was huge!! 

      After Chobe we spent a full day rafting the Zambezi, another bucket list activity for me.  The Zambzi is world class when it comes to its rapids, giving good pools and lulls between the intensity, and straddles Zambia and Zimbabwe.  Ive never been white water rafting before, and I have no idea why, it was SO fun.  Exhausting, terrifying, exhilarating, but so much fun.  This is something Id really love to do more of when Im back in the states.  More than once Ive been thankful for the waterproof camera I have. 

Here we go!

Sunset and wine on the river after rafting all day. As they say here: Beautif. 

     After our week in Livingston we headed to my village, Kasonde Mutokwa, for a week. It took 24 hours (literally) on the bus to make it there (which also broke down twice and then we had to get on a new functional bus), but we made it! It was nice to spend a week of chill village time after a week of adrenaline and activity.  I must say Tess handled the Zambian storm with all the grace that once can, especially since she is not "used".

Me and Mojo and his new Hokie bandana! 

We painted the inside on house 1 for a day or two while we were hanging in the vill

talking with neighbors. 

     Overall memories to last a lifetime and it was great to catch up with someone from back home, besides the random letters and texts we send around.  Thank you to everyone who sent stuff with Tess - its all on my wall and it was such a great surprise! Cant wait to see you all soon!

     As of right now Ill be spending the next two weeks in the vill, then a week in Kasama for Provincial Meetings and THANKSGIVING!  One of my personal favorite holidays.  Hope this find you all well America, keep in touch!