Camping out in Afrcia

So, I spent my first ten days or so traveling through Uganda and Zimbabwe meeting orphans that I sponsor.  I am not certain if words can articulate the sensations that gripped me during those days and moments; such joy and deep contentment knowing that my investments in humanity are well rewarded and gratefully appreciated.  After bidding farewell, however, I found myself alone, journeying to Victoria Falls, perpetuating ever new emotions.  My purpose became a bit foggy and unsteady as I had no particular person to encounter, only unknown adventures lay ahead.

I landed safely in Vic Falls, took a taxi to the rest camp I had been registered at, and unloaded my bags in a security room until I could check in.  I then began to walk the small town in search of the actual waterfall.  As soon as I exited the rest camp gates, vendors accosted me with their wares and their pleas, following side by side as I continued walking.  Honestly, my home decor is quite African so some of the items appealed to me.  However, my momentary purpose had become clear, "Look at the waterfall."

Unfortunately, I was born at a time when wild, "National Geographic Society" exploration has come to a significant halt.  Instead, I had to pay $30 to enter the park and begin my stroll along with many other individuals and families.  The power and glory of this waterfall, though, outweighed the initial commercialism I encountered.  The falls are so vast, so enormous and so exquisite.  Water sprays everywhere, cooling you off as you walk.  Again, words fail to express the enormous exhilaration that sort of encompass a person as she gazes on this wonder. It was good.  And to top it off, I had the opportunity to feel "alone" as I walked about a mile from one end of the park to the point from which I had entered.  I turned a corner and saw a large, grey body by the bush; quickly realized it was a wart hog, smiled, shot a photo and continued my journey, unharmed.  

After that adventure, I made my way to the rest camp again in order to meet with the group that I would be camping with for eleven days.  I discovered that two Canadian families, four Australian families, one Scottish, and one South African family were to become my traveling companions.  Up to this point, we have journeyed from Vic Falls to Botswana and even spent three days on a remote camp site in the Delta.   We did several walking safaris and saw dung of every animal that lives in Botswana.  Unfortunately, we saw very few of the actual animals, though.  Fortunately, each day allowed me encounters with giraffe, coming as close to one as about thirty feet and then seeing an entire herd of over forty journeying together.  That is amazing! And that is a wrap for now.