Well, that’s about all that comes to mind! This time in Zimbabwe has been overwhelming, miraculous, challenging, emotional, life-changing, ……and fun, too. I am sharing this adventure with some incredible colleagues – and I am so very grateful and humbled by the experience.

First of all – a very BIG birthday shout-out to my awesome grandson, Brian – happy birthday, bud!!!!! I’m thinking about you………and can’t wait to talk to you soon.

So, yesterday, we were up and at ‘em at 4 a.m. and headed to the airport – flight to Johannesburg and then on to Victoria Falls was comfortable, and delightful for me because I got to sit with my buddy, Darla (http://www.alignandprofit.com) I really respect Darla and the great work she is doing; we spent the time together discussing our respective projects and how we can support each other. Time flew quickly……..so much fun! The hotel prepared boxed breakfasts for each of us and we chowed down on the van ride to the airport – you can see how helpful Darla was (in the photo) holding/balancing all those boxes!!

We had some time to spare at the airport in Johannesburg so some went off to shop, others had an express massage, ……I headed for a latte! We got on the plane and imagine our surprise when the stewardess announced that if you wear contact lenses, please remove them now because we are getting ready to spray the interior of the plane……..WHAT????????? I tried to capture it in the photo – hope you can see, through the fumes, LOL!!!! Still don’t know why they did that – I need to chat with Sandy. Such a bizarre experience.
We arrived in Victoria Falls and the group patiently waited for me because I’m ‘special’ (being Canadian – I needed to get into a different line up to pay for a separate visa!) – but even more ‘special’ than me……our ‘leader’ Suzanne ……whose luggage did not end up on the same plane. Ahhhhh, travel adventures!!! (it did show up today!)

We had a short drive to the hotel and settled in – this place is breath-taking! We are at the Victoria Falls Hotel and you can see by the photos that it is incredible. We all gathered for ‘high tea’ on the terrace – Yum-O, is all I have tsay! The tea was fabulous…….and, of course, my favorites – scones and chocolate! I have a beautiful view from my window and was up early this morning to catch the sunrise. There are baboons and wart-hogs wandering around the property, and a monkey here and there. We enjoyed a snack on the terrace before heading out to tour the Victoria Falls, the markets, etc.

Then we headed off to tour the falls – complete with our ridiculous-looking rain wear, LOL – but, once again, talk about breath-taking!!! The rainbows were everywhere…….and up in the sky were ultra-lite planes, helicopters, ……and birds, too! It was refreshing to be out and about, walking, talking, enjoying the fresh air – after many long hours on planes and in meeting rooms. On our way back to the van, we came across a huge wart-hog digging in the dirt for roots by the sidewalk……..kind of surprised us…….so we decided to wait it out for some of our colleagues to come along so I could capture their ‘surprised faces’ on camera, LOL – we do love each other but it’s always good to have a little fun.

So, we were all totally drenched but happy little campers! We went over to the women’s market for a quick run through – these women entrepreneurs were the ones we would be working with the next day and we wanted to get a ‘feel’ for their shops and actual location and their products.
Back at the hotel, time for a de-brief on the terrace and tasting of some of the fabulous drinks they offer. I am having a different one every day! Why not? Gotta enjoy life!!!!!

And, on that happy note, it was time for bed. Wanted to be refreshed and ready to go in the morning (and that leads us into today…….I’ll blog about that tomorrow – because there is just so much to write about and it’s late, again, and I’m heading to bed!!!) The rooms are wonderful – the beds are mighty high – I almost have to jump up to get into mine – quite the sight, if someone were watching. Slept like a baby and had a full and rewarding day today. Stay tuned for the write-up tomorrow – all I can say is that God’s presence is very much alive here and within each of our hearts and today was proof of that.

Want to know more? Come back tomorrow………(you’ll be reading about Day 1 with the women of the market while we will have finished Day 2 working with them) – so fascinating!

Good nite all!

Happy Pat

P.S. You can find more pictures in here: http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zimbabwe/Hwange/blog-726701.html