Day Thirteen- Our last day :(

We woke up early that morning to say our goodbyes to our newest friend and to pack all our things for the long trip home ahead. We took the long car ride back to Harare where our adventure had begun. We then returned our car back to the rental place. To make sure we had not left anything behind, we all checked through our bags and we had successfully kept track of everything we had brought, plus gained some neat souvenirs on the way. As we boarded our flight, we looked back at the beautiful land and at the smiling faces of all the Zimbabweans that had been nothing but hospitable through our entire trip. We reflected back on our adventures and took much away from our experiences. The memories and experience Zimbabwe had brought us led us to believe we were going to visit again. The people are determined and friendly, and we constantly felt like our presence was a special treat to everyone. People took such interest in us and were constantly polite. Zimbabwe should be added to anybody and everybody's bucket list because of the adventures we shared by being here just a few days.




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Day Twelve- Jonah Moyo

Today, we were on our way back to Harare to catch our flight back home the next day when we stopped at a local park because we heard the sound of an amazing jazz band. This jazz band had many instruments that sounded incredible together. For awhile we stayed and enjoyed the music. It was very relaxing and everybody had a good time. After the band fished playing we took the time to get to talk to the lead singer and guitarist. Jonah Moyo was his name and we soon learned about how he shaped the form of jazz music in Africa and was truly an amazing musician. We talked to him for what seemed hours on end. he seemed almost as interested in life in America as we were fascinated in his travels all throughout Africa. Jonah Moyo was born in Zimbabwe. After traveling to Europe, he came back to his home nation to share his love for music. He taught many Zimbabweans how to write and read music. We talked so long it soon got dark and he offered that we stay the night so we could catch our flight in the morning. we gladly accepted and were really excited to get to see his work studio and learn even more about his knowledge of music. He showed us some of the music he was working on and even played a little solo for us. we were all mesmerized by the music's beauty, but soon it was time for bed and none of us looked forward to what would be our last day in Africa.

Day Eleven-- The Great Zimbabwe

Today we Left the 2nd largest city in Zimbabwe to set off in our rental car to see The Great Zimbabwe. The attraction was about an hour away, but it was well worth it. As soon as we got to the attraction, Brittney was so overcome by its beauty that she ran as fast as she could and grabbed the nearest tree. We learned that this ancient monument was built by a Bantu-speaking tribe millions of years ago. Yet it was not discovered until the late 1800's. We spent the rest of the day exploring the site and examining its amazing architecture. we finally drove to Hotel near by named the Great Zimbabwe Hotel.

Day Three-Harare, Harare, Harare!

We woke up and rushed out into the city, grabbing breakfast on the way out the door. We headed back out into Harare, Zimbabwe's capital. We walked to the Mbare Market and enjoyed some more great shopping as well as some great local cuisine. Katie purchased some beautiful artwork made locally with recycled materials. Brittany got her hair braided by some young women for a great price and she got beads in her hair the color of the flag of Zimbabwe! Then we headed over to the nearby Borrowdale Park where we went down a couple of nature trails and watched horse racing in the center of the park. We then caught a bus and went to a world famous cricket match at a huge arena. The Zimbabwe team won! It was so much fun and the Zimbabweans had crazy team spirit! Dan purchased a sweet jersey and got one of the players to sign it. After the match we went out with the team to celebrate the great win! It was so much fun and we're going to continue to keep in touch with a lot of them. After a long night, we layed on the sidewalk in front of our hotel and were stargazing. There were so many stars out and we heard drums in the distance as we dragged ourselves up the stairs to our rooms.

Day Ten-Museums + More!

Today we packed our bags and took off for Bulawayo! In Bulawayo we planned on visiting a few museums and some other places. First we visited the Natural History Museum. This educational trip taught us about how Zimbabwe was founded, the empires, the history of the economy, and many other facts. Zimbabwe was first granted independence on April 18, 1980 by the United Kingdom after the Bush War. The Lancast House Agreement made this independence official. The museum also had parts about their prime minister Mugbe. Next we visited the National University of Science and Technology. The technology in Zimbabwe is not near as up to date as the technology we experience in the states. Scientists do not have the equipment or enough education to even bring along new and exciting technologies. Underground pipe systems were about as complex as Zimbabwe got. They took us through a tour about this system, what it was, and how it worked. After these exciting stops we went back to the hotel and got some rest.

Day Four- Visiting the Precious Child Orphanage

On the second day, we visited the Precious Child Orphanage in Bindura, Zimbabwe. The experience was truly touching. We found the orphanage online and read of their story, so we all agreed it was necessary to go and visit the children. Pastor Charles Masunungure and his wife Judith established the orphanage in September of 2002. When we visited they were fostering 10 adorable, helpless children, some abused and some without parents.

They welcomed us with open arms. For the first time in a long time, they were given time to relax while we played with the children. The house was small and tight with all the small bodies packed in. They were so grateful for our coming. We played games with them, sang songs, and they showed us their daily life. To each other they were all they had and they were so thankful that they had a place to live. Adoration for the Pastor and his wife was found all over. The children truly looked up to them. The children were very polite and tried to speak their very best English. It was inspiring how they were growing and had such high hopes. The older children gathered around Dan as he opened his Blackberry to check and email. They had never seen anything like it. They’re smiling faces, big dreams, and determination to build off of nothing was incredible. The older children told us of their wish to go to college and become something great, such as a doctor or pilot.

Pastor Charles and Judith were so happy about our arrival that they persuaded us to stay with them through the night. The family meal was very interesting. We all were missing a home cooked meal, and Judith definitely satisfied that craving! After eating we talked about Jesus Christ and prayer. Each child, both young and old talked about their spiritual journey. We saw the heart of Zimbabwe in the eyes of each one that spoke, such awful violence and corruption that was seen at such a young age. They talked about the hard times that they were fortunate to surpass when being welcomed into the loving orphanage.

Each child we met was truly a “precious child.” We keep in touch with them and encourage others to contribute to their effort. We’ve seen them take hope and share it. Their website is: http://www.preciouschildzim.org/. They are amazing people with amazing goals that are being achieved each and everyday. With our help even more dreams can be taken into action for the less fortunate. We could all agree without any doubt that that was our favorite part of the entire trip. It left us longing for more connection with the Zimbabwean people and culture.

Day Nine- Africa Day Celebrations!

HAPPY AFRICA DAY!

Africa Day, May 25th, is a holiday in which people all around the world, especially Africans highlight the cultural, social, and political life of Africa through celebrations and festivities. This morning we awoke to the sound of the early bird parades full of joyous chanting, singing, and drumming. Skipping breakfast, we rushed outside to join the multitude of men, women, and children dressed in their best attire including tribal costumes. There were more than just Zimbabwean flags waving. It had diverse African cultures, bringing performances and culture from Central, North, South, East, and West Africa. Parades of people hand in hand, speaking their native tongue, but still at once translating the same message: Continental Unification and Peace. They took such pride in their heritage and shared a great amount of their history in what they wore alone. Celebration rocked the streets as we joined in, and praised Africa for its diversity and success. For the moment, we had forgotten that Africa was a continent known for its political instability, poverty and underdevelopment. As we walked deeper and deeper into the city, we heard many speeches about Africa Day, and much joyous cheering along with it. We ate some more interesting foods native to Zimbabwe such as corn meal cake and Mapopo, which is a papaya candy. We caught on to some cool dances and chants that others were doing. Old women and men fell to their knees to thank god for such a great blessing, peace in Africa. They had been alive to see the horrible struggle that came about in order to unify the continent. There was much excitement all day and into the night. We walked back to our hotel with shoes in hand and smiles on our faces. It seemed for once that this continent was actually at peace, even just for a day.

Day Eight-Last Day of Safari :(

Sadly, today was our last day of the safari. The tour guides made it as enjoyable as possible and took us all over. We got to see lions, zebras, giraffes, and that is just touching the surface of the many animals we saw. At one point Brittany and Dan's canoe got stuck in some thick mud. Thankfully, we were able to push them out. Many new bugs were also introduced to us including a huge spider that Katie touched. All together the canoe safari was a great experience! The scenery was magnificent, and it was well worth our money! However, after such a long trip we were greatly looking forward to sleeping in regular beds with as much sleep as we could get.

Day Seven-Traveling!

Today was another traveling day. We were escorted today by our tour guides to Kariba Gorge and Chirundu on the Lower Zambezi River. 2 days and 2 nights was the duration for the safari . Food, water, shelter, and supplies were supplied for us. The safari was supposed to take us to see the depths of Zimbabwe and see even more scenery. We were all thrilled to be a part of this! After preparing camp with a few other tourists and tour guides we all sat around, talked, and ate. Meeting the tour guides and learning about what we were supposed to see was exhilarating. We just wanted to begin the tour right there on the spot.

Day One-Transportation and Anticipation!

WOOOO! It has taken weeks and months to come up with the detailed plans of our journey to Zimbabwe! We are thrilled that the time has finally come, even if it does begin at 4:00 a.m. Our departure was set for 6:00 a.m., clear skies guaranteed us a smooth flight, but excitement was still in the air as Brittany woke everybody up singing joyously! We were all so excited to hit up the plane and get to Zimbabwe as soon as possible. We arrived at the RDU airport at 5:00 a.m. and loaded our baggage. The whole plane ride to JFK we discussed all the possibilities that this trip held for us. We arrived there at 7:45 a.m. and then were due to depart at 9:15 a.m. Other passengers grew tired of us for we chattered on and on about all the things we had to see as well as practicing our African dialects and learning some important words in languages native to Zimbabwe, just in case some didn't speak English even if it was their national language. We joked about possibly adopting cute African children, and then other times we sat in silence trying to prepare ourselves for the incredible amount of poverty that we were about to see. The plane trip was incredibly long and tiring. Fortunately, we arrived at LHR at 9:45 p.m. Two hours and five minutes later, we departed from LHR to JNB. By now, we were all worn out and slept the whole ride.

Day Six-Bungee Jumping + More!

By majority decision, we decided to stay in Kariba yet another day and see Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls was absolutely beautiful. The many waterfalls that fell over the rocks were topped off with a full rainbow. The park was huge and very green. Trees and herbs that surrounded it made it all the better. In certain areas of the Falls, bungee jumping took place. We happened to pass one of these areas and try the sport out. Bungee jumping seemed boisterous and rebellious, so we could not miss out on the fun. Katie went first and screamed the whole way down. She mentioned that the stomach dropping feeling was probably the best part. It was a rush of freedom and flying combined in one. Everything just rushed by as you drop down to the bottom of the bungee cord. Marybeth went next, freaked out the whole way down, and agreed that it was the experience of a lifetime. Shortly following her went Dan, Brittany, and last, Travis. It was much agreed that people that have not tried this enlivening, frightening activity are truly missing out.

Day Five-Kariba!

Today, we laid low and took up most of the day driving from Bindura to Kariba. During this drive, we passed some of the most beautiful scenery any of us had ever witnessed. We passed by Lake Kariba and stopped to enjoy the beautiful scene. Lake Kariba was very blue, large, and had a few beaches. The sun was reflecting off of the water causing a blue reflection in the sky It was absolutely stunning. After passing more scenery, the next stop was Antelope Park. The opportunities were endless. It included activities such as walking with lions, riding African elephants on land or in the water, sight seeing in a vehicle or on a horse, boat rides, and canoeing. This was going to be an experience of a lifetime!! The first activity we took on was riding the elephants! This was by far the most incredible adventure any of us had ever taken on. Though they were smelly, the ride was very fun! The height freaked Travis out a little bit, and he took a fall from the elephant. He was not willing to try again, so he walked alongside of us. Next, by Marybeth's idea we decided to have a walk with the lions. The creatures were beautiful and frightening all at the same time. It was neat to see how a lion living in Africa would spend its normal day. Lastly, we drove around in a Jeep to view all of the scenery the kind Africans had described to us. Africa truly is a stunning place with so many places to see in just one park. Due to the Africans interest in us, they offered us a free day if we would sit down and tell them about ourselves. The many stories of our lives appeared to be joyful because big smiles quickly spread to the natives. We told them all about America and how different things were. The Africans seemed so appreciative compared to the little they had and the overloading, mass amounts we had. The stories ended up taking a lot more time than intended and they offered us free food. Swiftly, we ate and headed back to the hotel for a good nights rest.