Vic Falls

My friend, Debbie, is leaving tomorrow. Le Sob! I can't believe nearly an entire month has flown by. We have had so much fun together--don't make it stop. And! I haven't even had time to blog all the adventures yet. Our mini-vacation at the beginning of her visit is still being documented. I hope it isn't boring you too much but this is how I'll know it really happened 6 months from now when we're really and truly pining for each other. Wait! I just realized I'll be able to see her in 6 months. I'll tell you why soon.--I hope.

And now, on to the adventures!

Vic Falls. That is what the cool people in the know call Victoria Falls. They were named that by David Livingstone when he 'discovered' them in 1855. The natives of course had known them for years and called them by the name of Mosi oa Tunya (The Smoke that Thunders). This is because the Zambezi River rushes into the gorge with such force at high water season that the water sprays back up into the air, turns into a cloud-like mist (which can be seen from miles away above the treetops) and then falls like a monsoon rain. It's amazing!

Debbie and I looked at them first from one side of the gorge and then walked around to the top of the falls. 

Here you can see the mist obscuring the view of the other side of the gorge.

The deceptively peaceful river before it reaches the waterfall's edge.

Debbie looks down at the edge of the waterfall and wonders how many have attempted to go over. 

Interesting fact: When the water level is low--at the end of dry season--you can walk across the top of the falls.

We had decided to view Victoria Falls au natural without any rain gear. We knew we'd get wet but thought it would make the adventure more authentic.

As we headed down the path we met a young lady who strongly suggested we head back and rent the ponchos and Crocs. She said even with that protection we would end up wet.

We're glad we took her suggestion. The outfits were goofy with the rental people first putting a garbage bag over us and then a poncho but it made the experience more fun.

I'm claustrophobic and the thought of being encased in 2 layers of plastic including a hood that obscured my view made me a little crazy. I said my prayers as they dressed me and then opted to leave the hood down and take my chances.

This is the first viewing point. So far so good.

This is the second. Already we were in monsoon-like conditions with 'rain' pouring down on us.

I risked this one last photo with my camera in a ziploc bag and then decided to put it away for safekeeping.

We were so grateful for the Crocs as we crossed a narrow bridge that was a solid rush of water. 

We inched across carefully and just stood in awe at the majesty of God's creation. If you'd like to see more photos of the waterfalls google it and you'll agree that God did good! We said that this type of experience really helps you to appreciate the word awesome in connection with the holiness of God.

We finally made it safely out a bit wet but so so happy.

A little extra treat as we left the park was watching this huge baboon attack jump on a teenage girl, walking right in front of us, so he could steal her bag of potato chips. An interesting mini-adventure to round out our day. I bought a little wooden baboon for Debbie's desk to commemorate the experience.