Almost done and dusted with my time in Livingstone. Last full day today, which I will spend hanging with a mate and fly out tomorrow morning. Have said all my goodbyes to the kids and teachers and we have left them with plenty of food to last the next few months. The teachers earn $50 a month paid by a church in Ireland which is barely enough to live on so instead of giving them some random gift I gave them an extra month’s salary - without these teachers the kids would have nothing.
I have had the most amazing time here. Being a part of the Linda Community and helping the kids was very rewarding - and despite the ribbing from various South African and English rugby followers about Aussies teaching rugby, the kids even managed to pick up a few rugby skills........ It certainly didn't turn out to be the gig I had imagined but that is Africa - everything seems to happen as it will happen and at its own pace. It is liberating really to be unbound by strict schedules, timetables and expectations.
Livingston itself is one of the most amazing places I have ever experienced. Victoria Falls is awesome and the activities set up to enjoy the falls are loads of fun. The people here are laid back and friendly and the travellers I have met have been great. Life rolls around in three or four day blocks - meeting folk, forming a friendship over a few days then saying goodbye. I have met more people in a month than I would normally meet in a couple of years - Gap year students, post grad students doing research, kayakers and river guides, volunteers and even honeymooners....they are all here. Lots of Brits, Aussies, Kiwis, South Africans, Germans and Dutch. Mixed in with a bunch of Canadians, Americans, Swedes, Swiss, Norwegians and Finns. Oh, and of course one mad Argentinean kayaker - hey Diego!
Personally for me this trip has been everything I had hoped for - I'm quite sure this experience will influence decisions I make in life for a long time to come.
So, for my last blog (and longest) I have decided to put together a bunch of photos that summarise my time here. Work all day and play all night. It's been really cool to have you guys along for the ride. Thanks for coming.......
Orf
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| Early Days - Lots of handling games |
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| See the locals walking miles with heavy loads on their heads |
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| One of the many markets....my mate Judy sold me fruit from this one |
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| In front of the school - rough but space to run. |
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| Jollyboys Chill out zone with Riff the vet from the US |
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| Linda....very poor neighbourhood |
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| Zambezi Croc |
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| Plenty of Hippos too |
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| Booze Cruise Team |
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| First attempt at scrums |
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| Nshima with Ric and Maxy - great Kayakers |
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| Ball handling drills |
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| Lara from the UK with the kids |
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| A few of the party boys - Ric, Hectic, Ben and Lloydy |
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| Cooking Nshina at the school |
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| The boys collecting water from the well |
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| More party boys - The blonde bloke is Zambian! |
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| Maize we planted just sprouting |
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| More Nshima with the kids |
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| Orf and Dutch Hotties - Dana and Lauraine |
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| Dinner at favourite Nshima Joint with Esther, Arthur, Andrew and Hectic |
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| I love this photo |
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| Round the corner from the school - just a bar despite the name! |
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| Hectic and the boys |
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| Mangoes feed the nation during this time of year |
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| With Remo the Swiss machine on the edge of Vic Falls |
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| Taking the plunge into Devil's pool - right on the edge of the falls. |
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| Remo showing how it should be done |
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| Water falling 100m straight down 2 inches behind us! |
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| The Devil's Pool Team - Swedish Hotties Charlotta and Sandra and Remo |
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| Celebrating our survival with a couple of Beers |
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| Jollyboys bar with a few newies - Scottish Stewy and English Jess |
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| I forget the name of this village but stunning |
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| King Diego - Riding the Gear trailer back from 'Duckying' |
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| Hectic taking the plunge |
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| Hectic and the boys blowing up the balls |
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| Another day at Linda School |
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| I'll miss these boys |
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| Concert time |
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| Kids glad to have Charlotta and Sandra along |
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| Remo hamming it up with the boys |
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| Passing finally coming together |
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| The stores...Millie Meal, Kapenta, Beans and charcoal to cook it all |
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| Another one of my favourite shots |
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| Party Time |
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| These two were amazing - the party entertainment! |
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| A bit more frivolity |
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| Old mate Zebra got a bit annoyed just after this shot and we had to leg it out of the bush! |
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| We missed the girraffe but got to see these guys...impala? Have to ask Jess.. |
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| Err....got a bit carried away supporting the local villages by buying souvenirs......statue anyone? |
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| Time to move on - goat Braai with a few of the team - Hectic, Andrew, Mary and Ash |
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| The goat - expertly prepared by Diego |
