Today’s forecast: Torrential rain

Livingstone, Zambia

The group split up this morning — some went canoing, others horse back riding; some did nothing nothing at all. A couple of us opted to make our way to Zambia for a different perspective of the falls.

Near the border, we passed a couple of elephants and several baboons without second thought. It’s amazing how a couple of weeks in Africa will make you immune to such occurrences. (I’d compare it to “temple fatigue” in Asia.) Several local people accosted us to sell old currency; a few others approached asking if we had any old shoes, socks or t-shirts. “Need clothing,” they said. How terrible this place has become.

Walking by some construction workers (with an 8:1 watching to working ratio), we stamped out of Zimbabwe and crossed the bridge that straddles the border. About halfway across, one of our buddies signed up for a bungee jump. Not for me.

A one-day visa for Zambia was $20USD; from the border it was only a couple of minutes to the park entrance. And because the falls are actually located on the Zam side, the trails brought us right to the edge.

After, we put on our rain gear for the walk to Livingstone Island, which sits just a few hundred feet from the falls. The bridge was barely visible as a torrential downpour completely soaked us.

We left the park and stamped out of Zambia — thus marking what might have been my shortest stay ever in a country. Lunch back in Zim was at a fast food place; my chicken sandwich, small fries and Diet Coke was $9USD. Prices have skyrocketed here due to food shortages.

Back at the lodge, we got $20USD hour-long Swedish massages, checked the Internet and braved a temporary (yet commonplace) blackout. As the sun set, we piled into the back of a pick-up truck for a ride to the Victoria Falls Hotel, the classiest place in town, if not the country.

The terrace overlooked the falls; drinks were surprisingly reasonable, just $2 for beers and $5 for mixed. After checking out the menu, we were on board for dinner also. The Zimbabwe beef, cooked medium, was served with a mushroom sauce, some mixed vegetables and chips.

It was either delicious or my first red meat in 8 days.