Thoughts and pictures from safari

From Brett 1/25/09:

The World Camp program offers an optional 2 day safari in Zambia. Our whole group of volunteers chose to do this and we had a great time last week. It was a nice break in the intense 6 day a week camp schedule for everyone. It took a full day to travel there and back due to very rough road conditions despite being a main artery from the closest major airport. We can upon a large muddy section that was hard to determine the depth and hazards within. After chatting with the villagers that came out to look at the spectacle, we started to narrow down the not so random incidence of this trouble spot. It seemed that the villagers use this spot in the road as a source of extortion. One of the great things that we have noticed and admired about the people we have witnessed is their crafty resourcefulness. We have seen many good examples of this in the daily lives of the people here, but this is an example of how being resourceful can go to the other extreme of gaining at the expense of others. Since, this road is the main route for “rich white travelers” going to safari, what a perfect opportunity to be crafty and resourceful. They proceeded to “help us” through the puddle, then asked for money. They helped us by walking through the puddle to show the depth and stepping over the big holes they dug in the middle. The bus we brought was “dead in the water”, no pun intended. During this rough section of road the bus had damaged the radiator to the point that replacement was the only option. Luckily we were only about 20km from our destination. We then loaded the Land Rover we brought to the gills with all the volunteers to the camp. I went back to get the remaining coordinators and gear. Long day to say the least.

From Catherine 1/25/09:

There were parts of me that felt guilty about going to safari when the work we’re doing continuously highlights the need and poverty of the vast majority we’ve seen here. But I’m really glad Brett and I decided to go. It really brought home for me the environmental message we’re teaching in the schools. For instance, the reason we have to travel to Zambia for safari is because of the devastating effects of deforestation here in Malawi. As few as 25 years ago there were forests to support animals around the villages, but now there is only one small area in the whole country that has safari type animals and the habitat to support them. As soon as we crossed the boarder from Malawi to Zambia we could see a very obvious difference in the size and amount of trees. Zambia also faces the effects of deforestation, but the country is not nearly as densely populated as Malawi.

We stayed in at a safari camp called Wilderness Camp in Mfuwe, Zambia – bordering the 3 million acre (!!!!!!!!!!!!!) South Luangwa National Park. The accommodations were modest, but greatly enjoyed by all. They had a large kitchen for us to use for group cooking and lots of PB&J sandwich making. The wildlife right outside our cabins was the highlight for me. Brett and I took our sandwiches back to our cabin to eat on our porch one day at lunch. One of the monkeys grabbed half of Brett’s sandwich right off his plate! Ok, so maybe I was tossing bits to them to get them close, but they were so cute – how could I help myself? ;)

After we drove through the park on our two safari drives, I was amazed by the diversity of the wildlife we witnessed moving and living in their natural surroundings. I was stuck by, what seems to me, the divine plan of it all. Every tree, plant, insect, reptile, rodent, bird, and animal is there for a purpose that benefits and completes the system. I find it impossible to think that this is all random or by accident. It also gave me lots of food for thought about how beautiful and natural interdependence is, and how we as Westerners often squirm at any notion other than independence. I have also pondered the role we play in this divinely designed system – how are my actions contributing in positive ways and detracting in negative ways? All in all the safari experience was incredibly peaceful for me. The questions and musings only serve to give the experience more meaning for me, which also brings me some peace from all the swirling guilty feelings that can easily take over.

This is a picture of most of our group...such a great group of people.

This picture is taken right outside of our group common area at Wilderness Camp. See the elephants in the distance - they were so close! I taught 2 yoga classes in this common area while we were there. I laughed with the volunteers about how if I teach that same class back home it just won't be the same without, "Inhale up to tall mountain, whoa, and look at the elephants."

See below for lots more pictures...