Holiday the third

Ok going to try and finish this thing today, so antelope park. It is absolutely beautiful. The main capsite and facilities place is on the edge of the river, and the dining room has open sides and thereare big old barbeques where they cook your breakfast as you wait, its great. We didnt do anything on the monday when we got there, just chilled in the DVD room and watched white water rafting and bungee jumping. We then went all Dof E and put up our tents, complete with rain covers this time. Polly and I got ours up in record time thanks to much exerience, and were then called on to help Amber and Wizz do theirs! The next day we had an early start, surprise surprise, to go walking with Lions. It was amazing, they were (I think) 3 eight month old cubs, two guys and a girl, so quite big alrewady and at one opointy they all ran after a horse they had spotted so the keepers were trying to tackle them to the ground. We have really posey pictures of us stroking alion perched on a grassy africa style mound. Then we had an elephant ride(it was too cold to do the elephant swim as they wouldnt get in the water, dont really blame them) it was fun trotting on an elephant, they are surprisingly comfy! In the afternoon we went and played with ickle lion cubs, they were really sleepy and ended up snoozing in a big cuddly pile, soooo cute. When I grow up I am going to have an elephant and a lion cub.
The newxt morning we went and watched the elephant training, turning round kneeling down and playing football. It ffelt a bit fake but showed how amazingly intelligent they are, and we got to feed them and sit on their laps so it wasnt all bad. Then we went on a horseback safari which was totally amazing. My first horse (shasha) was very impatient and kept trying to get to the front so i wasnt too upset when my stirrup fell off as i was trotting and had to switch toi the slightly calmer Petal. It was great we rode through a herd of Zebra and past a family of giraffe, and saw wildebest and water buck as well. I also learnt to trot properly rather than just bounce all over the place which was really good fun.Wizz even said that i looked quite professional(though to be fair it was only the second time she had been on a horse herself).
In the afternoon we went canoeing down the river with mark as well. we had three canoes between the nnine of us and only four oars so it was rather slow but very nice and relaxing., i was in a boat with Amber and Emma(zimn not moz) and we had two oars, but still managed to be the last boat back. We had much fun trying to get into where the boats were supposed to go as we kept getting stuck in the reeds so teried going backwards and ended up miles away, we gave up and just sat there in absolute hysterics as the others watched and wondered what on earth was going on.
While we were at Antelope park loads of preparations were going on for the bosses daughter's wedding that was on the thursday(day that we left). There were huge marquees going up all over the place for the ceremony(that one was on top of a specially built hill, which you got too over a specially built bridge, designed to carry the bride and groom on elephants) the reception(right on the bank) and for the 200 gusts to sleep in(complete with beds wiuth preoper matresses). It looked like it was going to be absolutel amazing, too bad we couldnt hanbg around and watch. But thursday was the end of our tour(we bought special tshirts with our route on) and we headed back to Harare. In the afternoon we took the Zim girls to the flea market and spent even more money. I completely fell in love with a huge giraffe batique but as we had to eat that evening i dragged myself away and we got takeaway pizza (again). But the next morning we pooled the reat of our money and went back and I got it, it is sooooo beautiful, my room at Aberdeen s going to look stunning. That weekend we went to Lake Mazvikadei(i think its a dam) with soem friends of the Zim girls, there were about 22 of us over all and we had a gorgeous house with a pool over looking the lake, really lovely relaxing weekend, and we really proved the power of prayer when the power went off. Highlights included B (bryony) holiding a baby crodile and Amer and Emma eating a flying ant (deliberately and still alive). Just realised that I am very fond of using brackets.
So we got back to Harare on the sunday night, and realised that we had spent all of our Zim dollara andf had nothing to eat, bar half a loaf of bread that smelt slightly supect, pasta carrots and a tin of tomatoes. Dinner tasted alright,.and then we watched Chocolat and drank ghot chocolate, a nice way to get over the fact that we were missing our Zimbos. In the morning though the bread was completely inedible so we decided to get creatiuve with oats rasins and the last of the milk. Sadly what we thought was sugar was salt and so the last of our miolk went in the bin and we ended up having oats raisis and water for breakfast, incredibly staisfying as you can imagine. Jill picked us up about 9 after finally getting the borrowed van to start( a promising beginning) and we dropped her friend off at the airport and carried on towards the border. About ten minutes from border we stopped for lunch in Mutare (lovely cafe with a crazy waiter but stunning chocolate and coffee milkshakes) However Mutare was where we stayed until about half 6 as the vanb wouldnt sart again and it turned out that the entire fuel pump needed replacing. But God was in control as we were literally across the road from a mechanics who sorted it all out and we got to go back and have another choccocino.
So we crossed the border as it was getting dark, very smoothly thanbks we think to a large bag of sweets, and then stopped for petrol( a luxury- back in a country with fuel and mobile phones). We got to Chimoio about an hour into Mozambique when the sky opened and the combination of rain and night made it nearly impossible for Jill to see the road, we surviverd by closely following a truck with good head light. BUT we losat the truch in Gondola, and without her guide Jill drove sraight through a massive puddle, filling the engine with water,We stopped. At the top of a hill. In the dark. Still pouring. In GONDOLA, the middle of nowhere, joy! Jill ad I got thouroughkly soaked trying to push the van to the sidfe of the road and then she stuck her head in the engine and tried sucking fuel, apparently it doesnt taste nice! The car still didn't start. But God was still looking after us(he must have been having quite a day trying to keep us with everything) and Jill rang up a friend that lived atthe bottom of the hill, what are the chances. He was a pastor who had studied at teh bible school where she iused to work and had moved to Gondola because of his wifes job. He had a car and a houe so towed us there ( rope only snapped twice- wheres the excitement in that) and let us sleep in his spare room ( again chances of a Mozambican having a spare room?!) We didnt sleep much as it was a choice between roasting in a sleeping bag or havong cockroaces crawl all over you but we were safe and dry and the car just needed a chance to dry out. The next morning we heard that lovely sound of an engine starting up, Jill left it running while we were eating breakfast as she was scared it wouldnt start again) and finally we completed the supposedly 9 hour journey. Only 27 hours, not too bad, but I think it must have put Jill off ever drining back form Zimbabwe again!
So there you have it our hliday finally completed for you reading delight. It was an awesome holiday sepite the rain, wet clothes and various transport issues, God was cmpletely in control and batted back whatever was thrown our way. Do thank you^.
But back to Beira, interesting development this weekend as Jill was taken into Avicena on Friday night and then flown to Joburg with appendicitis on Saturday., DShe has had the operation now but will be staying with friends there for a few weeks to get better in a slightly nicer climate and without people knocking on the door every five minutes. Unfortunately( i think the miost tragic part of the whle story) she missed out on our roast dinner on friday night, including bread sauce! Shocking!
OOOOOOOhhhhhhhhhhhhh really exciting news from the house of Rosa , the other week Marlene suddenly announbced that she wanted to come to church with me which is really great as she is quite into horoscopes and palm reading so promising stuff. And on saturday both her and Euridice said that they would come to church(they didnt but i think that is due to water issues and rosas parents staying)so keep praying for them!
Anyway really have to go now so byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeexxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Holiday-take 2

Yay finally blogger is working again.
So where were we? I will put the hioliday on hold as other things have been going on in Beira. we are now officially a team, of Five, Sophies friend Emma, fresh from Bible school on Austria, flew out to join us Mozzies on Tuesday and she has now moved on to the sofa of lovliness. Its shocking I am having to keep the room tidy! So this week we have been showing her the important parts of Beira, internet, post office, Riviera and of course the beach. We have also been over to Vaz a few times to introduce people, although Pastor Samuel and Leonora seem to have disappeared!
We had a really nice afternoon yesterday. Emma and I went to Vaz for our community vsiting programme and went with Miquitio, Manuel and Valentin to visit a lady who lives in the middle of nowhere at the end of the airport bus route, so to get there we were bumping over giant pot holes in a rickety old bus. It was great fun, and a really good opportunity to practice our Portuguese and their English. then on the way back into Beira afetr the others had got off Emma and I entertained everyone singing cheesy christian songs (we were trying to work out the best one to teach the kids). We have a day off today which is nice as we got a much needed lie in. The others have a day off too bcause of the rain which means they can't get into munhave so team time!
Anyway to the holiday. The day after rafting(sorry family- thought you knew about the capsize) I became official photographer while the other girls threw themselves off cliffs attatched to ropes and in two cases, elastic. Was scary enough just watching them do it. Then in the evening we went to The Boma Place of Eating, which was amazing fun. Ad you go in you are dressed in Capulanas and then given a welcome talk and some traditional drink and nibbles, before choosing a starter. Crocodile, it tastes really nice, a sort of fishy chicken. Then the other course (we had 7 over all) were buffet style, so naturally we tried everything, Warthog(absolutely gorgeous) Ostrich(nice but a bit chewy) and Mopani worms(disgusting-chewy charcoal). We alkso got face paints and at one point they handed out drums to evryone and we were led in a big old drumming sesh, it sounded amazing. It was a really great way to end our time at Victoria falls.
The next day (new years eve)it was chucking it down as we left Vic falls for Hwange national park. We were dure to go on a game drive that afternoon but they sent a truck that was only registered for seven people, so we had to postpone until the next morning, instead Sarah and I went swimming in the rain and then had an exciting shower in little reed things under the trees, it was strange lookin gup and seeing the sky. The power went off when it got dark(very useful) so we had a candlelit three course dinmner made by Jerry and then played silly games(the animal game but using books of the bible), before giving up and going to bed at eleven. But we all decided that our new years eve was the day before so weren't too disappointed.
In the morning we got up to go on the game drive., sadly it was still raining so not many animals were abut but we saw lots of giraffe and zebras, some wildebest and a few crocodiles, worth getting a bit wet for.
I am afraid we have to head off for lkunch now so antelope park, Mazviadei and the trip home will have to wait, I just love to keep you all in suspense, but God was soo good to us. Everything that went wrong he was completely in control, and as you can tell, got us safely back to Beira!
Speak soon, Rachelxxx

HOLIDAY!!!!!!!!

We are back in Sunny old Beira after two amazing, slightly scary in places and rather wet weeks in Zimbabwe. The adventure started on Sunday morning, we were supposed to be picked up by George the Chapa guy at quarter past 4 and he was going to drive us all the way to Harare. So we waited, and then waited and then waited a bit more, just as we were about to make a new plan he showed up (bout 5 o'clock) so we clambered on(i somehow managed to rip my last nice tshirt) and waited for the chapa to fill up. Picture me Sophie and Amber squeezd onto the back seat f a mini bus with my big rucksack and three other backpacks on oiur aps and under our feet, and a 'large' zimbabwean lady and her shopping next to us. We felt like we were in a deodorant advert (not because we smelt) as we could only move our arms from the elbows, interesting trying to eat crisps, and then at one point they handed out mangoes as well! So we settled in for the 8 hour journey, about 3 hours in at Chimoio we found out that they werent going all the way to Harare after all and we would have to get out at the Border. Slight panic. However jill was on the way a few hours behind us in a borrowed pick up so we got out and waited for three hours, handing out bananas to passers by, listening to music and playing cards with the border guards, it was a very surreal chrstmas eve. Jill picked us up in the end and we drove on through to Zimbabwe, rolling around with loads of luggage in the back, still comfier than a chapa though. Zimbabwe was immediately really different from Mozambique, stopping for a drink in Mutare ten minutes from the border the three of us had culture shock. There are proper looking houses and shops, it all seems realy western and you could forget you are in Africa(temporarily- some things are very african still), there were hardly any people around, no capulanas, no chapas, and more white people than we had seen in months, bizarre, especially in Harare, we kept seeing people and wondering why they didnt look at all surprised to see three young white girls. The land is different to around Beira too, the mountains are stunning, all covered in trees, it was very cool to see our first hill in three months. So we got to Harare, and the flat we were staying in at about 7, loooong day, and put our presents under the tree. Annoyingly none of our phones were working o we were all upset that we couldnt get a message through to our families to let them know we were there and give them a number to call us on, but we did cook rather lovely spaghetti which cheered us up! Christmas morning we woke up to find that Santa had been and left us mini stockings(can't think who it was , really can't, mystery to me, odd that he used my socks though). Then we had beans on toast for breakfast and found our way to a church. Another culture shock moment sitting in a Church not made out of basic materials, (actually looked a bit like nanna and poppas church) and singing Hymns in English. Was strange though as one side of the Church was lack and the other white, after being completely immersed in our churches it felt really odd and wrong. After church we opened our presents, including Lizzies stocking that her mum sent(we had the cup a soup for boxing day lunch-very nice thank you). Amazingly a text had got home to Sophies family the night before so they rang and then called mine and Ambers families, so we all got calls from our parents which was great, very happy. The rest of the day we sent at friends of Kevin and Kates (Oasis Zimbabwe country directors), being introduced to tyhe amazing, if slightly violent, pool rugby, basically two teams doing whatever they can to score a try on the edge, the only rules being the offside rule, and not being allowed to duck girls under for more than three minutes. It was a great and exhausting Christmas, we all loved that it was so different to normal as it meant that we didn't miss home too much.
Boxing day we went to a flea market round the corne, we had been looking for clothes shops but they were all shut, so instead we spent all of the Zim money that we had on very touristy things, like shakers and miniture hippos, useful stuff you know. Later that day the Zim girls came over to stay the night before we set off in the mornign for our ACTS adventure. It was really nice to see them again, Bryonys hair had grown loads(she shaved it off to raise money), and we had loooooads to catch up on. They have had such a different experience to us.
The next day we were picked up by our guide Jerry 'Just Joking', and set off in our lovely minibus called Lilly (followed by the trailer called Boris), along with MArk a guy on a professional placement with Oasis filling Lizzie's place. Stoppe for Lunch at Antelope park and then went on to Bulawayo and Granite ridge. We stayed the night at the very top of a thatched Boma overlookinbg an awesome view, and woke up to see the sunrise over a rocky valley, stunning stuff. Then after a lovely breakfast in a bakery, on to Victoria Falls. We went to see them that afternoon, amazing, God must have really enjoyed that bit. We got some cool photos, they look as if we have been superimposed on the falls are that awesome!
Friday was possibly the most exhausting and scary day ever! All eight f us girls decided to go white water rafting. So we started the day being picked up at 8 to go for a introductory saftey talk, and of course sign the form to say we wouldnt sue(!) Then we were driven to the gorge, kitted up, and began the loooong hard treek down. Some amusing falls and much bum shuffling down laddewrs. At the bottom was a calm area where we practiced paddling,'get down' and of course 'get out!'. Then we were off, starting with rapid 11 'The overland truck Eater' a promising sounding name, but it was fun and we survived, even managed to wave at the camera. So all was good until rapid 13 'THE MOTHER' (grandparents stop reading now) we had barely started when we were flipped and all of us ended up under the boat, once out from under the boat it was just us and the rapid, trying to keep breathing in the intervals between waves, it seemed to go on forever. And thehn suddenly we were spat out into a calm area, slightly shaken up, but on we went. When we got to #15 'The washing Machine' the worst one we would have to do, a grade 5 (rapids go up to grade 6 but only kayaks can handle grade 6) we were all petrified and Simon our guide just told us to paddle hard to the right, So thats what we did (except for me, you can tell on the DVD that i have fallen into the boatand actually am just paddling in mid air) and we survivved, very exciting, later that evening watching the DVD there is a scene with a raft just flipping over and over, so glad that we watched that after doing it.
8 rapids later (fnishing with #23 the morning shower) we made the horrible trek up the girge to a lovely lunch, completely shatterd and a bit wet. It was quite surreal after the rapids jumping out of the bpoat and floating along in the current of the Zambezi surrounded by the amazing gorge, quite an experience!
It is now getting quite late (well quarter to six) so I will have to finish another day. So happy new year to everyone
Rachelxxxx