Zambia..in a Day!

Zambia also has a section of Victoria Falls, so we decided to check out the view from the other side of the border. And just like the man we met the day before, we decided to walk there from Zimbabwe rather than cabbing it. To get to Zambia, you have to pass through two  border checkpoints (one for leaving Zimbabwe and one for entering Zambia) that are connected by the Friendship Bridge. All along the bridge artists sell their wares to tourists - from copper bracelets to wooden rhinos. For all you adrenaline junkies, you can go bungee jumping from the bridge too. Though I am not sure if the adrenaline is from bungee-ing or the fact your are doing it from an old...bridge... in the center of a third world country...in Africa.

In front of the Zambian section of the falls there are numerous "stalls" selling numerous souvineers from wood carvings to stone working. The guys certainly have their sales pitch down..when someone asks you "Hey where are you from," it's hard (if not impossible) to give the cold shoulder and the standard "no thank you" doesn't exactly work in this situation.  The problem is that when you stop in a shop and buy something, the next shop owner says "looking is free, come into my shop too."

That spray in the distance is from the Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls

The Falls were a little disappointing from the Zambian side though everyone was very quick to point out that it was because it was dry season.  After viewing the Falls, we decided to do some shopping.  After buying a few things, we headed to Livingstone, the closest large town in Zambia.  The guy working at the stall near the Falls where we bought a few things had offered to arrange a taxi for us.  However, when the taxi pulled up, he jumped in as well and said that he would show us around.  Initially, this put me off a little bit but it didn't take long for us to appreciate Martin. He was amazingly hospitable and took us off the beaten track and we certainly saw many things that we would not have seen otherwise!

Livingstone has one main street that is paved, but once you go one street in, you are on dusty dirt roads.  Martin showed us the local crafts market and some of the historical sites - including the oldest standing hotel in the city - over 100 years old (standing...but not operational).  Then we headed to the local market which had everything from fruits and vegetables to dried fish to knitted blankets.  The back section of the market was where the restaurants were located...and an electronic repair store where they were patiently repairing DVD players and TVs.

Zambian BBQ chicken

TV repair, how about DVD player?

From Livingstone, Martin insisted on taking us to see his village.  Mukuni Village was completely in the middle of nowhere - a good 20 minutes off the main road, accessible only by a long dirt road (which the taxi driver anticipated as he stopped at the gas station beforehand to inflate his tires!)

Mukuni Village, Zambia

Eating Zambia Fruit 

Village craftsmen 

First, Martin took us over to an area where 6 guys were listening to BBC radio working on their woodwork (where the things we had bought by the Falls that morning actually get made!) Then we ran into his grandmother who was collecting fruit that had fallen to the ground. She offered us some fresh fruit and we certainly couldn't turn her down and surprisingly we were glad we didn't - it was pretty good!

A group of boys came by as well. They were a little shy until I showed them the photos I had taken of them and then they went crazy, practically taking the camera out of my hands.  These boys were amazing - living in a remote village in homes without electricity or toilets much less a computer or the latest video game but they were almost without a doubt the most carefree and joyful kids we have ever met.  Smiles and laughs all around! We loved every minute of it!  

Then we met Martin's brother. He and his family are quite the entrepreneurs!  His two boys (both less than 10!) were preparing juice in bags to freeze and then sell to their friends at school.  His wife was making beer in an old oil drum.  He informed me that the beer had been fermenting for 4 days and tomorrow they would cook it and then would be selling cups to other villagers for basically a dime a cup. He joked that it took 4-5 days to make but only 1 day to drink! 

Backyard Beer - Mukini Village style! 

Thanks Martin!