The Day I Sat on the Edge of One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World (among other amazing things)

Seriously, this day was so amazing that it was tough to decide what to title this blog. And usually, the titles are the easiest part for me. 

 I taught fifth grade World History for about 12 years. Each year I would wish that there was some way that I could transport my students to the places we learned about. It wasn't like in fourth grade where they learned Alabama History and could go and see and touch all of the things they were learning to make it come to life and be more interesting. We had to stick to the book and pictures and videos. 

 Never in my wildest dreams did ever think that I would actually have the opportunity I had this last week!

 I have always had a soft spot in my heart for Africa. I have always wanted to go, but again, never dreamed that I would actually GET to GO! 

 Then the phone call came from a friend of ours who has a ministry that was taking a trip to...AFRICA! Would we consider going with their team? Yes, yes, yes, yes, YES! A thousand times YES!!!! 

 Then we had to do ALL THE THINGS to prepare to go. Whith Covid doing nothing to help and all things to complicate. As excited as I was to go, I was also a bit nervous about the Covid factor. But I was sure that if God opened the door and made a way, He would protect us. 

 So, we held our breath until we finally landed in Africa. and we held our breath many times in between as we traveled from place to place needing all the papers and praying for favor many times over. Sometimes things lined up just in the nick of time, but never too late. 

 We had a full week of ministry. Our team had the chance to minister to a precious group of people. Teaching them ways to disciple others. Discussing how to read the Bible on their own. We were able to serve people from Seventh grade on up through to the oldest widow, who they guestimated to be in her 80's. 

 After our week of ministry, we scheduled about two and a half days to do some sight seeing. One of the things on the agenda was to see Victoria Falls. A place I had taught about for years. I was going to get to see it in person. 

 Missionary David Livingstone is said to have "discovered" the falls. Of course the people who lived there had always known of its existence. They called it the Smoke that Thunders. Because the falls made so much mist, that it looked like smoke to them, and the water crashing over the edge was so loud that it sounded like thunder to them. After seeing it in person, I would say it was a great descriptive name for the falls. David Livingstone named it Victoria Falls after Queen Victoria.

 In person, it is absolutely breathtaking. I was jumping up and down by the time we got there. I was SO EXCITED! We were oohing and aahing over the majesty and beauty of the falls when a little guy over to the side got our attention and urged us on to the next viewing spot so that we could see the rainbow. The view he proclaimed did not disappoint. He obviously knew his stuff. 

 Then, he urged us on to the next spot. Each spot just as beautiful and breathtaking as the one before.

He let us take it all in, as we made our way around the right of the falls to the banks of the Zambezi River. It was beautiful and peaceful just mere yards from the crashing falls.

Again, he gave us time to bask in the beauty. Then, when he knew he had lured us in, he gave us his sales pitch. "If you walk this way, you can cross the river on that cement over there (from where we stood, it looked like a large cement slab that spanned the river with the water flowing over its edge and then turning and dropping over the falls). It is only about this deep (as he motioned with his hand about halfway up his shin). To that island over there. You can see the falls from a different direction. Get great pictures. Come! Come!" 

 Two of us were automatically in. I wanted to go, but I had on tennis shoes, and did not want to walk in wet tennis shoes the rest of the time. One of us who did not want to go offered to switch shoes with me. When it turned out that she wore the same size as me, the deal was sealed. I was in! We quickly switched shoes, and I was off with the other two who chose to walk across the river in mid-shin deep water to the island to get "great pictures". 

 I'm glad that I didn't know then what I know now, because I might have missed out on the adventure of a lifetime.

 We followed our new friend around on a dirt path, and about halfway there, we were joined by one of his friends. He stepped into the water first and took the hand of one of our team members, then instructed her to take the hand of our other team member. Then his friend took her hand and I completed the line.

 The cement we were to walk across, was NOT a cement slab as it had so innocently appeared from across the way. It was actually about the width of a balance beam. We faced the current and side stepped across it with our toes hanging off one side and our heels hanging off the other. He was more correct about the depth. It was not too deep, only reaching about our knees in the middle of the crossing.

I kept glancing up thinking we must be almost there, but we had not even made it halfway across. I was gripping our unknown friend's hand like my life depended on it. A little past halfway, we had to let go of each other's hands and shimmy around a large rock. Then at the other side we had to turn a corner, and dodge some tree branches before finally making it to said island.  I wondered what my Prince must be thinking.

 I wondered what in the world was I thinking?!? 

 I was equally scared and excited.  

Then the "guides" turned and started back across the river that was flowing over the falls. We made our little train of people again and worked our way across. They led us to one of the dry rocks that jutted out over the water flowing over the falls, and directed us to stand and took our pictures one at a time. I did not go to the edge while standing, because I was too scared. Then they led us to another group of dry rocks and encouraged us to go out on the rock for more pictures. I did sit down and make my way to the edge of that rock and let my foot hang over the edge. I also asked the little guy to hand me my phone, and THERE my friends is where I got my "great picture".

After standing up, and making my way back from the edge, I looked at my phone, and saw that I had a message from one of our team members on the other side. This is what it said:

I asked one of the ladies with me if she had seen the message. She said, "No, what did it say?"  I told her that she did NOT want to know. 

 By this time it was time to go back across. My adrenaline was through the roof! They told us it would be faster going on our way back. I was glad I went, but I was really ready to be back and safe on the other side. We made our way back to the island, and then started our trek back across the cement balance beam. We asked questions about their families and them about ours. And before we knew it, we were back to safety. 

I could not wait to get back to my Prince to see what he was thinking. I was on top of the world!!! It was so exhilarating! I am usually not a daredevil in any way shape or form, but that experience was amazing! 

 Later one of the ladies said that on our trip back, she did see a baby snake swim by in the water about 6 to 8 inches from her leg. We joked that not only did we sit on the edge of one of the seven wonders of the world, but that we also "swam with Black Mambas". 

 They say just a month before or a month after and we would not have been able to do what we did. It was perfect timing. Official guides or not, our little guys took great care of us, and of course expected to be tipped for their services. We of course, tipped them well. At least I think we did. We paid them in Zambian kwacha. I trust that the ladies who know more about it than I do made sure we did the guys right. 

When we made our way back to My Prince, and I asked what he was thinking he said he was thinking about the Ray Stevens song The Camping Trip and the lyrics where he is talking about watching their Land Rover floating off "last I saw was the tail lights going over the falls - State Farm ain't ever gonna believe this!" I was hoping for more of "I thought you were going to die! I'm so glad you are safe! I love you so much! You are the craziest, bravest person I know! Hey everyone! This is MY wife!" Followed by big relieved kiss. Nope. Nothing like that. Not what I got at all. I got Ray Stevens lyrics. Girls, be sure to marry someone romantic like I did. 

In his defense, he was temporarily distracted by a passing baboon. 

After our crazy experience, we continued on around to see the falls from the front side. We also went down to the bottom to see the Boiling Pot as they call it, where the water at the bottom of the falls creates whirl pools that make it look as though the water was boiling. We were a little disapointed that we could not see the falls from the bottom, but the trip down was beautiful; almost like going through a tropical rain forest.

On the way back up, I slammed my toe into a boulder that did not give way one tiny iota. I truly believe that I broke my poor toe. But, in keeping with the spirit of the adventurous day, I mean we had already sat on the edge of one of the seven wonders of the world, and swam with Black Mambas, I could not claim breaking my toe by kicking a rock. So the story is that an elephant stepped on my toe and broke it, and I'm sticking to it! 

 Before we reached the top, we did find ourselves in the middle of a troop of baboons. From older ones grooming younger ones, to males fighting, to a momma with a baby on her back. They were all around us on both sides of the trail. They were very interesting to watch, although I do not have a problem admitting that I was a little nervous standing there in the middle of their territory. They paid us no mind though, and went on with their regular business. 

That night we went on a sunset dinner cruise down the Zambezi river. It was a relaxing, calm evening to a very exciting day. We saw many hippos and watched elephants play in the mud. The sunset was beautiful. I hated for the day to end.

I said earlier that if I had known then what I know now, I might have missed the opportunity of a lifetime, but that is not true. I would do it all again in a heartbeat. 

Our God is an amazing creator and has made an unbelievably magnificent world for us to enjoy. I am beyond grateful for the chance to go to Africa and have this and many other amazing experiences.

Seriously, if you ever get a chance to go, GO! And be sure to go in August. And take the opportunity to sit on the edge of Victoria Falls. And swim with Black Mambas. I promise you will NOT regret it! But watch out for the elephants, they will step on your toes!