Village Visit, Zambia

On our final day at the Royal

Livingstone we were free to spend as we liked, including revisiting the falls.  We had by then met Jon from Christchurch, originally from the UK.  He had managed to arrange for a small group including us for a private tour to a local village.  It was extremely hot so took the umbrellas for a little shade.

The village was an eye-opener as to where local Zambians are born into and often cannot escape.  Extreme poverty.  Cooking on an outside fire.  Very basic living.  No running water or electricity. 

 Our guide encouraged us to walk freely around the village and we were able to take photos of anything - tourists very commonplace here and one of the main ways this tribe earns a living.  What struck me was given how close the Victoria Falls were to this village of 7000 people, which had been in existence for 500 years, how such an enormous natural resource was not utlised at all, or at least was not able to be.

Lots of groups of very drunk/high men intoxicated by their home-made brew which looked a pretty nasty dark brown. 

Many delightful children running around playing with home-made water guns – drink bottles with holes cut in the lids.  They loved seeing photos of themselves…a real treat.  Dished out as many muesli bars as I had on hand which were eagerly devoured.