Z countries

Today, we head to Victoria Falls, Mosi-oa-Tunya, the Smoke that Thunders. The waterfall is situated in southern Africa on the Zambezi River between the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe. The falls are, by some measures, the most enormous waterfall in the world, as well as being among the most unusual in form, and having arguably the most diverse and easily seen wildlife of any major waterfall site.

Back when we started planning the trip, there was a chance of accessing the waterfall by way of Zimbabwe. Given the "deteriorating situation" in Zimbabwe, our plans have changed. We're going through Zambia.

As of Monday, December 15, the day before I left for Africa, the New York Times reported the following:

"The United Nations Security Council held a high-level meeting on Monday, including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Foreign Minister David Miliband of Britain, on the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe, but it failed to break an impasse that has lasted since July. Although there was a consensus that the humanitarian situation was appalling, Russia and South Africa opposed any outside intervention, saying the crisis should be solved by regional negotiations. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said that there had been more than 18,400 cases of cholera reported so far, that school attendance was down to 20 percent and that 80 percent of the country lacked safe drinking water. The World Health Organization in Geneva released new figures saying that 978 people had died of cholera."

A few weeks ago, a month or so, I read "When a Crocodile Eats the Sun," a wonderful memoir from a man who called Zimbabwe home. Between that and "Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight," I have learned a little more about the nation and its heart-wrenching history in the late 20th century and the past few years. I almost want to visit. But not now, and I feel a little guilty about that because so many people don't have a choice. This is their home.


Written on December 15 and autoposted to correlate with the trip.

Tag: Zambia Vacation Travel