Hello All!
10 of us arrived this morning at JFK
Rahul landed before us in India.
The West-coasters are on their flight shortly (if not already).
Neil is soon to board his flight to Korea
The Hotchkiss Gang (Elizabeth, Lancy, Bean & Mr. B) are in the northwest corner.
Nan and Charlotte were met by their fan clubs
Mrs. F is hanging out in NYC
We are all safe and sound!
Hotchkiss in Zambia 2009 is complete!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
JoBurg... baby :-)
We have landed safely in South Africa and are awaiting our 7:00pm boarding time for our long flight to NYC-JFK!
This is the penultimate post.
I will post again one last time when I return to Hotchkiss!
Looking forward to seeing Family & Friends SOON,
Mr. B
for the Hotchkiss in Zambia Trip
This is the penultimate post.
I will post again one last time when I return to Hotchkiss!
Looking forward to seeing Family & Friends SOON,
Mr. B
for the Hotchkiss in Zambia Trip
SIGN OFFS
Lancy
This trip of firsts has flown by. As I write this in the breakfast room of our hotel, I can remember our first morning in Zambia, eating in this same room, unsure of how this journey would play out. To say it went completely smoothly would be untrue. There were bumps along the way, tiffs, long car rides, sleepless nights, intense culture shock. Ultimately, though, this trip has been one of the best experiences of my life. Learning and experiencing a culture so different from our own made me realize how much I appreciate my life, but also how extravagant it can be. The Zambian people embraced us with open arms, and all of us came away with new friends. From teaching at Ibex and Leopard’s to seeing giraffes and zebras to having tea on Livingston Island, this trip has been unforgettable. I am excited, however, to go home to friends and family (and bed) that I have missed these last few weeks.
Lancy
Nan
I have had a wonderful time here in Africa! I am so glad that I came! Now after 3 weeks however, I am ready to go home and be with my family.
Charlotte
I learned a lot in Zambia. I learned that I live a privileged lifestyle and not to take advantage of it. Most of the trip was a lot of fun, which was great! Victoria Falls was a highlight! I really enjoyed learning the culture of Zambia and realizing how nice the people are. I am definitely looking forward to relaxing at home.
Elizabeth:
Africa was amazing. The trip of culture, experience, and fun, was terrific. Although some aspects were hard, I have had a wonderful time. The people here embraced us, and are some of the friendliest people I have ever met. The trip was one of the best I have been on.
Alexandra Bolhack
Our short time in Zambia flew by very quickly. While I was here, I learned how privileged my life is compared to many lives here. I was also able to see some of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen in my entire life. The animals I got to see up close and Victoria Falls will never fade in my memory. I hope to one day visit Zambia again.
Alexandra Bentley
Zambia has been sooo amazing. I can’t believe we have already spent three weeks here! We have done so much in this short time and have been able to see so many new creatures that I never thought I would see. I even got soaked by Victoria Falls!! That is a once in a lifetime experience. I was so happy to meet all these nice and exciting people. I can’t believe we’re going home! I hope to return to Zambia someday. I had such an amazing experience.
Neil You
It was a special experience. Africa was really different from what I have expected. I realized that there are a lot of people who are starving in Africa and they need some help. Apart from that, Africa had amazing scenery like Victoria Falls and mountains and I took many pictures of it. However, I am sad that I could not take any pictures of lions. Zambia was great and I hope I come to Africa again.
Bean
This was the experience of a lifetime, and a lot of fun. We all learned a lot about Zambia and the culture, while helping out as much as we could in the community. We had a blast especially in Livingstone at the end; I loved seeing all those wild animals for the first time. There were alot of firsts on this trip, good ones and bad ones, but altogether I am very greatful and glad that I came. Hopefully I will get to return. Now we're off to the 18 hour flight!
This trip of firsts has flown by. As I write this in the breakfast room of our hotel, I can remember our first morning in Zambia, eating in this same room, unsure of how this journey would play out. To say it went completely smoothly would be untrue. There were bumps along the way, tiffs, long car rides, sleepless nights, intense culture shock. Ultimately, though, this trip has been one of the best experiences of my life. Learning and experiencing a culture so different from our own made me realize how much I appreciate my life, but also how extravagant it can be. The Zambian people embraced us with open arms, and all of us came away with new friends. From teaching at Ibex and Leopard’s to seeing giraffes and zebras to having tea on Livingston Island, this trip has been unforgettable. I am excited, however, to go home to friends and family (and bed) that I have missed these last few weeks.
Lancy
Nan
I have had a wonderful time here in Africa! I am so glad that I came! Now after 3 weeks however, I am ready to go home and be with my family.
Charlotte
I learned a lot in Zambia. I learned that I live a privileged lifestyle and not to take advantage of it. Most of the trip was a lot of fun, which was great! Victoria Falls was a highlight! I really enjoyed learning the culture of Zambia and realizing how nice the people are. I am definitely looking forward to relaxing at home.
Elizabeth:
Africa was amazing. The trip of culture, experience, and fun, was terrific. Although some aspects were hard, I have had a wonderful time. The people here embraced us, and are some of the friendliest people I have ever met. The trip was one of the best I have been on.
Alexandra Bolhack
Our short time in Zambia flew by very quickly. While I was here, I learned how privileged my life is compared to many lives here. I was also able to see some of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen in my entire life. The animals I got to see up close and Victoria Falls will never fade in my memory. I hope to one day visit Zambia again.
Alexandra Bentley
Zambia has been sooo amazing. I can’t believe we have already spent three weeks here! We have done so much in this short time and have been able to see so many new creatures that I never thought I would see. I even got soaked by Victoria Falls!! That is a once in a lifetime experience. I was so happy to meet all these nice and exciting people. I can’t believe we’re going home! I hope to return to Zambia someday. I had such an amazing experience.
Neil You
It was a special experience. Africa was really different from what I have expected. I realized that there are a lot of people who are starving in Africa and they need some help. Apart from that, Africa had amazing scenery like Victoria Falls and mountains and I took many pictures of it. However, I am sad that I could not take any pictures of lions. Zambia was great and I hope I come to Africa again.
Bean
This was the experience of a lifetime, and a lot of fun. We all learned a lot about Zambia and the culture, while helping out as much as we could in the community. We had a blast especially in Livingstone at the end; I loved seeing all those wild animals for the first time. There were alot of firsts on this trip, good ones and bad ones, but altogether I am very greatful and glad that I came. Hopefully I will get to return. Now we're off to the 18 hour flight!
Sign-Off's - Mr. B & Mrs. F
Mr. B
Hello and goodbye. This has been a truly wonderful experience. It is astounding how much I have learned/experienced even in the moments of our trip that were not organized. Lusaka was intense. Our work, while noble, did not seem to scratch the surface of what we could accomplish in this burgeoning metropolis. Highlights for me were getting to know Tommy, a Williams grad who is spending a year working with Grassroots Soccer in Lusaka, and walking through the streets of Lusaka and into the market to visit the street kids. As was typical with both Tommy and our walk there was more to take in than I could physically experience (Tommy and I were also a bit distracted as we were watching the US be defeated by Brazil). Our “travel” section of the trip highlighted for me the great privilege I enjoy daily. I was humbled by our posh accommodation and embarrassed that I lived in such luxury while others around me, indeed those who make the country operate, did not. It is good to have these moments of clarity and I am grateful that we experienced the tourism industry if only that it provided a great counterpoint to the first portion of our trip. The natural beauty (VicFalls, Zambezi, Flora, Fauna) of Zambia would take many blog posts to even poorly capture, so I will not attempt. I only say that it has been awe-inspiring and unforgettable.
Mr. B SIGNING OFF!
Mrs. Flemma
I cannot believe that we are flying home today. In some ways, it feels as though we have been here for a long time, but in others, it feels like we have barely been able to unpack. There is so much to look back upon. My favorite memories of the trip as a whole would be: teaching with Rahul, Alex and Alex at Ibex Hill School, the late night dance party in the girls dorm at Chalo, my dear roommate- Isabel- at Chalo who shared her room and heart with me, EVERYTHING about being at Kayila Lodge (including seeing our first wildlife!), horse back riding with giraffe and zebras, and experiencing high tea on Livingstone Island, which was an experience of a life time. Memories are flooding back in as I type this brief summary…there is so much more to recount. It has been a wonderful experience getting to know this group of Hotchkiss students. While I will miss spending time with them, I have to admit that I am ready to see my own family again in a day! Great memories- thank you! Diana Flemma
Hello and goodbye. This has been a truly wonderful experience. It is astounding how much I have learned/experienced even in the moments of our trip that were not organized. Lusaka was intense. Our work, while noble, did not seem to scratch the surface of what we could accomplish in this burgeoning metropolis. Highlights for me were getting to know Tommy, a Williams grad who is spending a year working with Grassroots Soccer in Lusaka, and walking through the streets of Lusaka and into the market to visit the street kids. As was typical with both Tommy and our walk there was more to take in than I could physically experience (Tommy and I were also a bit distracted as we were watching the US be defeated by Brazil). Our “travel” section of the trip highlighted for me the great privilege I enjoy daily. I was humbled by our posh accommodation and embarrassed that I lived in such luxury while others around me, indeed those who make the country operate, did not. It is good to have these moments of clarity and I am grateful that we experienced the tourism industry if only that it provided a great counterpoint to the first portion of our trip. The natural beauty (VicFalls, Zambezi, Flora, Fauna) of Zambia would take many blog posts to even poorly capture, so I will not attempt. I only say that it has been awe-inspiring and unforgettable.
Mr. B SIGNING OFF!
Mrs. Flemma
I cannot believe that we are flying home today. In some ways, it feels as though we have been here for a long time, but in others, it feels like we have barely been able to unpack. There is so much to look back upon. My favorite memories of the trip as a whole would be: teaching with Rahul, Alex and Alex at Ibex Hill School, the late night dance party in the girls dorm at Chalo, my dear roommate- Isabel- at Chalo who shared her room and heart with me, EVERYTHING about being at Kayila Lodge (including seeing our first wildlife!), horse back riding with giraffe and zebras, and experiencing high tea on Livingstone Island, which was an experience of a life time. Memories are flooding back in as I type this brief summary…there is so much more to recount. It has been a wonderful experience getting to know this group of Hotchkiss students. While I will miss spending time with them, I have to admit that I am ready to see my own family again in a day! Great memories- thank you! Diana Flemma
Monday, July 6, 2009
Day 18
Today...we drove. We were in the car for 8 hours as we left Livingston and drove back to Lusaka from where we will take our flight out tomorrow.
I've had a great time on this trip. Livingstone and the Lower Zambezi were amazing, and the kids at Chalo, Ibex Hill and Leopards Hill were unforgettable. I didn't really know any of the Hotchkiss kids before I came on this trip (except Neil) and I'm really glad I got to know them better as well.
We are all going to go to bed and wake up fresh for our flight tomorrow.
-Rahul
I've had a great time on this trip. Livingstone and the Lower Zambezi were amazing, and the kids at Chalo, Ibex Hill and Leopards Hill were unforgettable. I didn't really know any of the Hotchkiss kids before I came on this trip (except Neil) and I'm really glad I got to know them better as well.
We are all going to go to bed and wake up fresh for our flight tomorrow.
-Rahul
Day 17 – Alexandra Bolhack
During the night, Bean and I slept in the same adventure tent at around 3 in the morning she threw up, but it did not get on anything of value so we were all thankful. She is much better today after some rest!
Once the morning came, we all took a horseback safari. Although we woke up very early, we all got to see giraffe and zebras up close! In total there were about seven zebras and three giraffe, one of which was only 5 months old! After the horseback safari we all collected for lunch and headed back to Victoria Falls. There, we went to Knife’s point and all got drench from the spray of the falls. Although we were soaked, we got to see the falls up close.
As soon as we dried off, we all piled into the van and drove by boat to Livingstone Island to have high tea. While there, we all got the chance to stand and sit inches away from the edge of the falls. After we got a tour of the island, we were able to have some tea and snacks. Seeing the falls this close was an experience of a lifetime.
Tomorrow we start our long journey home and we all can not wait to see you!!!
Once the morning came, we all took a horseback safari. Although we woke up very early, we all got to see giraffe and zebras up close! In total there were about seven zebras and three giraffe, one of which was only 5 months old! After the horseback safari we all collected for lunch and headed back to Victoria Falls. There, we went to Knife’s point and all got drench from the spray of the falls. Although we were soaked, we got to see the falls up close.
As soon as we dried off, we all piled into the van and drove by boat to Livingstone Island to have high tea. While there, we all got the chance to stand and sit inches away from the edge of the falls. After we got a tour of the island, we were able to have some tea and snacks. Seeing the falls this close was an experience of a lifetime.
Tomorrow we start our long journey home and we all can not wait to see you!!!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Day 16 – Elizabeth
Today was amazing- the perfect remedy for yesterdays long drive. We woke up early and had a large buffet breakfast. We then travelled down the road to the helicopter tours. We split into groups of three and each had a remarkable time flying over Victoria Falls. The guide also pointed out zebra and impala grazing below us. Following this, we drove to a bridge, downstream to the falls. This was picturesque, and we able to cross into Zimbabwe briefly. The group walked down to the “boiling point”, a scenic site overlooking the Zambezi, where the hike down involved wading in water and climbing over rocks, but it was worth the effort. We returned to the waterfront lodge for lunch and then Ms. Flemma took the group to an elephant reserve, while Mr. Babcock went on a sunset cruise. The elephants were terrific. Each us were paired into two and rode on the backs of the rescued elephants with a guide. Bean, our leader Christopher, and I rode on a Marley, a 25-year-old male. We passed tamed lions and rode along the river- it was beautiful. Each of these elephants was orphaned and now stays on the property, free to roam around at will. Tonight we will stay in platform tents tonight and try to stay warm. Tomorrow we wake up early to horseback ride. Today was awesome- a perfect forth of July, although no fireworks here.
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