Like most topics . . It's best to consider . . ALL 'Views' . . come at them from . . ALL 'Angles'
So we tackle "THE FALLS" this day . . the way ZAMBIANS see it
We'll catch our boat on the shore - side of the elegant . .
Royal Livingstone Hotel
In a few minutes . . our hearts flutter a little . . hoping our skipper will turn left . . SOON
before going . . "over - the - edge" . .
The moment of potential - risk DRAMA . . amuses him
We sense some IRONY: Humble . . 'Arrival' . . looking one way . .
With . . High Society . . 'Waiting' . . on the other !
We are . . after all . . on . . LIVINGSTONE ISLAND . . .
and the Zambians . . are having some 'FUN' with it ! Let's join in !
And what is this all about . .
We are to Remove our Shoes . . . " Barefoot is Better "!
Chefs are busy . . in the 'Kitchen' . .
Cloth is spread . . in the 'Dining' Room . .
On we 'Follow' . . one 'set of toes' groping grass
. . to keep from sliding . . in the Mud . .
Over . Around . On top of . Rocks . and . Pools of Water . On we go
"Hmmm . . Is that Zimbabwe over there ?
Didn't we stand on that side looking this way . . ( a couple days ago )
. . in front of a Sign . . pointing to . . Livingstone Island ?"
An opposite View !
(Whew !) "Sit on this Rock . . right here" . . says our Guide.
(You know what I'm thinking ! )
"And you sit right here !" he continues . . ( Is this Rusty .. or .. Wrinkles? )
So . . "THIS . . is what David Livingstone thought was . . FIRE !"
( And . . like U.S. Niagara Falls . . Zambia is on the same side as the falling water )
"We saw this . . ( sort of ) . . from over there . . through the mist !"
"Didn't you say these Rocks near the edge . . break loose
. . and Lives are Lost . . every year ?" ("Oh . . in DRY season . . ?!")
The Guide is 'playing' with our camera . . We have no idea if he's 'getting anything' . .
(We see later he takes 'dozens' of angles . . while his comical commentary keeps rolling !)
We won't be taking a SWIM . . so he finds other ways to pass time
telling . . Horror Stories . . and moving us . . this way . . and that !
( Un - like the Elephants ) .. Our .. 'FEET ONLY' .. wallow willingly . .
"Did Livingstone get a Foot - Wash ??"
( Our 1st . . What a Life . . "pampered pleasure" ! )
"COLLINS" . . joins us for "Breakfast . . At Victoria Falls !"
( We first met him . . remember . . at the Shore . . with a tray of "Welcome" beverages ! )
It's kind of like 'King and Queen . . for a morning !'
. . Eating GOURMET - style . . Being waited on !
None of us live this kind of life . . 'Playing our ROLES' . . puts everyone in a silly mood !
"LLOYD" arrives . . introducing himself as "Mayor"
We swallow the line . . and he has to 'come clean'.
It all adds . . even more . . pretend
. . to a 'Just - for - Fun' day !
He does play a key role on Livingstone Island . . meeting all Guests . .
wanting to be assured . . that each Visit . . will be Rated a . . "Thumbs Up" Experience !
Leaving "The Smoke That Thunders" . . behind . .
. . We reflect on Sir David's marvel
. . the first time the Zambians went with him . . by Canoe.
He later exclaimed :
"Scenes So Lovely . . must have been gazed upon . . by angels in their flight."
Call me . . " Alpha Omega " . . he says
Zambia can be Proud . . to have this Guide . . on their Staff !
His "Happy - Go - Lucky" lingo flows from his lips . . like water over the Falls !
( His long story about his name we only remember refers to his "FIRST - born" status
but something happened to "the others" so he is now also the "LAST - born")
( Let's face it . . It's a Make - Believe day ! )
In no time . . we're back to " The Royal Livingstone " . .
. . And transported to Zambezi Waterfront . . catching a few winks . . because . .
Rusty and Wrinkles have something more in mind . .
for our 4th and final evening 'UP NORTH' . .
You might want to be there
Tomorrow . . we fly back to Johannesburg, South Africa
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