Time to reflect

I heard this week that we are on the path from Nairobi to Johannesburg, one of the longest FOOTPATHS in Africa. The nearest village is a one hour walk north and two hours south. Tanzania is a 3 day walk! There are no roads or cars here. The nearest town with cars is a 2 hour walk north, and there they have 3 cars. It’s a very different experience from the A14 every day.

My reflection is on what we have done and if we had made a difference in the last 3 months or so?

My answer so far is yes and no.  We have gotten to know quite a few local people, we have interacted with them, shown them some stuff, taught them some stuff. Did it make a difference, well maybe a small one. 3 months is too short a time. I feel that I am only just getting to the stage where I am beginning to understand how we can help in some small way. So coming back will be good!

We met Gerhard yesterday. He has built a house here, near the lodge and comes to stay for a long period twice a year. He is a retired Dutch guy, who has worked for the UN food programme for 35 years in Africa, really interesting. He said “ We used to make a bunch of miserable people a little less miserable”

We are in a remote corner of a country where more than 50% of the population of the whole country earn less than $1 per day. The lodge and farm provide employment for some 60 people and also a market for some produce and crafts. I wonder what people here think when they see us. If I reach any conclusions I will let you know.

They have been digging a new long drop to replace the one that burnt down, and they found this big mother of a scorpion! Mean looking guy!

Also in the office this week was this attractive green insect. Not sure what he is?

As we have been walking on the beach we have seen Egrets closer up, they don’t seem to want to fly off in the heat of the day, and swallows taking time out next to the water line.

Next week I am off to do a PADI deep water course and have a break, we need to check out of Mozambique for a couple of days and then back for visa reasons anyway. More in a while.

Eeeek! I was walking on the beach today on the way to the farm, as I went round this rock there was a BIG snake, I think a Cobra, about 4 feet long and as thick as my arm. Luckily he was in as much of a hurry to get away as I was. When I saw him I was about 3 feet away, but I jumped back and he disappeared between some rocks. The biggest adrenaline burst since I have been here!