The River is Flowing, Flowing and Growing

Today we went on a boat ride on the river. The Chobe River is the only river in the world to flow in both directions, depending on the time of year because of flooding. On the other side lays the boarder of Namibia. It was absolutely incredible the amount of wildlife we were able to see in such a short stretch of less then 40 km. Elephants, Garaif, Hippos, Water Buffalo, Crocodiles, eagles, many other types of birds, Impala, and Monitor Lizard. My favorite by far are the Elephants. As Luke (our guide) pointed out, you could just sit and watch them for hours. There is almost something religious about them. These giant creatures moving with such grace and elegance. Looking at them I can’t help but feel that they have some unknown wisdom, that they hold a secret behind the sly smiles and yet peace. The female Elephant is the one that controls the heard. She is boss. Elephants are also handed. You can determine if they are left or right handed depending on what side of their trunk the skin is more rough and calloused on.

This weekend I plan on going canoeing on the river. There was a small canoe on the side of the dock and Luke said he was one of the only crazy people to go out, and that he would take me if I like. Along the banks you can also find local boys fishing, I would love the chance to do that as well. They gut the fish and then hang them in the trees to dry in the sun. The fish are then salted (like everything here) and then sold in the market in these little boxed stalls of sheet metal draped with a blanket or plastic tarp.