Human connection is the root of this trip, and truly why many of us picked it, including me. To meet new gonzaga friends. To strengthen previous relationships. To accompany the zambians we meet.
On day 4, we went to Victoria Falls and high tea at the Royal Livingstone Resort. I didn’t know really what to expect from the waterfall, but it truly exceeded every expectation. I saw human connection firsthand as people screamed of joy as we passed over the bridge and water washed all over and around us. Alea and I connected as we quickly got separated to the back due to our lack of water shoes. It was a reminder that sometimes human connection can also be wordless, simply the proximity of people to one another.
The next day, day 5, when we arrived at Kalahari Tours, we were warmly greeted by one of our tour guides, Opi. His warm smile and instant jokes to Jeff after not seeing him for the past 6 years was a testament to the importance and depth that human connection can have.
Once on the river tour, slowly making our way down, eager to see animals, I was reminded of just how simple connection can be. It doesn’t need to be something big or extravagant — an example I witnessed was when Kamy sat at the bow of the boat to see the animals better and Sarah simply walked up and joined her. I think for me it was a great reminder of how connections don’t have to be some grand gesture, and oftentimes connections are formed in moments we don’t even notice or remember.
As we continued the tour on land, the excitement had built up and was palpable! We saw antelopes, elephants, crocodiles, hippos, and giraffes!!! SO COOL! I saw the same human connection in the “wows” and shrieks when a person’s favorite animal was seen. I think that, on a deeper level, I felt a connection to these animals, knowing that the God (or the higher power you believe in) that made me perfect made these beautiful animals.
In the safari land cruiser, as we drove around talking about our “hot takes” and pet peeves, cute stories and how we were feeling about everything, I realized that this was all in an effort to achieve the human connection we crave so badly. I also witnessed connection in the way James casually talked to our driver, Teezah, getting his life story and learning about his experience working with Kalahari Tours. I have always hoped to be someone that harnesses the natural ability of conversation and connection with others. I take inspiration from James’ simple questions like “How long have you been…” or “What languages do you speak” — easy questions that I can integrate into conversations with the people I am bound to meet in Zambezi, and the world beyond.
our careful and caring guides, in front of a 500-year-old Baobab tree.
To my family, thank you for teaching me the importance of human connection and allowing me to connect with Zambians on this trip.
Caroline Oromchian
Class of ’28
It’s so great to be able to hear everyone’s perspectives about this experience! Each post has made me smile and nod with understanding.
Becca, love you and are thinking about you!
I’m going to assume by this recent blog post that all arms and legs are accounted for after hanging out so close to those lions!!! Would also love to know what the food is like there too! So many smiles in these photos it’s so inspiring!! Love you Katybug!!!
Caroline, now I want an entire separate post on the hot-takes and pet-peeves alone! 🙂
What a great post and you’re so right — it is so often the collection of small, quiet human connections that move us, change us, make our day. I love that this Zambezi-bound crew are all experiencing the very opposite of Artificial Intelligence. As promising and impactful as AI is, nothing will ever replace human connection and being plugged into each other. Our species was built for it and I so love your post about it, Caroline. You’ve helped us visualize little snippets of your days/experiences and I know I’m not the only mom out here hanging on every word! Thanks for sharing a little of Botswana with us and safe travels to Zambezi soon!
(And love ya, Mia! Eva and I are *so* relieved that feared lion of her imagination didn’t get to you!)
Godspeed, y’all!
Elisa (Mia’s mom)
Caroline, Carly and Loosh
Your posts have been so inspiring! Thank you for connecting us to your journey and adventures with your beautiful descriptions. I’m another mom hanging on every word!
Can only imagine how incredible it must have been to see your favorite animals. But that tree! Holy cow. Can’t help but wonder how many Gumby arms it took to connect around the trunk of that big boy!
Stay safe and happy – Amy (Sloane’s mom) (love you sloaney❤️)
Those pictures of the safari were amazing, I am so excited for the whole group, what an experience. Loving the smiles and the ability to see the world we live in, thru a different lens, the experience, people and growth will stay in your life forever. Carpe Diem!
Thank you for the insightful and inspiring posts. So excited for the adventures you are all having and the once in a lifetime experiences. Keep sending photos and updates. Love and miss you Kathleen.
Heather Slee (Kathleen’s mom)
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, updates, and reflections on this blog for us to read! It brings us such joy to hear about your experiences, to know you’re all safe, and to follow along on this amazing adventure.
I keep thinking about the Gumby analogy—what a great one to keep in mind throughout your travels. I can’t imagine 10 hours on that hot bus, but it looks like you all made the best of it! I loved the clever PB&J assembly line.
Victoria Falls—wow! I hope to experience that water on my face someday. And your recent safari—what an incredible adventure! Great pic of you all with the baobab tree!
Speaking of human connection, even from far away, your words bring connection to us back here at home. Thank you!
Wishing you all continued wonder, growth, connection, friendship, and the openness and adaptability to embrace it all, from the people you meet to the incredible animals and wild beauty around you. Stay Gumby!
We love you so much, Sarah, and are thinking of you often! Did you see any red birds on your safari? 😉
I am loving all of these beautiful blog posts from everyone on the trip! It’s a good reminder for all of us to slow down and connect. The falls look incredible. The 10 hour bus ride, not so much! Haha!
Sarah- I am vicariously living through you as you are on the trip of a life time. You will never forget these moments and it will make you who you are for years to come.
Leila says hello and she has her hippo (which she believes is a dinosaur) with her in her bed still! We will continue to follow your updates and share photos with the kids! Lots of hugs. We are so proud and excited for you!
Alisha, Fady, Leila, and Khalil
Thank you, thank you for your posts. I love EVERY little detail! The pictures are unbelievable and hearing your unique perspectives make me feel like a part of the journey. I can hardly wait for the next post…
PS- Taylor…you survived the safari hippos! Fear conquered 🙂
Love, love, love these posts! Keep them coming! We are all enjoying knowing that you are all not only safe and healthy, but happy and living your best lives! Getting to hear the details, big and small, allows us sweet peeks into this beautiful trip! Did anyone have a lion knocking at their tent? . Miss you and love you, Caroliney!
What a beautiful reflection on the power of human connection. It’s inspiring to see how your time in Zambia is deepening your understanding of community and shared humanity. Thank you for sharing your experiences—your words remind us of the importance of empathy, openness, and the bonds that unite us across cultures. Keep learning and connecting!
Love you Caroline M.!
Caroline!!! It sounds like this trip has been such a transformative experience already. That was such an insightful commentary on human connection, and every word of it is so true! The waterfall looks beautiful, and I can’t believe you saw all of those animals! I miss you so much, and I can’t wait to hear more. Love you!
Hi there everyone – Natalie’s dad here. Is this thing on? Can you hear me? How about now?
Just now following the blog and reading about the wonderful adventures you’ve all had so far. So excited for all of you to see such great places, meet new people and experience amazing African wildlife.
Looking forward to reading more. Hi Nat – Wazzup girl!
So amazing I remember Livingstone and the safari being the place where connections are truly starting to grow and form.Soak it all in and best of luck on the bush planes!
So proud of you and every Zag on this trip! I think I can speak for every parent here in saying that you are all making us so very proud and we hope that that the human connections you make with one another and everyone you meet on this trip lasts you a lifetime!
Be safe and have fun!
Such a beautiful and truthful post on the power of connections. As Sean can attest, my family/home life, career, volunteer experiences — all about the importance of connecting and relating to others. You are all living this in a new and life-changing way. And you have only just begun –so excited for all of the adventures and experiences that are ahead of you. The safari sounds incredible! Sean, I hope that you blew “Rafi” a kiss from Shannon!
And speaking of connections – in a literal, physical way– SO glad that Matthias (sp?) and the other guides had Sean well “connected” (multiple times over) on that bungee jump!!! What an incredible opportunity and experience! Proud of your adventurous spirit, your courage, and your “seize the moment” mindset. Gorgeous scenery and a beautiful swan dive too!
We are all thinking of you and so many have asked how you are enjoying the trip so far. Sending you hugs and lots of love!
Ahh! What a beautiful post on the simplicity and beauty of connection. I’m reminded that our desire for connection continues throughout our lifetimes.
I’m so looking forward to being on this journey with you and staying connected through these blogs.
Grateful for what you’re each experiencing and contributing to make this a better world.
Go Zags,
Paul (Mia’s Gandpa)
Mia and Ellie and everyone,
I am in awe of all the beauty and profound experiences you are having, this is exactly what these trips are for!! I miss you both sooooo much but am so happy to see you taking on the big wide world. Keep exploring, laughing, and seeing new sights, I can’t wait to hear all about it!! I love love love you girls and am sending big hugs your way!!
Taylor, I really hope the cell phone mishap was the result of something epic—like bungee jumping… or fending off a wild hippo!
Either way, I’m looking forward to hearing the story behind it.
By the way—how’s the food?
Sean!!
I see you peeking up there in the back of the safari photo!! Insanely curious about how you are, what the first few adventures have been like, and your thoughts on this theme of connection. Victoria Falls look unreal. I can’t imagine what learning to love all these wonderful people and new places is like. I am so inspired by your goals of being present, saying “yes,” and building community/family. Here, Trud and I have gotten talking lately and have been thinking of you during yoga and while—get this— setting our clothes out the night before we head into lab. All this to say: love you, miss you, inspired by you!!!!
Piper— love you girl, and have been thinking about how grateful I am for our conversations before you left SPO! Every now and then, a clear “I like life” moment has cropped up— giving me a lot of strength. I’m excited to hear about yours when you’re back. You are someone who is a joy and a privilege to connect with, and I know that the Zambia crew is LUCKY to have your insight and questions on board. Miss you!!
Recent themes related to this wonderful prompt around connection have been that we all crave it so deeply, and that it’s powerful— been feeling the love across large distances (all the way to Zambia, perhaps?!!). Love to the whole crew on the next legs of your journey!!!
—Leah
Desperate for more elephant pictures. Love to hear the stories and how tight you are all becoming. Thank you for sharing. Excited for more stories and need these hot take details. Good luck on bush planes!!