After our first ten-hour flight, with a multiplicity of personal movies at our fingertips, a microwaveable dinner, and beverages of our choosing, we land in London. As we creep slowly through security and a second baggage check, some being stalled and taking longer than others, our excitement slowly rises as the distance between us and our soon-to-be Zambezi home slowly diminishes away with each minute spent waiting in Heathrow during our six hour lay over. We try to stay awake to reset our biological clocks to Africa time with tea, company, and caffeine hoping that we can make it to our next flight without falling asleep. For many of us, this trip still feels surreal, a journey that we have anticipated for months, now in complete actuality. The excitement, nerves, lack of sleep, questions, and expectations weigh on each of us differently, but together we travel to beautiful Zambia to experience a world entirely different than the ones we have left behind. This past semester we all participated in our Intercultural Perspectives of Leadership course attempting to understand the lifestyles, ideologies, and philosophies we will come into contact with during our month away from home. Although we may have prepared with readings and discussions in the classroom, nothing can truly prepare you for a trip like this. The uncertainties we may have in the ways we will adapt to such a new environment fade into the happiness and giddy feeling we all get when thinking about being in Zambezi. “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” So ask yourself, “Where does my comfort zone end?” Once you find it, jump across that boundary into the unknown…
We will be flying overnight to Lusaka, another ten hour flight, and then arrive there in the early morning. Our first full day in Zambia awaits. So much love to all of you who are home supporting us and wishing us well.
Mateo Trujillo, Class of 2014, Zambezi second-timer
Thank you for the update and great picture so quickly! Hopefully the second leg of the journey goes smoothly as well. Enjoy your adventures in Zambia…looking forward to many more blogs! Thank you all for having the courage, heart and will to take on the next few weeks…prayers are with you all! I Love you Kaitlyn! Xoxo
Yeah…you are officially on your way! Continued safe travels as you head south to Zambia. Zambezi awaits your arrival.
Blessings on yet another incredible group of Gonzaga students-know that the prayers of so many Zambezi alums are coming at you from many parts of the world!! I can’t wait to live vicariously again through the incredible words and insights you each offer along your journey. Kisu, kisu mwane! [Dr. Joshua-hug Fr. Dom & Mama Kwatu for me!]
~S Dolph
You all look so refreshed after your first lag of the journey. Hang in there for the experience of a lifetime!!! God bless all of you!
Thank you for the picture!! I love seeing all the bright and excited faces. I cant wait to follow your adventure. This is an adventure of a lifetime! Enjoy! We love you Hailey!!
I imagine that by the time you read this blog you will have landed in Zambezi. Last summer I was blessed with the chance to travel to Zambezi with this program and the most vivid memory I have is traveling in those small planes and approaching the landing strip. It was nothing I could imagine, and very different from what I pictured. But for the next three weeks it was my home and although it was difficult to make the transition… it really does become a second home. Enjoy your trip, get some well-needed rest, and prepare for your classes. Don’t be too nervous! Your students will love you!
I’m really looking forward to reading this every day. Very happy to hear that the journey has been uneventful so far. Our prayers and thoughts are with you guys.
Megan, you should introduce the Zambians to my form of farewell…….”gotta go”.
Love you sweetie
Im sitting here in washington state wondering where on the opposite side of the globe flies my god daughter? How wild is that!?
Thanks for this wonderful Blog. It makes the distance seem so much less. The picture of all of you is great… I managed to hold my tears until I opened the Blog, but Megan they were good tears. Take care everyone and I love ya Megan….
So happy to get notification of your safe arrival and a full posting and picture! It is exciting for us here at home to get into the routine again of checking the latest blog entry. Mateo, wondering if you all were really able to stay awake! Love you so!
I was so happy to see the photo of the group in London and am anxiously awaiting a post announcing your arrival in Zambia. Enjoy the adventure and cherish the moments! Love and miss you H! xo
I’m so happy to see the picture of all of you having safely arrived in London. I find it very ironic that they managed to steal a Port of Seattle Nylon Crowd Control Cattle Chute though. LOL
Enjoy those first few days in Zambezi, the sunsets by the river and beautiful starry nights. Soak up the goodness of the people who await your arrival on the landing strip, and allow Zambezi to become your home for the next three weeks. Most importantly, take those leaps outside your comfort zone. I wish you all the best as you begin your projects 🙂 and congratulations for traveling so far, those flights are exhausting!
Analise
Glad to see that you survived the first flight in tack and happy. Hope you all look just as happy when you finally reach your destination. You are embarking on an experience of a lifetime. Enjoy every moment.
You are all looking great. You got to love the smiles. Enjoy the trip. Absorb the experience. Looking forward to reading the stories. Be open and aware of the many special things that surround you. You are an awesome group.
GOD BLESS!
I’m so glad you all made it to London safely and now only have one more trip to make before you make it to your destination… ZAMBIA!!! It’s so nice seeing pictures already and I can’t wait to see more! I already miss you so much Kaitlyn!! I can’t wait to follow up and read about all of your adventures as well as see pictures on this awesome blog!! Have fun and be safe! I love you bestfriend and can’t wait to read more about your adventure!! Xoxoxo 🙂
What a treat to see the photo in London! Keep the posts and photos coming! As both a parent (Delaney’s mom) and a GU Prof, I’m so proud of all of you. Blessings on your Zambezi experience. Looking forward to all your updates.
Love to Delaney.
Wow, can’t believe it’s already here. So proud of all of you guys for doing what you are doing. It’s truly amazing what you all are going to do these next few weeks! I can’t wait to hear more about all of your experiences and encounters. Can’t stop missing you Katie! I hope you are having a wonderful, amazing, and safe time. I love you!! I’ll be thinking about you and praying for you guys constantly! Have an amazing time!
So good to read this entry this morning! You all have landed in Zambia by now and I’m thinking about you lots. Can’t wait to hear your stories!
What a great picture of you all! Hope you’re enjoying the journey and safe travels to everyone! Can’t wait for the next blog entry!
MATEOOOOOOOO!!!!! So so so excited for you and blahHhhhHhhHhh!! Enjoy the moments and man, keep your freak on!
sending you and the group positive thoughts.
Hikaru
wow! Great to see you all looking so shiny and happy! We followed the airplane icon on Dad’s iPhone app) as the planes flew and so as we were going to bed one night, we knew that you were five minutes from landing into your first African sunrise! Prayers and warm thoughts surround you and keep you strong and healthy! Cannot wait to hear each adventure and experience!
love you Lucia bean!
Mom and Dad
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone, so ask yourself where does my comfort zone end?” what a fantastic quote Mateo! Best of luck over there Gonzaga in Zambezi crew!
Joe
Zambezi go-er ’09