Radio show Sunday

Here's the link to Mr. Chanters' blog: http://www.chanters-livingstone.com/blog-archive.cfm?id=1880. He's written a summary of the radio show. Enjoy!

Day 12

No pics today.

We started school today. It was interesting, but we've pretty much been thrown into things. I have my first class in English tomorrow. I've observed two periods today, so it should be fine. The thing is that there are quite a few people coming to watch (and it's my first lesson!). I really feel the pressure to put it mildly.

We were told before we left that there would be a lot of repitition in classes, but there was even more than I had imagined. I can imagine the students remember things better though (especially if they have to tell each other what things mean).

I felt very welcome for the most part. The Head Teacher was very welcoming and concerned about us. He asked us how much our taxi driver charges us from Chanters to Nansanzu. When we told him, he was almost enraged because it was 10 times the normal charge. I was very disappointed, because I had thought our driver would respect us more than that. I'm not going to say that I didn't suspect it, but what can you do when you've been paying a driver the same amounts for over a week? It feels wierd to suddenly say that, 'hey you're charging us too much!'.

I talked with the maths/sciences teacher during break, and she told me about all of the different after-school activities. Tomorrow there's sports, so I really hope we'll be able to take part. I guess we'll have to see.

Anyway, it's way past my bedtime! Talk more tomorrow, and hopefully have some pics to show.

Crazy day 11

We started the day off with the backwards abseil. It went fine because it was just like dissenting after climbing a climbing wall.

Then came the flying fox, 75 meters above the ground. I tried sitting "swing" style first, just to see how it was. Then I did a "superwoman" with a running start. Fun until you stop, look down and think about the wires snapping.

Then it was abseiling face-down. I didn't really like the idea of walking face-down a cliff (even if I was the one controlling how far I dropped at a time). The gloves I was wearing felt very loose and slippery, I was afraid I was going to accidentally let go of the rope. The instructors were in control though (they had attached a safety rope in case something went wrong). Nothing did, though.

Last, but not least: the gorge swing. A 54 meter drop straight down, ending in a swing. I watched first, and my heart leaped just as much every time I saw/heard someone jump. Then it was my turn. I wanted to back out, but I knew I would regret it. The instructor was very good at calming me as well, talking about everything other than the jump.

I was a bit dissapointed to find out that the bungee jump is closed... so no bungee jump for me. Today, however is every bit as good as it would have been, if not better because of all the different activities. We also got to spend the day with a cool German guy, who's studying to be a math professor.

We'll be interviewed a bit later on Mr. Chanters radio show. So either I'll give you an update late tonight, or tomorrow with the experiences from our first day at school. Yes! You heard right! We're acctually starting school tomorrow. Yippi!

Day 10

We've not really done that much today. We slept in, which was wonderful! Breakfast was a leisurely affair, which was nice seeing as we've had to eat really quick the past few days (and therefore not been able to eat everything up).  

We walked to town, which was great because I've been feeling very lazy lately. I'm so used to training at least 4-5 days a week, and suddenly here I'm lucky if I get to take a walk (it's normal to take a taxi everywhere). We walked through the crafts market in town, but didn't really find much joy in it because everyone was nagging at us to buy something from their stall. I saw plenty of things I would have liked to take a closer look at, but I hate feeling pressured into buying something, so we just walked quickly past.

We had some errands to run in town, amoung them printing a picture of a dress my companion wanted Emma to try making. The first printing place we went to couldn't print it because their printer wasn't working. We were able to get a copy at the second place however. When we went to Emmas' the gates were locked, so I'm guessing they were at church (a lot of people around here go to church on Saturday). We didn't want to sit around waiting, so we'll go back to give her the picture a different day.

Saturday treat

Feetsies.

We've pretty much just lolly gagged today. I knitted by the pool and suddenly saw that it was dinner time. So we went to Olga's again. Today I ordered their bolognese, and was not dissapointed. I think I ate too much though, because I ordered tiramisu and a macchiato for dessert afterwards and I feel awfull now. 

I'm anxious to see how tomorrow will go. It should be fun, but I'm guessing the gorge swing will be a bit terrifying seeing as I'm afraid of heights. I'm trying to look at it as a warm up for the bungee jump. *insert smiley sticking tounge out* Anyway, I'll tell you how things go tomorrow night. Now: bed! 

Safari Day (9)

We started our day off with a walking safari. The alarmclock rang at 05.30, and I hate getting up before 07 (or acctually make that 10), so I didn't exactly jump out of bed with a big smile on my face. We ate a quick breakfast and were picked up by one of our guides. It was drizzling outside, so both me and my companion tried to share the passenger seat in the car. I ended up with the seatbuckle wedged under my butt, which wasn't really comfortable. Our driver was a big man, so I felt like I was trying to make myself as small as possible the whole trip so there was enough space. I had to put my legs to one side because there were two gear sticks, and seeing as I'm not the most petite of girls I was always bumping into the one (there are a lot of bumps in the roads here). That made me even more tense and determined to make myself as small as possible. You can't even begin to imagine how glad I was to get out of the truck! 

Before we started the safari, we were offered a snack and some coffee/tea. I had to run from my coffee earlier because we only had about 8 minutes to eat/drink our breakfast. So I was really happy for some coffee. I was a bit surprised that there wasn't anyone else on the safari (besides my companion, our two guides, our protector and me). I had thought we would be picking up more people, but nope. It was a bit nice because we were given lots of attention. We were also able to see a lot of animals. Among others: white rhino, zebra, giraffe, wildabeast, buffalo, hornbills (amoung them the parks most rare --> 3 red hornbills which we heard are normally very shy), impala, baboons, monkeys and warthogs (or pumba's as we called them). I managed to get quite a few good shots, but also realized that I need a bit more practice at focusing the lense properly. Hopefully I'll get to take a photography class at some point. 

When we got home, we went to marumba market and bought some more fabric. Then we headed over to Emma's to get my dresses. I also ordered one more to be made with the fabric I bought at the market (I didn't get a picture of it before I gave her the material, but you'll see it when the dress is done). We didn't really do much else today (I took a three hour nap) besides going to Waterfront for dinner. Both my companion and I ordered burgers and nice cold drinks to start the weekend off right. We tried looking for hippos and crocodiles along the river, but no such luck today either.... 

If you want to, you can check out what we'll be doing on Sunday: http://www.thezambeziswing.com/fulldayitinerary.htm We'll also be on Mr. Chanters' radioshow, but I'm sure I'll tell you all about it on Sunday, so stay tuned for more craziness from the jungle. *smiley sticking tounge out*

Day 8

So much to tell today...

It's been a good day.

I went to DALICE all by myself (and managed to drive with the wrong taxi driver, although his name was the same....). When I got there I found myself all alone and a little scared. *insert smiley sticking tounge out* I sent a message to my teacher asking where I could find him and his wife, and of course managed to use the remaining cash on my cashcard. I recieved a reply which told me they hadn't come to school yet. I stood there wondering what the heck I was doing at school, when I suddenly saw one of the physical education teachers walk by. I had wanted to participate in two lectures, his and one of the teachers who has been in my home town. So he allowed me to tag along.

It was interesting to see how similar a lot of things are here and at home. There was some confusion as to where the P.E. teachers' class was, and we found out that they had something else in first period. So the P.E. lecture got moved to second period. It was a very interesting lecture. It seems they go more into the knitty, gritty stuff here. Today we talked about "sports, athletics, games, ballgames" meanings. The teacher used basic language and made the class laugh a lot. He seems like such a quiet guy outside of lectures, but once he steps in front of his class he changes into this comedian/actor. One of the questions he asked us was how we would group these three words: running, throwing and jumping. We were supposed to put them in an a-group and a b-group. Two other girls and I grouped them as such: running in group a, and throwing/jumping in group b. I had originally wanted to group them as such because in most cases you have to run to throw/jump (hurdles, javelin, long jump, etc). It turned out our grouping was correct, but not for the right reasons. They were grouped like that because running normally takes place on a running track (marathons and the like would be the exceptions). Throwing and jumping can take place anywhere. Very logical, yet I had never thought of the three words like that.

After the lecture I had to sit outside of staffroom because I wasn't allowed to be a part of teabreak (I'm a student). Luckily I sat next to a very bright young man, who I later learned was a so-called "hopefull". DALICE is a boarding school, so every year there are students who don't show up. After so-and-so long time has passed their places are given to other people. "Hopefull's" are the people who hope to be given one of the empty places. I really hope the young man I met gets in, because he seemed very bright and very thoughtfull. He explained a lot of things to me, and we got into the kind of deep conversation I would only have with a fellow Norwegian after several years of knowing them. I was amazed when I found out he is only 18 years old. In a way I'm sort of glad I was all alone today because I don't think I would have started talking to him if I had been with others. For all I know, I might have been at the teabreak/meeting which lasted over two hours.

Flowers of the day.

I was expecting someone to come get me after the meeting was over, but that didn't happen. I started pattering up towards the campus kiosk in hopes of buying more talktime (so I could get a hold of people, and perhaps especially, a taxi). When I got there the kiosk was closed. I stood there thinking for a minute as to if I should walk up to my teachers house, or not. I decided to, and lucky that! I met him and his wife as they were opening their gate to leave for town. Oh lucky day! They generously offered me a ride to town, which I accepted with much gratitude. I walked around with them for a while, bought a cashcard and some more water and went to the StopShop for the first time. Guess what I found there?! Cream soda! I definitly have to go back and buy one before I go home. After that we parted ways, because I had to go to Emma's to try on my dresses.

The dress was gorgeous! It looked exactly like the picture (with the minor changes I had requested of course). I was told they wanted to finish the dresses up properly and asked me graciously to come back tomorrow. So that I will. My companions skirt however was done, so they sent it back to the lodge with me. If you come to Livingstone and have any clothes you want making --> I recommend Emma's. I'm sure they could make clothes with only a picture as their guideline. Plus it only cost me a little over 200 nok/34 usd (including the price of the chitenge material)!

Lizzards on the wall at ZigZag.

Didn't think I'd acctually find a good cup of mocha in Livingstone. But ZigZag proved me wrong!

Stew and nshima.

Cute little guinea pig.

I have been doing research trying to find good places to eat here in Livingstone, and I stumbled upon a B&B called ZigZag. My companion and I decided to try it out today, and I'm glad we did. We found out that they have a lot of the same food types as we're used to at home, but they also have the more traditional nshima with stew. I ordered the beef stew with nshima (it's the first time I've tried it) and it was really good. The stew was good comfort food (I love comfort food) and the nshima didn't really have much taste. The texture was what surprised me the most. It's like cream of wheat. I found out that what everyone had told us was true. I was only able to eat half of the portion I was given, yet my stomach feels like it contains bricks. I'm still stuffed from it, and we ate almost six hours ago.

I guess that's all for now. We have to get up at 05.30 tomorrow morning for a walking safari, so I need to get to bed.

Day 7

Amazingly enough, it's already been 7 days! We got up this morning and had a leisurely breakfast. Then we waited for our teacher and the teacher we met yesterday at DALICE. He took us to the department of education to inform them of what we're doing in Livingstone and to introduce us. However, the people we were supposed to meet weren't there, so we have to make a guest appearance on Monday before we start at Nanzanzu.

We were driving to Nanzanzu to drop off some paperwork, when the headmaster (whom we hadn't met before) waved us over as we were driving by one of the markets in town (where supposedly stolen goods are sold). We shook hands and told him our names. He, in return, welcomed us and looked forward to seeing us at Nanzanzu on Monday. I was a bit surprised, because I had thought we would be going on Friday. Apparently not....

Then we had tea break with our teacher at his house. We saw a lot of geckos while we were there, but the most interesting thing we saw was a camaleon. I tried to get a good picture of him, but he moved too quick.

This little guy just crept up on us. I just happened to look to my left and there he was, like 5 cm from my foot!

Teabreak

We met three students after tea break who showed us around, and who were able to give us a better veiw of how it would be if we were students at DALICE. I'm acctually quite glad that we go to school in Norway, because things seem strict here in Livingstone. I would have at least thought that they would be allowed off campus during the weekends, but that isn't so.

The rest of the day went to eating lunch with our teacher and his wife, bathing in the sun (losing my headbands in the pool.... --> I never learn *slaps head with palm*), lounging about and eating at Olga's again. Today I ordered the lasagne which was heavenly! Very homely/comfort foody. I also got to talk to one of the waitresses there. She was telling how she wanted to go into medicine, but she needed to save up enough money first. I sometimes wish I was a leprechaun, who could spin money out of straw. There's so many things I would do both for other people (and if I'm honest, myself). The day was rounded off by a proper tiramisu dessert. Yummy! Lots of mascarpone.

The menus at Olga's all have cute animals sewed on the covers.

Mmm... comfort food!

A bit fuzzy, but it's the best pic of me all day....

I realized when we were at DALICE that we've been here for 7 days and still not tasted nshima. It's almost a disgrace! The students we met showed us the dining hall, and there the cook was busy preparing nshima. He tried to explain how it's prepared, but I really wish I could have a day watching and learning how to make it myself.

Tomorrow we have lectures starting at 8 at DALICE and afterwards we need to go to the seamstresses to try on the dresses. I really, really hope they look good! But for now good people - Peace out!

P.S. I was very happy for the fact that I'm married today. It seems that people here give you more respect, and don't harass you as much, if you're married. Just wish I could walk arm-in-arm through town with my hubby (my rings don't seem to be enough of a clue, plus it would be cool to have him here).

Day 6 (got better)

For those of you who saw, the day started out pretty badly, but luckily it got better! My mood got better after having breakfast and laying in the sun (I've only dared lie in the shade because of my milk-white skin). I also got a very much needed hug from my companion. Hugs always seem to make things better! 

When it finally came time to go to DALICE I tried calling the two taxi drivers we've used so far. Neither of them answered, so we pulled out the list we got from last years students. We called the first taxi driver on the list, and he seemed quite happy to meet us. He came within 5 minutes, even though he wasn't on the job, got out of the car and shook our hands. He introduced us to his friend who was driving, and said that the friend would come pick us up when we were finished.

When we got to DALICE we went to the administration building and met one of the teachers. He seemed to be genuinly interested in how we were, what we had been doing, etc. He introduced us to the principal, who also seemed to take us into her family at DALICE. She also asked the teacher if he would give us a tour of campus, which he did. He answered our questions, and went out of his way to make us feel at home. 

Elephant bone

We were shown the agriculture program, where they farm both plants and animals. We were told that the plants had been trampled by elephants who came at night to eat whatever they could find. The teacher in charge of the agriculture program said it most likely was because the farm lies on the land the elephants emigrated on before humans built on it. He also said it was wierd that they trampled so many though, because normally it was only the sugarcane plants that got destroyed. We were shown the bones of an elephant they had shot to try to scare the others away. There was a funky smell about them, but it was interesting none the less. We were also shown the pigs and cattle. The little piglets were so sweet. I really wanted to pet all the piggies in the barn, but was unsure if I should.... 

Big piggy. We were told they use an american breed. He was humongous!

Cute little piglets!

The cattle

The last thing we did before we went home from DALICE was to talk to the physical education teachers. The students have sports activities after school every Tuesday and Thursday. So the teachers took us out on the field and told us a bit about the program as well as the sports. I was interested to see a sport called net ball, which, I was told, is the originator of basketball. I didn't really understand it, but maybe the girls can teach me while I'm here. We're thinking of joining in on Thursday, which should be fun. I'm starting to miss my excercise regime. 

I ended my day with a steak and chatting with my hubby. Now I think I'll be able to sleep well. I guess it goes to show, things are never as bad as they first seem.

Frustration!

We were supposed to start the introduction course at DALICE today, and we still will (unless something changes again). The thing that's made me frustrated is that the meeting has been pushed from 11 to 14.... I'm already tired of so-called "African time". I didn't come all the way from Norway to sit on my hiney doing nothing! But that seems to be exactly what I'm doing. It makes me frustrated and makes me miss home, because in all reality: if we don't start school soon we might as well be at home (read: if we miss out on too much teaching we'll have to take it up again at home). We can't exactly do the other things we've been planning on doing either (like safaris, bungee jump, bovi island), because we could suddenly get a message saying that we need to meet in 1/2 an hour.

The fact that this rash-thing hasn't gone away doesn't really help my mood. I just want to be healthy, without problems, so that I can enjoy African life without being scared to death about a rash. I guess I should be giving things a few more days, but today, right now, I would really rather just get on a plane for home. This post is perhaps a bit dark, but it's how I feel, and how I'm experiencing Africa at the moment.

Day 5

We woke up to the landscapers cutting off branches on the tree in front of our door.

We thought we would be starting school today, but things didn't work out that way. We had off because of a funeral at DALICE. A student died last week. It would have been interesting to see how Zambian funerals are, but we found out it would probably be wierd if we went (seeing as we had never met the student). So we ended up staying at the Lodge until closer to 16. We lounged around the pool, reading, bathing in the sun and knitting. I got a big craving for fruit around 11, so I asked if they had a fruitbowl or something at Chanters. They didn't, so we ended up getting pancakes with lemon/pineapple and icecream. It was good, but what I would have done for a bowl of melon/mango/citrus fruits!

This s my companions' dish, but mine is exactly the same only with vanilla icecream.

The ice cream melted too quick. Got some on my chinny, chin, chin.

Tons of these little guys run around at the lodge.

Yesterday before we went to bed, my companion and I decided we wanted to go to an Italian restaurant we had heard about called Olga's. It's an italian restaurant run by Italians who have taken in Zambian kids off the street. They've taught the kids how to run the restaurant and given them an opportunity other than they might have gotten. I should have gotten a picture of it, but there was a mural on the wall which had text under which read something like this: "Don't give me a fish to eat, teach me how to fish." I ordered ravioli with tomato sauce and was not dissapointed. I know it may sound stupid, but I was so glad to be able to eat something I'm used to eating at home.

I ordered the ravioli (left) and my companion the lasagne (right).

After dinner we went to Shoprite to buy some fruit and drinks. It's not normal in Norway to make stickers with the price of fruits or vegetables, which you stick on the plastic bags. I've encountered it it Bulgaria and a few other countries. I found out it's like that here too. So we went to get a sticker and, unlike Bulgaria, there is a guy standing by the sticker machine who makes the sticker for you. The guy we talked to seemed like he was very "pratesyk" (which is Norwegian for gabby). He started talking to us by asking the regular: How are you. I thought it would end at that, but then he asked how our New Year was. I didn't understand to begin with since New Years was 23 days ago, but he kept saying it asking if we didn't understand English etc. Then he started trying to teach us a little bit of two of the local languages (which sounded a bit like Italian). Since he was at work, he asked if he could have the address to where we're staying, our names and our phone number. I'm not used to giving that info to strangers, so I was a bit skeptical, but then I thought about how that seems to be the way they do things here in Africa. So he's going to meet us on Wednesday and teach us some more of the two languages he was talking about. *crossing fingers all goes well*

If you've read all of my posts from Africa so far, you know about the cabby who drove us to Victoria Falls. Well, we've used him all day and found out we'll be using him for the rest of our stay. He seems very nice and when we told him about what happened to us at the market (when we were buying fabric), he said he would come next time. I think both my companion and I felt releaved to hear that a local was going to come with us. Maybe we'll be spared angry men coming up to us, shouting.

At dinner I realized that I've gotten a wierd rash on the palms of my hands. I'm really hoping it's just because of the heat (I seem to react badly to the sun --> allergic rashes), but we're going to keep an eye on it for the next few days. If it doesn't go away by Thursday, I may have to go to the doctors office. *Insert frowny*

Rainy weather today as well...

Worked some more on the mittens.

Oh rainy day (4)

Don't have much to report today, and all because of being sick! The plan was to relax until 16, when we would go to church to see how people here in Livingstone worship. We've heard stories and were told that we should go take a peek if we had the chance/time. We've heard that they worship very much the same as baptist congregations do. I'm unsure as to if they are baptist, or something else, but from what I've gathered they are very religious.

Oh rainy day!

In any case, today has instead gone to getting well, knitting and relaxing. Knitting, you say?! Yes, I'm a stupid northerner who enjoys knitting, and who is making mittens in 30 degree heat.... Anyway, I went out to the pool to knit and to listen to music. Just as I was going out it started to rain, and only stopped for brief periods before continuing. Btw, for those of you who may be fans of thunder and lightning: Livingstone is the place for you! It's been doing plenty of both, and has scared me half to death because of the intensity of the sound/vibrations.

Making mittens....

I hope I'll have something more interesting to tell tomorrow. Still not sure if we acctually start teaching, or if we're going to visit DALICE.... Really wish I knew.

Day 3

We were planning on catching breakfast here at the lodge this morning (so far we've not eaten breakfast in the restaurant, although it's included), but we ended up walking to Shoprite (the biggest actual grocery store in Livingstone) instead. There I found out they sell sausage rolls! Naturally I had to buy some and find out if they were as good as the ones in England. The pastry was not as flakey and the sausage was spiced differently. So not the same, but ok. The highlight of breakfast was therefore guava juice. Yummy! I found out later during the day that today is the sun day at home, so I was a bit iffed about not having gotten a jellyfilled doughnut (which is tradition on the day the sun comes back at home). Oh well....

After breakfast we went to the seemstresses to give her our fabric and pick out patterns. She seemed like a very nice lady and very talented at what she does. She gave a lot of good advice and took our measurements. My companion ordered a skirt and I ordered 2 dresses, which you'll hopefully see pictures of on thursday. I really hope they look good (I had to ask her to make adjustments to the pattern because of the dresscode at school --> sleaves, skirt below knees, no cleavage or back showing). 

At the seemstresses.

Taking measurements.

 We got to experience "African time" properly today. We were expecting to meet up with my teacher and his family at around 12. When do you think we ended up meeting them? *insert smiley sticking tounge out* At 13.30. Lol! I wonder how school will be when we start (if they also run on "African time", or if they stick to the schedule), and also if I'll try using "African time" when I get home to Norway. Somehow I don't think people at home will be too thrilled if I come late (yet, I guess I've always been late to non-official things anyway).

A flower I found, forget where.

Anywho, we took a taxi to Victoria Falls with my teachers' sister and her boyfriend. They seemed very nice and social. Her boyfriend asked the cabby about baobab tree. I had no idea what he was going on about, but the taxi driver told him there was one on the way to the falls. We drove up to see it and found out it cost money to veiw it! Wow, I never thought we "tourists" would be milked this much. It was a very big tree though, and they had made a ladder next to it so people could see the upper parts it as well. He was told that it was over 200 years old. I was suprised to see that there were so many carvings in the tree though. You would think they would take better care of their prized tree? Perhaps there's a story behind it I've not heard. After he promised to come back the following day (to see more thoroughly and pay) we were driven to Victoria Falls.

First sight of Victoria Falls.

Tickets please!

The Falls were amazing! We took as many pictures as we dared (it was very wet, which was a bad thing for our cameras). We were also able to see the bridge where the bungee jump is (on the Zimbabwe side of the border). I didn't realize it was so far down... *gulp* (don't worry, still hoping to get a jump in before I leave) When we were on our way out I found a flower I wanted to take a picture of. I tried taking a picture and realized that I perhaps needed to put the filter on the lense, because there was too much light to be able to see the colors properly. Suddenly while I'm fiddling with the filter I see/hear everyone else come running back the way they came, screaming "bavian!" (baboon). Of course I joined them because I've never encoutered one and had no idea what they usually do to people. So no flower *insert frowny face*. The scene was a bit comical though. A baboon chasing 9 people through the jungle, one of which is trying to put her camera away while running. 

The Falls.

Seen from a different veiw.

Bungee jumping bridge.

We headed to Zambezi Sun (a upper-class hotel) for lunch. It was nice to be amoung other tourists/whites because I wasn't stared at! I went swimming with the kids after lunch and had a great time. I got a little bit sunburnt, but was acctually suprised at how little I was burnt (I usually turn lobster red all over...). I was given a very good tip when my husband and I were on Interrail last year. The tip was that we should use 50+ SPF since our skin is so white. I didn't follow her advice then and had a heat stroke because of it. I've learned my lesson. I've only been using 50 SPF since I got here, and it seems to work quite well.

After swimming for a few hours, we headed over to a nabouring hotel (Royal Livingstone) to see if we maybe could see some hippos or crocodiles. No such luck. We heard the hippos "laughing" at us (probably because we couldn't see them, and therefore couldn't take pictures), but other than that: zilch. 

The monkey started crying. Guess it didn't like us taking pictures.

Me and my companion at Royal Livingstone.

Me at Royal Livingstone.

Clouds

I know I've written more than enough now (I almost feel sorry for you *smiley sticking tounge out*), but the last thing I want to tell you about is the taxis here in Livingstone. My companion and I learned an important lesson today. We wanted to get back to Chanters after having bought provissions for tomorrow, but we wanted to say a proper goodbye/goodnight to everyone else first (btw, that didn't really happen). Therefore: we waited outside the store and met who we thought was a cabby. He said he could drive us, and frankly I was too tired to start doubting his truthfullness. We said we were waiting for someone and he told us he'd wait too. We ended up going to his car and it wasn't the blue taxis we were used to seeing/riding in. We got in anyway (which we perhaps shouldn't have done) and started driving. It was then I realized that there wasn't a handle on my side of the car... My teacher called and I was then told that we should only take the blue taxis. All others were pirate taxis. Luckily everything worked out (we had arranged the price before we left) and we got back to Chanters ok. So if you ever find yourself in Livingstone: only use the blue taxis!