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This may be better suited for the Africa Travel Forum and if so that's OK too.

After several days of goofing around and not being able to go for the Hippo I had originally planned on we set off for Bulywao and a little shopping. I don't suppose many out there would consider this trip when hunting was still available and lots of great trophies were in the very fine area where we had been hunting but I looked forward to the excusion with expectations born of reading the many discouraging stories about the unrest and potential dangers of such a venture. I was curious and besides I'd never been there and I was coming back with time on my hands anyway and could get more hunting in as well.
The day started out with goodbyes which I dearly dislike and which I did not look forward to. I had spent much time with the crew in their tents and their working areas and their homes and felt as many of you have felt that friendships had been made and goodbye has never been my most favorite word anyway. I was packed and ready when the truck pulled up and I spent a bit of time wishing each of them well and gaining great smiles when they realized I knew them all by name. I had little piles of gifts for each of them and had lightened my pack by handing them my extras as well as only's of everything.I climbed on board and watched as they waved goodbye and walked back to their wonderful life in the bush. It wouldn't be until I had seen a little of the life many of them had left in the city that I realized just how good their life in the bush was.

Pushing a tree out of the road cost us added time when it got caught under the bumper and had to be chopped out with the Axe. I bought Skombuzo a new one and brought his home with me. I had tried using it some while I was there and decided I needed it for the added memories of that.


On the way we spotted a commercial wood fire ceramics factory. When I first started teaching I worked at the local community college building and firing kilns for the students. We built a few wood fire kilns and this was really interesting for the students after I returned and shared these and the other 100 or so images.








Into Bulwyao




Everywhere you looked were people out making the best of things. They are living with rolling blackouts, shortages of everything and the promise of hope that their life is getting better everyday and that eventually everything will work out just fine.

A common occurence at every corner were the long lines of individuals waiting to draw funds from the banks. At the time there was a 500 zim limit (I believe it is now 1000 zim) that could be released at any one time. 500 zim did not even pay for a loaf of bread if you could find it on the shelves.

Traveling into the suburbs to drop one of the guys off we found people in motion and out on the roads coming and going from home and work. No different from being back home.
We brought a load of firewood with us for the people without power for the evening cooking. As you see several households were on the permanent Bar-B plan.

What a beautiful country.I hope to be back.Great pics.

After visiting with the family members of my scout and our learner PH we made out way to my overnight location. It is a wonderful bed and breakfast owned and operated by a local Zimbabwean and his wife.
The Southern Comfort Lodge owned by Craig and Les Hunt is a brick and thatch group of buildings which were built as a backup for the Hunts' after they left the Safari Business. Highly recommended. The meals were great and with a small pond on the property and beautifully decorated rooms I was very impressed with the entire operation. Armed Guards at night and all. I tried my best to purchase his 450 Martini but he wasn't having any of it.















Anyone interested in staying there can call
+2630281340
+26311630204
http://hotelburst.com/zimbabwe/bulawayo/15/5567.html

Great photos Frank. Thanks for making us homesick.

While in Bulywao I visited the Nyala Office and a few gift shops, tried on my Courtney Boots and generally had a good look at the city and met people on the streets. It was great and the few times I wandered off from my guide and others I felt perfectly safe and comfortable. It was no different really from being in the Atlanta area or Richmond, California. There were street vendors everywhere trying to make a buck and the people I spoke with were in full command of English.
I even met a Frenchman who owned a chicken quix diner. No chicken, no coke a couple of potatoes and some baked chips to sell along with a few cookies but he was open for business and full of fire. We had a good laugh and discovered we had a mutual acquaintance in Victoria Falls. Small world.

While traveling around I spotted this huge crowd in front of what used to be a luxurious Hotel. We were initially looking for a good place to eat lunch and had been turned away due to lack of supplies, being sold out and otherwise only open for a little drinking business. I asked Evans to go around and see if it was a political rally or something along those line. It was worse, far worse and the horror of it nearly sent me to the police and airport.
After driving around the block again we pulled in to a side street and I grabbed for my camera. Evans warned that if it was political to be cautious in my use of the camera as the police, including secret police would confiscate the camera and everything film. We approached slowly and made our way through the crowd of anxious and obviously excited people. Mostly young and under the watchful eye of several guards near the door we found that we were being ushered in while everyone else was being held back.







After a few minutes of being inside we heard lots of people yelling and cheering and finally asked one of the security guards that had attached himself to us what in world was going on. His answer was more horrific than I could comprehend. Idol, Idol, you know like American Idol.
We had stumbled into the auditions for the South African version of American Idol.

THE HORROR, THE HORROR.

While in Bulywao I visited the shop where Packing and Dipping was conducted as well as the location where my trophies would reside while I was waiting for shipment.
The location was filled with properly permitted and stamped crates waiting for shipment as well as skins and trophies in varying degrees of preparation. I felt very comfortable knowing that proper shipping would not be a problem once my trophies arrived.








And now it was time to head back to camp for my final few days.

Frank,

I stayed at the Southern Comfort last October. We also were very please with the accommodations. Nice gardens there and the jackorandas are just beautiful in Bulawayo.

Mark

The cost was also less than I might spend here in the states for a lot less.
Frank

I, too, have stayed at the Southern Comfort. Great place. Owners know EVERYONE in the Zim safari business. I highly recomend it for an overnight going/coming to the bush via Bulawayo.