lizambia!: dirty kids!

Alright, so in the past two/three weeks or so.. we’ve gotten to do the classes that I’ve been most excited about since day one – diesel mechanics, welding, and 4x4 off-roading/recovery! yeah!! and all were taught by my favorite South African dude, Ciaran!

Diesel mechanics days started off with lessons, a quiz and then the hands on, dirty practical application. The courses went from How Engines Work (two stroke/four stroke & gasoline/diesel shenanigans) to Fuel & Exhaust systems (filters, catalytic converters, carburetors, fuel pumps) to Cooling & Electrical Systems (air/liquid cooled, fans, belts, distributers) to the Drive Chain & Chassis (transmissions, gearbox, axles, u-joints) to the Brake System (compressors, reservoirs, hydraulic brakes). It was a lot to learn but it kicked butt! :)

Angie, myself, Stephanie, Sharlene & Ciaran holding our test papers

Sharlene changing oil

"and this is how you change a tire.."

4x4 went along the same lines, except there was a lot more of lecture and we technically can’t drive the vehicles (insurance policies, sad.. but understandable) and just in case you want to know a bit of the rules of 4x4 – drive as slow as possible, fast as necessary and don’t drive on the beach, or else Ciaran and his environmental degree will hunt you down for hurting the turtles! The very last day of class though, we did the hands on (and dang! do we mean hands on) practical application. The team piled into the Land Cruiser and Dan’s Land Rover & headed out to some remote sand patches outside of Livingstone with one purpose – get stuck. Ciaran did an amazing job of placing the Cruiser in a tough spot and mother nature did an amazing job of giving us a 105 degree day. The recovery took about 4 hours & then Dan’s car, which is the recovery vehicle, battery died. So – after many attempts to getting the Cruiser out and having to reside to winching, we got to push start Dan’s car! YAY!! We went back home to base that day dirty, sunburnt, exhausted, and well educated.

scouting out where to get stuck

does it feel like 104 or 105? hmm..

wenching

pushing the "recovery" vehicle - oi!

how Laura really feels about mechanics ;-)

jump startin'

the most rare jewel in all of africa ... ice!

Welding just started last week, and hands down! It’s my favorite! We’ve only had a few days and are now returning to it (we’ve been in the Bush the past 5 days – but that’s another update!) oxyacetylene cutting torches, MIG welding, Arc welding.. heck yes! And the kicker about all these things, is that Ciaran agrees that the girls have outperformed the boys in Diesel Mechanics and especially welding! So props to Angie, Stephanie, Sharlene & yours truly! :P

Angie & I giving RosietheRiveter a run for her money

Wezi showing off his hip glasses

love'it

Oh and! Earlier in the month, I got to power wash the underside of one of trucks. It was dirty, but it felt so good to just spray water and lay in it.. along with dirt, grease, & oil.. but mainly the water. :)