There are some days when a sense of lethargy just creeps in, not only to you but also everyone you are with. Well today was just such a day. May be it is the heat or may be the fact the guys all got paid yesterday (albeit late, remember this is Africa) and have all just relaxed a little, but for whatever reason it was going to be a slow day.
My agenda for the day did not make pretty reading, lion walk, trap clearance and another lion walk, totalling some 6 hours out in the bush. The first lion walk was fine and because it is so early the temperature is still comfortable which means the lions are more playful than later in the day. We took out the 2 L's which is always a good combination as they play together so much and just spend most of the walk stalking and ambushing each other which is just great fun to watch. For those that know him just think Pete Young.
The mid morning session had a sizeable group activity of clearing traps. Essentially everybody just walks in a line up and down selected parts of the reserve checking for traps left by poachers. As we headed into the bush it became apparent that this activity is not treated as seriously as I first thought, partly because no traps have been found here and secondly as we walk these areas at least 2/3 times a day any traps put here would be spotted and dealt with. Therefore it came as no surprise that during the course of this activity we all had a rest by one the established stopping points and as often happens when a group of guys get together toilet humour and much laughter is had. I have to say that my fellow volunteer Hayden, normally a quite fellow, had us all is stitches as he sang songs intermittently disturbed by imitation fart noises. Childish I know but very very funny.
For the afternoon walk I was to take out the 2R's but as the scouts had spotted more buffalo on our planned route we switched to the 2T's (the little cubs Timmi and Tswana) and took them on a short walk to the nearby game lodge. This was great fun, especially now I have a lot more confidence with the lions, and we just did all the silly things you do when walking with young cubs, such as running around, playing catch with toys made from the branches and letting them climb on your legs etc. However It is not all fun and you have to remain alert, as situated close by is the Zambezi river and a pond area where there are crocodiles and one of the cubs would make a lovely dinner given half an opportunity.
The other aspect of these walks is that you get time to have good chats with the other members of the group and today I managed to have a long conversation with Derrek. He is 41 and from Zimbabwe and his life story is very tragic and typical of the plight of many of his country folk. He has no family left, no possessions of any note and all his savings have evaporated under the hyper inflation of the zim dollar. He is also one of life's eternal optimists and strives the whole time to for better things ahead, whilst at the same time always willing to help and chat with you and you can see that he retains a sense of humour and determination that really is very humbling for us and puts some of our own worries into true perspective. I have enjoyed his company immensely.
No comments:
Post a Comment