Sunday, February 10, 2013
Yako Orphanage
This past weekend, I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Yako and serve in a different orphanage there. I rode on my first bus ride in Africa. And....I rode it home alone - all by myself...then proceeded to get and take a taxi on my own the rest of the way. This is a HUGE accomplishment for me!!! I got around on my own without being dependent on other people. It is a good feeling!!!
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Swarming Flies, Charging Elephants and Yummy Coba!
I had the opportunity to go to an animal park and go on a safari. We rode in the back of a truck through dirt roads looking for animals. We were accompanied by many buzzing, swarming horse flies which required some extra needed attention of swatting them away so we wouldn't get bit repeatedly. Yet, we still managed to do some sight seeing of animals and nature.
We saw baboons, deer-like animals, elephants, crocodiles, warthogs and more! I enjoyed seeing the animals in their natural habitat. It was very different from seeing them in a zoo locked up in a tight perimeter of fence. After seeing Coba (which is like an elk, moose, horse and antelope all in one), I decided to have Coba for dinner later that evening. I have to say...it was quite good!
I really enjoyed being out in nature. Observing the birds flying in the air, looking at the shapes of the trees, watching the sun set and then rise again the next morning. It felt good to just get out there and experience nature.
The second day, we rode around again and saw a whole family of baboons. We also saw lots of animals that look very similiar to deer. Yet, the fun really began once we arrived back at our camp. The elephants were right there...within twenty feet of us, eating the leaves off the trees. When there is no wire or fence or barricade between you and the elephants, it really put things into perspective...of how massive these creatures are! The elephants then crossed the road and headed down to the barage for some water to go with their lunch full of leaves. So, of course, we followed them. After some time of snapping pictures, we inched closer and closer to them when all of a sudden we realized that one of the elephants was coming towards us rather quickly. I snapped one last picture and then realized he appeared to be irritated by our close approach so he fanned out his ears and started charging us... so we ran....and didn't look back...we just ran and ran!!! Luckily, we all were not touched by the elephant. I guess once it saw that we were running away, it realized it accomplished what it wanted to do ...to scare us away!!! I have a new level of respect for these very large, massive, strong animals.
All in all, it was a great experience and I am blessed to have had the opportunity to live with the elephants and nature for two days in Africa!
We saw baboons, deer-like animals, elephants, crocodiles, warthogs and more! I enjoyed seeing the animals in their natural habitat. It was very different from seeing them in a zoo locked up in a tight perimeter of fence. After seeing Coba (which is like an elk, moose, horse and antelope all in one), I decided to have Coba for dinner later that evening. I have to say...it was quite good!
I really enjoyed being out in nature. Observing the birds flying in the air, looking at the shapes of the trees, watching the sun set and then rise again the next morning. It felt good to just get out there and experience nature.
The second day, we rode around again and saw a whole family of baboons. We also saw lots of animals that look very similiar to deer. Yet, the fun really began once we arrived back at our camp. The elephants were right there...within twenty feet of us, eating the leaves off the trees. When there is no wire or fence or barricade between you and the elephants, it really put things into perspective...of how massive these creatures are! The elephants then crossed the road and headed down to the barage for some water to go with their lunch full of leaves. So, of course, we followed them. After some time of snapping pictures, we inched closer and closer to them when all of a sudden we realized that one of the elephants was coming towards us rather quickly. I snapped one last picture and then realized he appeared to be irritated by our close approach so he fanned out his ears and started charging us... so we ran....and didn't look back...we just ran and ran!!! Luckily, we all were not touched by the elephant. I guess once it saw that we were running away, it realized it accomplished what it wanted to do ...to scare us away!!! I have a new level of respect for these very large, massive, strong animals.
All in all, it was a great experience and I am blessed to have had the opportunity to live with the elephants and nature for two days in Africa!
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