As I was saying, the safari. was. awesome. If you have never been on one, I would say that you should put it at the top of your bucket list, especially if you're a naturey animal lover person like me. Giraffes, zebras, rhinos, elephants, impala, bushbuck, nyala, wild dogs, warthogs, baboons, huge freaky iguana things, colorful birds, vultures, eagles, hawks, wildebeest, LIONS, kangaroos, a turtle, a bushbaby, mongoose, and other critters which I can't think of at the moment. (just kidding on the kangaroo thing by the way. don't be so gullible.) Giraffes are my new favorite animal. They are so incredibly cute. And they have pretty eyelashes!Our group of 44 was split into two this weekend. Half of us went on safari while the other half had a Zulu immersion experience. Next weekend we will switch.
So we went out at 5:30 am Saturday and Sunday mornings and spent the whole day driving through the reserve (which is a 4 hour drive away from Pietermaritzburg, but we stayed at the place at the reserve in cute little hut things). Our vehicles were the super awesome open-aired buckeys that reminded me so much of Indiana Jones. The whole trip was like a version of Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park. I swear at any second I was expecting a T-rex to come running down a hill and attack us. But he didn't show up (unfortunately).
We were out in these buckeys alllll day from sunrise to sunset, but the days went so quickly! I got some awesome photos (so incredibly glad I got that camera before I came here, I love you Nikon D50 <3 ) and we just had a blast despite our lack of sleep.
I was just in complete awe that I was seeing these animals in their natural habitat. I mean, I've seen most of them before at the zoo. But this was so WEIRD to just drive around and see them everywhere. By the end of the trip, we weren't even slowing the vehicle down to look at zebras and rhinos because they are around every corner!
Side note/question: Why are African animals so much cooler than American animals? I mean, we have bears which they don't have at all in Africa. But besides that we have like... pigeons. Maybe horses? No elephants, that's for sure. However, I do not envy Africa's bugs. They are at least 230,249,589 times bigger than the bugs in the U.S. Seriously. Freaks me out. I saw a moth the size of my hand. And I have seen like 20 spiders the size of Texas. It is sick. Oh and mosquito bites on your back are super duper dumb. Oh Dad, I forgot to take my malaria medicine before the safari. Woopsies :) I love malaria.
It was so incredible just to see how balanced nature was out there. Everything has its place and role in the environment and is in perfect harmony. I guess that's what the world could be like if we humans didn't run around claiming land and milking it for profit left and right. What I'm learning in my Biology class here is really coming to life. After all, the course is called "Humans and the Environment," and I'm definitely learning some interesting stuff. (We watch Planet Earth a lot. So sweet.)
Well, it is time to prepare myself for another week. South Africa is feeling more and more like a second home to me. And these people are slowly becoming family. (By the way, I am super stoked to be in a devotional small group led by Megan and Alle. Our group met once already and I know it is going to be so awesome.)
I am also at the point where I am really starting to miss family/friends from home. I would really love to hear how you are doing as well. Please either facebook message me, email me (bweser08@apu.edu), or leave me a comment on here and let me know something going on in your life or what I can pray for you for.
Someone in Africa loves you!
Brittany
ps. There are so many safari pics that I can't put on here because it takes so long, so check them out on my facebook page yo!
(some of the rarest African wildlife in their natural habitat)
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