Life...

We walk into the resort and there is a buffet set up for us. Naturally, like Skrzat girls do, we dig in. Chicken, bread, sweet potatoes, coffee… everything a girl could need before she’s about to ride through them mountains with the big 5. As we were eating, this Afrikaner man came up and was talking to us. I am fully aware that I don’t know everything about Afrikaners, but I did know what he was talking about and I didn’t want to hear it. “South Africa has 11 different languages.” “Some Afrikaner words are Arabic.” History, blah, blah, blah. He’s talking and then he tells us he has something for us from the states and walks away. I look at Julie and Maddy and we’re just like, “this guy didn’t even introduce himself to us! Who is he?! Also, I don’t want something from the states. I live there! Give me something African!” he comes back with three bright red, USA back packs. Um… okay? I guess I’ll take it since it’s free… but I’m judging you Mr. Afrikaans. Anyways, I go and meet Pearl, my horse for the afternoon. Her fawn was supposed to come along with us but for some reason they didn’t want it to. I thought I was going to have two horses for the afternoon! A little disappointing. Deon, our ranger, had a horse who was not willing to cooperate the whole trip. At one point, Deon had to get off and walk his horse around because it was misbehaving so badly. I was afraid to have Pearl new his horse because she was so mean! Naturally, because his horse was acting up, our horses started to act up as well. Julie, who has never ridden a horse was less than pleased with the situation. We were starting to get really close to the animals too! within 15 I would say. Pearl really wanted to run with those zebras. I had her going in circles to distract her from running and at least keep her moving. After the zebras, we reached an open field and Maddy spots two rhinos at the top of the field which was the direction we were heading but not for long. Before I know it Pearl is galloping to the other end of the field away from the rhinos that were charging at us! Bring it on, Africa. Believe it or not, I actually took the time to question if I should jump off the horse then decided it could run faster than I could and I should just try to ride her to the path that I could see about 150 yards out. Once I get over a long ditch in the field, I turn around and see Maddy on her feet (Literally on her feet. She lost a shoe.), running from the rhinos! Julie’s horse wouldn’t move and she was at the other end of the field where the rhinos didn’t see her. After the rhinos made it to the other end of the field and Maddy was on the other side of the ditch with me, a truck came by to pick up Maddy and her lost shoe. Dean was trying to get control of all the horses and I went back to the top of the field to talk with Julie. Were we really just charged by two, two+ ton rhinos? Somehow, Maddy got back on her horse with a fat lip, crooked sunglasses, and both shoes and we walked our way back to the stables.

Once we got back to the stables, we all couldn’t wait to get off our horses. A couple other old guys came up to us telling us how they saw what happened and how it was “such and experience” but that “is the first time it’s ever happened.” Sir, your horse just bucked my friend off in the middle of a field while two white rhinos were chasing after her. My sister has never ridden a horse before and I don’t think she ever will again. And the only reason I didn’t fall off is because I’m currently the world’s worst runner and it was my only means of survival. Don’t try to comfort me by telling me this is “an experience.” We were then offered a free drink at the bar to take on the second half of the safari. On our way to the bar, another lady chased us down to give Maddy a shot glass and then me and Julie a couple pieces of chocolate. Thanks. After we grabbed our drinks, we hopped in the safari truck and headed out to see the lions which are apparently really lazy animals and got our own chance to chase down the rhinos in the car.

Later on the trip, we went to the Bloukrans Bridge so that Maddy could bungee jump and it just didn’t seem as scary. I couldn’t figure out if it was because of the rhinos or because I had already done it and survived. I’m willing to bet it’s because I was still a bit shaken up from the rhinos though.