Road to Rwanda-----Safari (Eat your heart out)
To celebrate our 70th and 75th birthdays we went on safari. How many people do you know who can say that?
I am writing this sitting in front of a breath taking view
down the mountain to lakes and islands below me just outside the gates of the
Acagera National Park. We have been fake
charged by a hippo (with huge open mouth and lots of teeth), watched a baby
zebra be aggravated by a bird trying to perch on his ear, seen a herd of 40+
elephants, traveled through a village of baboons, sat while a large herd of
buffaloes crossed the road in front of us on a night trek, and encountered 4
rhinos just standing beside the road as we were leaving the park last
evening. There were also countess
numbers of antelope/deer animals (elands, topi, impala, etc.), exotic birds,
and sleeping crocodiles. About the only
thing we did not see was a lion and a leopard.
Our guide was the director from our school who initiated the trip as a
birthday present to his 16 year old daughter, who is a game park
aficionado. They are extremely
knowledgeable, and orchestrated the whole trip for us, knowing the right gates to
enter and roads to travel to make this just an excellent experience. Thank you,
Matt and AnnaMarie.
Our accommodations are interesting. The first night we were
inside the game park. It was one star up from a tent, and 4 stars down from a
hotel. We spent a comfortable
night. Probably the most memorable
aspects are the bathrooms, which are set beside the semi-permanent tent and
open on one side. I could sit on the throne and see the gorgeous velt in the
valley below me. You assumed anyone else sharing your tent would clap or
something if they were heading your way.
The lodge that we are currently in is a lovely stone structure, with an
equally open toilet/shower arrangement.
The food has been excellent. Rick
and I did not enter the park again this morning, as the director and his
daughter did. They have annual passes,
so it did not cost them any money.
Instead, we took advantage of the first internet service available in a
couple days and are busily grading our essays from Peking University, in
preparation for our first face-to-face meeting with our classes next week. We also are pushing ahead into the last 9
weeks of school at VVA, with parent/teacher conferences.
Rejoice with us in the blessings we regularly enjoy. We know how special and unforgettable these
experiences are.
P.S. The current note
on Peace is that we will know if she has the funding on April 1. Please continue to pray.
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