Today was both started and ended by hearing beautiful African music. It all started at 5:45 this morning when we had to get up early so we could get to the airport. My roommates and I heard music coming in through the window and we wondered what it was. Just a few seconds later Kamani knocked on our door and told us we had to go and listen. So we followed him to a field where we could see the faint shadows of people singing and dancing. Their sound was incredible with harmonies and multiple melodies intertwining to form one full-bodied sound that spread through the whole camp. It must have been these peoples’ morning routine before heading off to their jobs. What struck me most was that this was not a choir or any official musical group. These were the people who pass down and sing the music we as a choir strive to emulate. This was the start to another amazing day on tour in South Africa.
After another delicious breakfast from the cooks at Sumcay, we departed the camp on our last ever ride with Leonard and Farouk. We sang for them one last time to show our appreciation for all they had done for us, and Leonard invited us all to come back to South Africa some day. And with that we entered the Port Elizabeth airport. After performing a short flashmob near our gate, we boarded our 1.5 hour flight north to Johannesburg. We each got a small sandwich on the plane for lunch and due to favorable winds, we landed in Johannesburg 15 minutes early. Thanks to it being a domestic flight we were able to quickly make our way out of the airport and found our new bus driver Peter. Then we loaded our luggage on the bus and headed off to Pilanesburg National Park. Along the way we stopped at a large flea market for a bathroom break. Even though we were under strict orders not to buy anything, that didn’t stop the vendors from pouncing on us as we disembarked, shouting claims of free items as we hurried past. Ten minutes later, everyone was on the bus and we headed off to the national park.
As soon as we got there, I realized how special this place was. Just waiting to get our rooms I spotted a Zebra and a family of small monkeys. As I walked into my room for the first time, I gained an understanding of why the lodge has a four star rating. The room was huge with a large bathroom and all the amenities one might need. And to the back of the room was a large window that opened up right onto the reserve. I didn’t have much time to look around however, as we had to go back to lobby as soon as possible to go on our first game drive [Safari]. Less than five minutes after leaving the lodge we spotted our first elephants, two brothers that had recently been forced to live on their own. Our truck turned onto a bumpy road and managed to get us within 20 feet of them. But nothing would prepare me for what happened next. As we continued along the main road, we suddenly pulled over and stopped. Why? There was a fully grown male elephant walking down the road towards us! As it came by the truck, it was less than two feet away, but it didn’t seem to mind and continued along its merry way. Through the rest of the drive, we passed giraffes, two fat hippos, more elephants, wildebeests, impalas, zebras, rhinos, and even a lion! It was absolutely incredible to see. It felt like I was living a NatGeo Documentary.
However, darkness set quickly and we headed off to dinner. No, not in a regular restaurant, but at a large outdoor braai, or barbecue. Here there were many types of meats and sauces, all cooking in large pots placed over flaming hot coals. My favorite new thing was ox tail, it tastes just like beef. As we were about half way through our meals, a group of South African youth came over and began to sing to all of the diners. While we didn’t understand the words they were singing, their tones and dances allowed us to guess at the meanings. Some could have been songs of courting, celebration, hunting, and one appeared to be making fun of goats. In any case, it was really fun to hear them, and for their last song they invited some of us to come up and dance with them. But of course it was getting late, so we got back into the trucks and held our filled stomachs as we travelled the unpaved trails back to the lodge. Once we got back it was straight to bed, but I didn’t mind, After all that travel, food and sights I was ready to get some sleep in my comfortable bed at Bakabung Lodge.
-Luke
-- Quote of the Day:
“Elephant on the road!” exclaimed Clement our game drive driver as the elephant made its way through the vehicles.
Singer of the Day:
Grace, your positive attitude and leadership have been incredibly supportive for your peers and staff. Thank you!
Shoutouts:
Derrick, it has been a pleasure to see you grow, dance and sing during this tour.