You can see the edge of Hippo Lake on the far right. We had just moments before seen at least a dozen hippos in the shallow waters at the edge of the lake. And our guide informed us that the lake is also full of many crocodiles. Not the kind of place you want to go swimming. (J. Robertson)
Waiting for the worst to happen.
BY JOANNA ROBERTSON
We were beside ourselves. All four of us volunteers were yelling at the driver to stop the vehicle and just stay still and quiet. The park guide was telling the driver to step on the gas and try again. It was mayhem inside our car. I was praying out loud for God to send angels to protect our car. Carrie was forcefully commanding: “God! Control your animal!” as if God was the owner of a misbehaving dog. And I’m quite certain I heard several curse words interspersed between words of prayer.
Now that I’m safe, the thought of frenzied, desperate “prayers and swears” seems funny in retrospect. I’m sure God understands the intensity of our fear in that moment, and besides, the f-bomb is not brand new material for Him!
As this elephant got more and more upset, I was planning our next move. If the elephant rolled our car, were we safe to stay in the car, or did we stand a better chance of surviving if we got out and ran? With the first vehicle less than 100 yards away, we would have had to make a mad dash. The answer depended on whether or not the elephant rolled us into the lake. We determined that we were safer in the car unless the car was in the water. If we were going to be rolled into the lake, should we open the doors and windows so that we could swim out if necessary? (Water
pressure makes it very difficult to open windows and doors once you’re already submerged.) If the car ended up in the lake, how would we quickly exit so that we weren’t killed by hippos and crocodiles? If the elephant rolled us, how would we protect our heads and vital organs? (Crunch into a fetal position and hold onto something fixed.) Should we try to secure all the loose items in the car like backpacks so that they don’t knock us out? If one of us got out of the car to distract the elephant, could the others safely run to the other vehicle? And who would the sacrificial lamb be? If we found ourselves outside of the vehicle, what was the best way to avoid being killed by an elephant? Should we run? Play dead? Climb a tree? Every scenario was frightening—and our options not very reassuring.
Meanwhile, the driver continued to take progressive runs at the termite mound. Each time we moved, the elephant would grow more irate. He was coming at us broadside, flapping his ears and looking all crazy. The driver finally got up enough speed to clear the termite mound and we were off!
The elephant chased us, and then he got smart. He saw that the first car had turned right, so he changed direction so that instead of chasing us from behind/beside, he tried to cut us off up ahead. Lucky for us, we beat him there. iT!
Joanna Robertson travels primarily for work, but always manages to find time to wander wherever she finds herself. Her experiences have taken her across five continents and 20-some countries, from city slums to rural community gardens and from humble homes to the middle of vast wilderness. But whatever the destination, Joanna is passionate about sharing her stories and experiences with anyone who has a heart to listen.
Copyright © 2010 · Open Reel Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved ·
