It was 5am on a Monday morning. I was only 24 years of age
and ready to start only my second overland safari of my career. The Johannesburg
International Airport now OR Tambo
airport, was getting ready for another day of activity. By the time my five new
female clients from Italy approached me I was standing all by myself with the
welcome sign in my hand.
I started by introducing myself to the obviously tired
looking ladies but before I could finish I was informed that one of the ladies
lost part of her luggage. I offered to go and look for it at the lost luggage
department but was quickly informed that if I do not mind her not waring any
underwear during the next seven days we could depart for Kruger National Park
as they were excited to start their adventure.
The five soon made themselves comfortable in our vehicle and
enjoyed their beauty sleep until we reached the town of Belfast in Mpumalanga
Province. After a quick coffee and bathroom brake we were back on the road. Then
came the question: “Is there a place nearby where we can purchase alcohol?”
There are in dead, I replied, but it is 8:30 in the morning?
We did not ask you for the time one of the ladies replied, we would like
something stronger than coffee to drink please. We pulled into the small town of
Machadodorp just as the shops was about to open and like 5 international
athletes my guests disappeared into the nearest liquor store.
After what felt like for ever they reappeared clinging on to
a one litter bottle of Russian Vodka and a five litter orange juice. Climbing
into the vehicle they had a discussion with one another in their native
language and shortly after two of them disappeared again into the same liquor
store.
On the arrival of the two ladies back at the vehicle I
caught a glimpse of another one litter bottle of Vodka joining us on our
adventure. Like true barmen or in this case bar ladies they managed to open the
first bottle and was pouring themselves drinks in the moving vehicle without
spilling a drop. Then another and of course another just for the sake of it.
After the city of Nelspruit (2hours later) I felt something travelling over my
shoulder landing on the dashboard of our vehicle followed by giggles. I picked
it up and immediatley realised that it was woman’s underwear.
“So what am I suppose to do with this ladies”, I asked with
a clear look of confusion and disbelieve on my face. “You need to guest who it
belongs to” they replied in almost a hysteric tone of voice.
“Well it will not be yours”, pointing at the lady that lost
her luggage, “as you would need yours for the next seven days.” Everybody laughed
and our journey continued. Entering Kruger National Park brought a new wave of
giggles, laughter and excitement as they
started to enjoy the amount of animals we were seeing and my explanations on
some of the animals was often interrupted by the sound of another round of
drinks being poured.
Arriving at our lodge I carried their luggage into their
rooms and made sure they were comfortable and happy and as I was about to
depart to my own accommodation I was asked where I will be sleeping. I explained that I have a chalet on the other
side of the camp they insisted that there was enough room for me to share
accommodation with them and did not have to move so far away from them. As I
did not know how to reply I just smiled, announced the time that we will meet
for dinner and made sure to get out of there like the Road Runner leaving the Coyote
behind.
After enjoying an incredible traditional dinner around the
campfire we arrived back at their accommodation and I was invited in for a glass
of wine. I was about to return to my room when they asked me how I will be
getting back. I replied that I will use our vehicle and then immediately realised
that the keys mysteriously disappeared. Without even looking for them I quickly
said that I would walk back and with a lot of laughter the keys was handed to
me by one of the ladies.
The next morning at 4:30 I knocked on the door of two of the
ladies ready to hand them coffee and rusks just to be completely surprised by
them opening the door naked. A plan of action was needed and needed NOW! I
gathered the five ladies around a table in one of the chalets and I explained
to them that we need to get a grip on this situation and if I am going to
survive the next couple of days they will need to start behaving themselves in
such a way that we can all enjoy our time in this magical place without any
other magic interfering in my duties as their guide.
Eighteen years later I can now look back at those
experiences and just smile.
#BeTheDifference
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