Lion Park./ circus (day 1)

Well my first day here in South Africa is over now. Because of all the time change and everything it sort of feels like it has been 3 days. The flight here was wonderful. I got to meet a few nice people on the plane as well as watch some movies that I have been meaning to rent. When I landed here in South Africa I wasn’t sure what to expect as far as airport wise. It was quite like Atlanta to be honest, but just not as busy. I got my luggage and thankfully nothing was stolen (apparently that is quite a problem here). I got out to where you go and meet the people that are waiting for and I couldn’t seem to find my sister and brother-in-law. I went to a place called Telkom and bought a pre-paid calling card to I could call them (my cell phone doesn’t seem to get any reception here; I forgot to call Verizon and tell them I was coming). Anyways, I called my sister and she wasn’t far from the airport, but unfortunately there car had over heated and they were stuck on the side of the road at the time. They apparently weren’t in a very good part of town, so it was a bit dangerous. She told me to go grab something to eat and that they would be there soon. So, I went up stairs and ate, and came back down. It was about 6:30 and I saw a lady that sort of looked like my sister, but I wasn’t quite sure. I decided that the one way I could tell if it was her or now was if she went to Telkom and looked inside. So, I see her go to Telkom and start looking around, and I decided to head over there and see if it was her. God willing, it was. We got to the house we are staying at with no problem, I got to meet some of their e friends, and then we headed to bed.

Next morning we all woke up and started doing our morning “procedures”. Eating breakfast, taking showers, and getting dressed. The plans for the day where to go to a Lion camp and then to a circus. So, we went to the lion camp and had a picnic, and also got to feed and pet the Giraffes (picture located at the end of the blog) and also an Austrage. After eating we got in the car and started driving around the park (it’s a driving tour). We got to move at our own pace and everything. The first thing we saw was zebra’s. They were beautiful. Then we continued on and saw a few other animals. Finally we got to the lion camps (there were four of them). Now, they have the lions encaged in a separate area then the other animals, but the gates to the lion camps where wide open and there where people (staff) standing right by the gates. The Lions could get up at any time the pleased and just walk right out, and easily over power the staff. It was amazing and crazy at the same time. We went through the first 2 camps and it was just a beautiful site. The lions where so close, in yet so lazy. They would all be bundled up together under a tree or any other place there was shade. When we got to the 3rd camp, a lion walked right in front of the car. I was able to catch it on video and in a picture. It was just so cool. The Lion was so close to the car, that if we had rolled down the window, we could pet it. It was a great site. Then we went on to the circus. Oh what a circus it was. They had amazing acts there. They had lions and tigers, elephants and horses, and of course humans. The entertainers there where amazing as well. One of the guys would get on this wheel and start going around like a hamster. Then he got on top of it (it was in the air a few feet) and started walking around on top. Now this thing was spinning in circles coming very close to the ground, so this was no easy task. Then they said he was going to do it blind folded. My little niece was so scared for him, so her and my sister prayed for him that he wouldn’t be harmed and that he would be ok. So he started the act, and as the wheel started going around, he lost his control over it, and fell, but he caught the wheel and was able to dodge the ground, the crew stopped the wheel and he got of safely. It was just so cool to see God at work, and even more amazing for my niece to be worried for the welfare of others. She truly is a great Christian. It was a very eventful day, and I have seen lots of wild animals today. It has been truly amazing. The culture here is shockingly very similar to ours in the USA. They have nice houses and cars and stores like we do at home. Now, don’t let me fool you though, not every part of South Africa is great. We drove through a place today where people actually lived in little huts made out of aluminum. Can you imagine living in a little hut made out of aluminum with not ventilation and it being 100 degrees outside? It was really a sad site. I think that most of us take what we have for granted. I know we hear that a lot, but when you come to a place like this and see it first hand, you really do see how good we have it. People would give anything for some of the things we have. Like running water, food, cloths, and the ability to know that your chance for waking up the next morning are high. I think that we all have a lot to learn, no matter how much we think we know, we don’t know it all until you have lived through it all first hand.

I have a lot I want to share, but it is.11:39 p.m. here, which is 4:39 there. So it is a bit late, and I am quite tired after this long day. I have another long day ahead of me tomorrow, and then I believe Saturday we head to where my sister and brother-in-law live. You guys won’t see this right after I finish writing because I have to wait until morning to get internet on someone else’s laptop to post it. I have included a few pictures below, so you guys can see what is going on. I am not sure how many pictures I will have and what of until the day I post it, but I hope they are nice and cool for you guys. I look forward to blogging more, and I am going to try and do it as much as possible. I hope you are all doing well and fell free to email or post any questions or comments you have. Have a great day.
Love,
simon




By the way, the picture of the Lion was taken from inside our car, he actually walked in front of the car, then came to my side. It was trully amazing.