14/06/2015
June 9th 2015 (Tuesday)
On this day, everyone woke up and headed out of the house before sunrise, but it was well worth it. Over an hour away by car, our final destination was the Fairy Glen Game Reserve for the long-awaited safari. As we road up, we were surrounded by mountains and long stretches of land. Even if there was no safari, a part of me would have loved to have come here just for the scenery. We were welcomed warmly by the owners of Fairy Glen and presented with a delicious breakfast, just as our stomachs began rumbling. Right after that, we hopped on a safari truck and were guided down a bumpy road toward the animals.
The Fairy Glen safari is known for having the Big Five, and we managed to see most of them, starting with some Cape buffalo, which were a bit separated from the rest so that they wouldn’t attack the rhinos for fun. They actually came pretty close, and the open sides of the safari vehicle made it even more exciting. After that initial encounter, we spotted two brother African elephants, the lion and his two lionesses, two white rhinoceros, as well as a bunch of zebras, springbok, ostriches, etc. It seemed that the elephants stole the show, though one was in a bad mood when we found it. There was a mini freak-out in the vehicle when we crossed the fence that separated us from the lion and the lionesses, but none of them payed much attention to us. At most, they looked at us lazily for a short while before continuing with their sun bathing. But it was still amazing to see these animals so much closer than I thought we would get. Some of the zebras seemed especially close, so we all got a bunch of great pictures. The ranger that guided the safari also introduced us to Lady and Higgins, the two rhinoceros of the Fairy Glen. Because of what they’ve been through, they’re very well protected. The pair had been poached in the past for their horns, and both suffered terribly. The poachers cut the horns out, going deep enough to destroy the sinus passages, and then left them there to die. Though today the couple is alive and doing well, the damage is done. Out of the Big Five, the only animal we didn’t get to see was the leopard, though that one might have been asleep somewhere.
After the safari, we were treated to lunch with a beautiful view, and we also got to explore the gift shop a bit. Though the safari had been the day's main attraction, some of us gathered enough energy to go out to the Greenmarket Square one last time later that day. It was about closing time when we got there, so there was quite a hustle and push to get us to buy. But it seems we all managed to get some great last minute gifts in that frenzy.
That evening, we were back at Forex for dinner. But this dinner was unique, because it was the time to share all that we experienced and learned. Although we have many great memories of the safari and other attractions, these three weeks were more of a unique and irreplaceable learning experience. On one hand we explored South African culture and history, and on the other we explored something more related to our career interests. Many told emotional stories of their experiences, and how they bonded with those they had met here in South Africa. Many remarked on new realizations and observations, and how it influenced their perception of the world, as well as their own future. At the end, the group agreed that this trip changed them, perhaps in a way that can’t be easily put into words or understood, but will always be there shaping our perception and motivations.
- Jessica Krawiec
