African Attitude

I know I am really in vacation mode because I have lost all type A qualities and have relaxed into a nice-laid back-go with the flow-whatever you say-I’m totally happy person. If you have known me and don’t recognize me I’m with you, I hardly recognize myself.

Two days ago I asked Smiley if I could have a pot of tea so I could make myself iced tea. He brought me a small pot with two tea bags in it and said, “I decided to make you Ribose.” My response was, “Great Smiley, I’ll take whatever you want me to have.” I don’t even like Ribose Tea, but I did then.

Yesterday
when we arrived at the Zambian Airport the customs agent asked me where I was going. “I have no idea,” I told her and that was the truth. I had a great travel agent plan the whole trip including having drivers meet us and ferry us everywhere. I have gotten so spoiled by this that I just stopped paying attention to where I was going and just followed whomever was holding the little sign marked “Lange.”

When Russ and I got to our hotel they took us to a terrace to serve us lunch. As I was photographing the vervet monkeys who were throwing tree nuts on the ground, Russ got up to look for a bathroom. He went off in the wrong direction despite my instructions since I had just been there. I did not bother to correct him due to my newly acquired lack of bossiness. Our lunch arrived and rather than be angry that he was not there so I could start, I just pulled out my needlepoint and stitched by the beautiful Zambian river waiting for him. Russ came quickly down a staircase and sat down in his chair. “I just walked into some British couple’s room by mistake.”

“What?” I laughed.

“I was following a sign that read ‘treehouse’ and I did not know that was the name of a room and it was all open, no walls or windows and I practically fell over the bed. The Brits were a little upset that I just walked right in.” I just laughed. “I guess they did not let you use the bathroom?”

After lunch a young guy named Roland came to get us and told us he was our boat driver. “Thanks Roland, but why do we need a boat driver?”

He explained that we were staying on the island 25 minutes down the river where there are five cottages, and a small camp.” Since I had stopped paying attention to any detail of my vacation about six days ago I was a little surprised that I had let this big detail get by me. I also was a little worried what it was going to be like, but in my current “whatever you say man” state I just got on the small boat.

Roland explained about the Hippos and the crocodiles in the water and the elephants on the shore. “Be careful not to fall in this fast moving water, it is hard to get to shore before something gets you.” No Problem.

As we neared the island I did not see a dock, but Roland skillfully drove us up a sandy place. Russ and I got out and were greated by Charles, our valet and Brian the head guy on the island. We were give a yummy drink and were shown around the public areas where we will eat and hang out at the island TV circle, better known as the fire circle. Brian then gave us the really big news that the island had a resident hippo, named Olles, who was living next to our cottage so we had to be very careful and quite when we went there. “How exciting,” I uncharacteristically said.

Instead of going the regular, scenic route to our room, Brian and Charles asked if it was OK for them to take us through the staff camp so we would not disturbed Olles. “Why not?” We did have to eventually tip toe in single file past the huge animal and that was when I got the best surprise. Somehow we were booked into the honeymoon suite, a thatched roof, open air cottage, with a huge deck with a hammock, an out door claw foot tub, outdoor shower, and a toilet with the best view of our sandy yard with huge trees offering cover and a view up river. Heaven.

After meeting the other nine island guests and the seven staff we went off on a sunset cruise with a delightful group of Brits. When we returned our valet Charles met us at the boat and informed me he had drawn up a bubble bath and had champagne waiting for us. It only took me a minute or two to strip down and jump in the pipping hot bath and enjoy an outdoor bath with the sounds of the river.

Russ took a little nap and then it was time for island TV before dinner. Russ and I ate dinner on a little dock and thought we heard the sounds of something big jumping in the water. Our server Brenda told us that the elephants sometime swim to the island and we might have some guests in the night. Since our cottage was on the other side of the tiny island we decided it was time to get there and retire before the elephants arrived. So now I sit writing in our big giant bed with the mosquito netting all around while Russ sleeps. The sounds of frogs, birds, monkey and elephants sing out all around me. The only thing that is silent is Olles, our hippo, who I know can not climb up on our deck and visit. I can hardly wait to see what excitement tomorrow brings. Whatever it is it will be fine with me.