So Leia has been getting progressively grouchier and more stressed-out lately (in an entirely adorably munchkinesque way) and finally caved and sent an email out asking people to volunteer to go hiking with her. I said no. Then yes. Then no. Then yes. and by then I’d paid and it was basically a done deal so there was no getting out of it.
And on Friday, after much drama, some teaching of students who actually semi-behaved (the joys of threatening them with science-discussion when you’re using real-world examples seems to work) we packed our stuff into the superawesome C-mobile and headed off to Suikerboschfontein (it’s a real name. I promise!) in Mpumalanga.
I was a little bit nervous – I’d never done a real hike before (as in you carry your stuff and it’s over more than one day) and I’d heard stories about the death-defying stunts involved in crossing over waterfalls and stuff and as those who know me will tell you, I’m mildly prone to total freak-outs including shaking and clinging on to rocks and attempting to get into the foetal position without letting go…
A long drive (I am a fan of the Mazda-2 now for the roads it dealt with) a highly entertaining dinner (thanks to Luke for the incredible pasta-sauce) involving the tall people walking into the hanging gas-canister lamps a lot and lots of crazy giggling and conversations about greasy utensils and a decent sleep later I felt much better! The place we stayed at was amazing to, in a cabin-type-thing tucked into a bunch of rocks and weird rock formations. Going to the bathroom involved negotiating a crazy pathway between rock-pillars and things and it was SO pretty!
I will write more about the actual hike tomorrow, for now I will say: it was AMAZING! we really bonded, the company was awesome, the walk was stunning and I’m not even very sore today, except for my feet which only hurt when I try to walk on them.
3 comments:
I was invited for a lazy beach walk once. It was described as an 'easy hike' to ease back into the season after the excesses of Christmas and New Year. "Sure!" I said, in hindsight a little too enthusiastically. "How bad could it be?" I thought, naively.
Well, 18km later, 9km of which was directly into a howling wind I decline all hikes with a firm 'No thanks, I have Discovery Channel.'
Ooh it sounded fun! I would like to hear more about your hike that involved bum sliding and ropes.
cestlavietlb: that was very much my opinion of hikes before this one and I'm such a convert now! although 18km on a beach in a headwind might just change my mind...
Po: will do!
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