Everything moves in time. My mind overflows with thoughts. The best way to sift through them...feet hitting the ground, shades on, ear buds in and Boy & Bear streaming. While some people have epiphany's in the shower, others on the throne, I have my best ideas while wandering the streets of my neighbourhood. Yes, I am one of "those" people who block out the world around them and walk with determination. There is nothing quite like a brisk two hour walk to pump the blood and feed the brain. Although, generally a social person, I can be introspective at times and will admit to getting lost in my own thoughts. You may even catch me having a one way conversation.
I have wandering feet or itchy feet as my parents call them. They take me places I would have never dared venture. My feet are monsters, they literally have a mind of their own. When everything in my being screams NO, they say GO. Skimming through some of my past posts, you would hardly believe I was a big "scaredy cat". True story. Case in point, Crescent Island, home to giant pythons. Who in their right mind, would A) visit such an island? let alone B) explore it on foot? If all hands are pointing to me, you are correct my friends.
Crescent island, a choice shooting location for such films as Tomb Raider and Out of Africa, was my pick of the trip. I credit this to my feet treading where no sane mind would. So engrossed was I by my surroundings; dung beetle rolling their treasures across the path, ants scurrying away in orderly fashion, giraffe galloping within a few meters, fish eagles calling overhead, it was no wonder my guide had to pull back on my backpack to break me out of my reverie. Perturbed that he had stopped me so, I began to scan my surroundings. Gazing at the log that crossed my path, my eyes began to refocus. Was that a tongue I just saw flicker? My eyes were surely playing tricks on me. The log was breathing. Was it a log? Of course it wasn't a log! In fact, it was a 4 meter python. This giant python was both beautiful and intimidating. To be so perfectly camouflaged and lay motionless while being gawked at by several pairs of eyes, I tip my hat to the snake. Naturally, the story doesn't end here and for those of you who know me all too well, you can guess what I did next. I touched it. To clarify, I wouldn't have done this without my guide's say so. I may be adventurous but I am not stupid, although I do like touching everything around me. What can I say? I am a very tactile person. The heat radiating from the giant python quickly spread from my fingers to my palms. Although the moment seemed to last forever, within a few seconds of my touching it, this giant python began its retreat into the tall grass. They say pythons are not very quick snakes, in fact, at top speed, they can move 1.6km/hr on open ground but I beg to differ. For its size and girth, this giant python, had both stealth and speed. Thereafter, grinning from ear to ear, my guide and I finished our walk without much fanfare.
Although back in the land of grizzly bears and cougars, I allow my mind to return to thoughts of Africa. My feet continue to move me forward at a ridiculous pace when I'm in a contemplative mood but one thing is for sure, no matter where I am in the world, even when I am lost in my own thoughts, I give logs on my path the respect they deserve. After all, I once almost stepped over a giant python.
No comments:
Post a Comment