There have been occassions in my life where people have found it absolutely wonderful that I am Australian. The conjour up the courage to come and talk to me, usually saying, "Are yoU Australian? Can you 'G'day mate," in some off-putting try-hard wanna-be Australian Accent. I frown, then realising that I could have a lot of fun, my usual course of action would be to comply. The conversation and meeting would revolve around them either asking me to keep saying things in a broad Australian accent; or asking about animals. Namely if I use my Kangaroo to get around. This is the part that gets interesting. I recall one such encounter when I was in Los Angeles. I told my classmates that I had a number of Kangaroos. The biggest and best, Barry, was my transport. Bazza and I would go everywhere together. Then there was Susan. She helped me bake. Dave-O helped me do my banking and Ben-O was there on Bazza's days off. Myrtle was my watchdog, although she was a Kangaroo. Then I taught them the Australian Christmas carol, Six White Boomers and told them it was based on fact.
I am sure you got a laugh out of that story. I did and I always do. However, the same has occurred since my living in Africa - I don't ride my pet elephant around - she lives in the spare room. Melba and I watch Tv, get manicures and pedicures together and ride our bikes around. Alison the hippo lives down at the dam, that is why I walk there a few times a week to visit her. Jeff the Lion acts as my watchdog and I ride Alfred the giraffe instead of having a car.
The romanticism of African Savannah exists, just not where I live. Though, there is plenty of other amazing wildlife around. Like Bernadette, the three metre-long cobra that came to visit two weeks ago. I have had visitors from the Shingalolo (millipede) Family - Emelda, Juliet and Angelo have visited me. This morning, the entire population of (bull)ants turned up at the front door, just to say 'hi' and have a cuppa. There are others too: John the frog, Caleb the Raven, Andrea, Melissa and Katrina the Squirrels and Graham the spider (who has perished).
To get a real, up close encounter with the African Bush and Wildlife that exists, all you need to do is turn up at my door step, sit back, have a cuppa and look out the window. What you will see will be the true African Wildlife.
