Lion on the Loose

I'm amazed at how normal life can feel even when you're living in Africa. In the West, we tend to have a very romanticized, National Geographic-esque picture in our minds of what "Africa" is like, when in reality day-to-day life can look very similar to how it might in America. School, work, grocery shopping, meetings, visiting with friends, church events, etc. Of course, there are always going to be cultural and practical differences, but you develop a daily routine here just as easily as you do anywhere else.

This morning started off very typically. I got up early to shower only to find out that we were out of hot water. Again. I left the house shortly after 8am to begin my walk to the Skinner's home where I teach Dade. Forty minutes and a few roadside conversations later, I arrive at their home ten minutes early. I let myself in, pour a hot cup of coffee, and sit at the kitchen island waiting for 9am to roll around so we can start school.

And that's when it happens. When life seems so normal and routine, a situation will arise that snaps you back to reality and reminds you where you are.

This morning it came in the form of exciting information passed through the grape vine. Apparently, a lion had been spotted in Nkokonjeru, our "neighborhood," last night. They suspect it wandered over from Lake Mburo, a local game park not too far outside of Mbarara. Besides multiple sightings last night, the evidence was found this morning in the form of bones left over from some goats, missing pigs, and Zillah's neighbor's dog that was found dead after bleeding out from a large bite mark on its neck. We've also learned that the people in the area where the lion was roaming last night sounded some type of horn used to signal to others in the area if a wild animal has been spotted. Apparently, game wardens have been called in today to track the lion down. Many people were excited about it (including us!), others were frightened, and some simply offered words of wisdom like, "Don't run," and "Be sure to tell your friend who lives up the hill. It was spotted there last night," and "If you meet it just say, 'Agandi...stand still while I take your photo.' Just greet it first."

Despite search efforts, nothing has been found yet. Who knows if we'll ever hear the conclusion of this exciting episode. As much as we'd love to see the lion with our own eyes, I doubt that will happen either. What I can tell you for sure is that I really am living in an African country.

Some days just feel like it more than others.