thank you to image source

One of the most painful things I have ever experienced was when my intrepid friends took me rock-climbing (hiking, actually) at Matopos National Park (also called Matobo National Park), near Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. I am not intrepid, myself, and I am hardly the outdoor type (in fact, I'm not, at all!). The car was parked on some road in the park, I was persuaded to leave the car (in my flip-flops and jeans and all), and persuaded to come with them (in case there was wildlife around, I would be on my own and defenseless, I was told).

The climb was bad enough. Most of it could be done without the use of your hands, but there was a portion where I was convinced I would simply topple backwards and never be heard from again. I did make it to the top, however. The view was fantastic! And then, after sunning ourselves for a while, my kind friends informed me that it was getting late, and we might not make it back to the car before dark if we didn't take the less easy route back down (this, after having assured me beforehand that there was an easy route down!!)...

To cut a long story short, I made it back down with my shoes in my hands (and feeling terrified that I would lose one, and then have to brave the thorns in the bush with one sandal on), and me on my bum, with my hand in the hand of someone who patiently walked along beside me. (Picture me shuffling along on my bottom, with a tall male next to me, gently urging me along as he calmly walked down). I have never been so terrified; and if I thought I wasn't, I was sick afterwards, and had to find a loo in the middle of the bush....

But for the average person (that is, the person who doesn't faint at the sight of a little bit of dust, the threat of various insects, and no hot water or television or cell-phone coverage) Matopos is a beautiful, peaceful, and fun place to go. The rock formations are magnificent, and few things are as beautiful as watching the sun set over the hills...

ps. And then I got home, got into a hot bath, lay down, and found a tick on my belly...