A Warthog experience

Somehow, I always get myself into doing something new in a different place, over the weekend, if only to get a feel of a different environment. Anyone feel me? However, it doesn’t always work out my way. It gets to a point when so much needs to abruptly be done at home, school, church or any other place. Recently, I threw my hands in the air giving up all my pleasures and duties and decided to stay in for the weekend. Being an outdoors person, as much as I wanted to do more important things, I decided to explore the neighbouring surroundings. I hate being alone so I convinced one of my friends to tag along. See, this friend of mine recently moved to the country from overseas. I must say we were both awed at the beauty of how the evening’s delightful sunset. Being lovers of nature, we decided to get a better view of the sunset from a different side of where we were in Musanze. Call it chasing after the sunset, perhaps. So on and on we went, past the Musanze market, the police academy, the vast rocky areas, then she checked the time! It was getting late and dark. We had been so engrossed in our nature walk that we had lost track of time. “What! We have to head back!” exclaimed my friend. Fast on our heels, under the bright moonlight, we walked down the street towards Musanze town. We had barely walked a few meters when we realized something was following us. “Oh my God, It’s a warthog!” my friend said in a frightened voice, while running. Without hesitating and thinking, I also took to my heels down the road. Then it slightly hit me! I’ve never really seen a warthog before. I stopped abruptly just as my friend was navigating her way round a sort of corner. As I was grappling with the racing thoughts in my head on what to do next, the supposed warthog passed by me and alas! It was just a lost puppy finding its way home. How could I not have looked at the “warthog” the first time she mentioned it? By the time I caught up with my friend, she was out of breath, shouting at me to hurry up. She relaxed when I told her that it was just a puppy. We walked closely together until five minutes later; she jumped the highest I’ve ever seen anyone jump. This time though, the supposed chameleon was a shadow cast by a tree. How could I forget that she was new to this natural environment? From that day though, I decided that the next time we go sightseeing, it will never be in the evening. Then at least I am sure, we won’t have another warthog experience! ushed91@yahoo.ca