Greetings from other side of earth,

Welcome to the fifth day of the trip. We started off our day by waking up five am to do morning safari. After the seeking, we ate sausage, roesterkook, scrambled eggs and raw bacon for breakfast. We did a lot animal exploring during the day. We saw total of seven animals which includes rhino, cheetah, steenbok and more. Due to timing, during the middle of the day we stopped at food market to get takeout lunch. We ate burger and french fries. Also, we were able to send out our post cards to TSD elementary students to share our experience in safari.

We learned way too lot facts. Be prepared to be overwhelmed with the facts that I am about to tell you. Cheetah can go up to eighty-zero mph but, only for twenty-zero seconds. Also, crocodile have the strongest stomach acid in the world. It can digest hair unlikely human and many mammals. Buffalo and gnu are the only animals who usually have four wives. Additionally, female hyenas and elephants is the boss of the family. Also, female lion is really the queen of the bush, it owns a territory. Male lion never owns a territory, it only come to female lion's territory just to mate then leave after mating. Giraffe is the only animal that have no issue relating territory.

We also learned that you cannot identify which gender on hyenas unless you see them milking the babies. Then you will finally know the gender. Lastly, you remember famous bible story about Cain and Abel. This apply to hyenas, when two sisters are born. Eventually they will earn to kill one of each other to be ranked first in the family. Ironically, hyena brothers don't practice "cainism." Now, enough with the facts. I hope you all learn something new today like we all did!

In the evening, we had our first braai. We ate boerewors, kudu burger, impala burger for dinner. The meat tasted very unique and amazing. It was grilled by our tour guide, Arun. Fun fact…in South Africa, it considered offensive when you say BBQ. So instead saying BQQ, you should say braai. Braai means exact same thing as BQQ. We wrapped up our night with last night safari ride searching for the trip. We saw female lions, warthog, and too many owls. Afterwards, we all went back to our hut and sleep like a baby. Tomorrow we will go to Johannesburg, looking forward for tomorrow to begin! See you all tomorrow!

Taran Johnson

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Comments:

Crystal Schwartz: Sweet! TSD elementary students will be thrilled to receive the postcards. Arun sounds like a good tour guide.

Claire Bugen: So much fun to read this. Hmmm--bet that braai of kuda and impala burgers was unique. Enjoy!

Kristen: Glad that you enjoy your trip.

Cynthia Foss: Raw Bacon? Yuck. You must have iron stomachs. Love reading the blog. Great writings!

Wanda Kelley: I enjoy reading the blogs. Keep enjoying!

Traci: Am enjoying myself learning the facts, and "braai" Ketchum family would love to try the kudu burger someday. Have fun in Johannesburg, hope you get to see the deaf school there.

Marcus: The reason why South Africa find it offensive to say BBQ when braai means the same?? Is it becuase when South African do braai, they cook the wide array of meat? or what? So many facts that we learned from reading the blog. I'm sure we will learn soon enough about the term of braai.