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Waking up wasn't the easiest of mornings I've had, I'm just glad that Flashbacks wasn't busy. It only got made worse being confronted with Shaka and Clyde's pens. They were a mess and smelled absolutely disgusting. Bending down and searching for warm dung the way I was feeling is definitely a low for me here! Apparently they might have worms so have to keep an eye on them and the rest in the coming days. The morning didn't stay low for long though. Michelle and I were on our last training session with Raffa and Luisa so all we had left to do was bask in the morning sun and chat away. I did get the opportunity of being a tourist and had a few pictures taken with Shungu. I hardly had any photos of me with the elephants after two weeks. It's a lot harder when you've travelled somewhere on your own as you're the only one taking pictures!
I think we should have paid more attention to Raffa's training though. She managed to nearly get herself killed by the baby of the group, 3 year old Thato. She managed to get apart from the guides and then got between the elephants. She got trapped between a tree and Thato and Thato went for her. The worst thing you can do when elephant charges you is make yourself smaller. You have to stand your ground and make loud noises. Raffa however, ducked down and made herself into a small ball, which to be fair is an instinctive reaction. However, not a smart move! The guides were not happy. I think she's learnt her lesson. I think she's still struggling a little bit here but she seems like she understands more of the English now which hopefully will make her feel a bit more involved.
It was sawdust day again today. It seems to be no end of the stuff at the moment. I haven't had a rest today and because of last night my energy is extremely low. Yes I know, it's my fault! My breaks were all filled by shovelling sawdust and Michelle and I drew the short straw by having 2 shifts where everyone had one. All this hard work has had some effect on my body though! I've definitely got a little bit stronger and my fitness has improved so much. My legs are even getting toned! Anyway, apparently my hard work wasn't appreciated by David as me raking all the sawdust in the pens wasn't hard enough and I should swap to give someone a 'rest'. The evidence of my being bright red and very sweaty was obviously not enough evidence that it was hard work! Oh well, it's getting to the end of his stay and now the German girls have gone, who were the only ones to give him the time of day, he's just getting on everyone's nerves. He's managed to get himself another 3 weeks in South Africa but not staying here but some camp and not here.
I had my night shift tonight/this morning, at 2am. Abi nearly slept through hers and I hardly slept after I woke up with that commotion as I thought I would do the same. All the elephants were asleep when I arrived, minus Mashudu. They all woke up at least once in my hour and a half shift and it was mainly to go to the toilet! It's amazing how much elephant fart. It was almost like they were having a conversation. Their farts sound like you're popping bubble wrap, quite delicate! Not what you would expect a huge elephant to make. Harry, our biggest bull, was definitely snoring. We had to keep a special eye on Keisha to see if any of her self directed behaviour was related to anything stressful that was happening in the Boma. There wasn't anything apart from after she woke up, went to the toilet, she slept with her trunk wrapped around the top of the bars and leaning against it. It was so cute. I did find at the end I was taking 3 minute naps in between the 5 minute time slots that we had to write down what they were doing.
Luckily I get one of the lie-ins (8am) tomorrow morning and it's only a half day so I'm sure I'll make it through.
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