How a Bushman and a College Kid became Friends

Towards the end of the trip I started to get pretty tired of sitting inside listening to biology lectures. Why did I fly across the world anyway - to sit inside? I loved giving a helping hand, and would much rather weld, or setup cameras, or build something rather than sit inside all day. So I’d go take a look around to see what MK was up to -this time he was replacing a leaf spring under his truck. And while I’m no mechanic - I’ve worked on cars here and there - I pointed out that he was about to get hit in the face once he loosened the bolt.

“What should we do then?” he asked. I was taken aback; this whole month I’d been asking him question after question about African wildlife and tracking, observing his behavior, trying learn as much as I could about being safe in the bush. He was the teacher, I was the student. But now, he was putting complete trust in me.

One might say this is a lesson in respect. Despite our massively different upbringings and backgrounds, we both held each other with high regards, and I would help him just as he would help me.

We took the spring off the truck just fine, thankfully no one was injured. And before I was about to leave for home, he left me with a compliment I won’t ever forget, as he said “I learned so much from you.” Although to be quite honest, I definitely learned more from him!