How to have fun and be nervous at the same time

we experience today what they call a "walking" safari. sounds simple enough. but, then again, maybe not. we are met by our guide, samson, a local tribesman who doubles as our tracker on our morning and evening safaris. I cannot help but notice the large weapon he is shouldering. I begin to appreciate the earnestness of the threat out there when he shows us his bullets which are larger than most toes. we are about to walk out into the bush and samson is our first and last line of defense. on today's walk, it's just samson, lily, alex and me.

samson tells us to walk single file behind him. when I ask why, he calmly tells me it's so he has a better field of vision should he need to shoot an attacking animal. my breathing becomes a bit shallower. alex and I jostle for position to see who can adhere as closely as possible to the back of samson's shirt. lily, however, thinking she's out for a walk on the beach -- head down, looking for the perfect seashell -- lags behind apparently content to become an amuse bouche for a lurking predator.

samson is delightful as he introduces us to his wide ranging knowledge of all things flora and fauna in the bush. under any other circumstance, this would be a joyful experience, but I get a stiff neck craning it in every possible direction checking to see if there might be a 4 legged beast tagging along, stalking. we are told that under no circumstances are we to run if we see one of the big guys: lion, cheetah, leopard, buffalo. apparently, that act rings their dinner bell. thanks for the heads up, samson.