How did I get there? Although Etosha can be considered a remote location, it is a place with an opportunity around every corner, and no invitation should be overlooked. About a month ago I received an invite to Friday night drinks at the bar, I almost said no. I was tired, I work Saturdays and I had a feeling I’d be the only English speaker in a group of Afrikaans speakers. I said yes. We are talking about a cold beverage after all, one that comes in a pint and costs a little over $2AUD. On arrival I realised I only knew one person (fortunately a warden who obligingly speaks English in front of me, although don’t tell him I called him obliging, it might be considered an insult). Within 2 minutes I had been introduced to two documentary makers working in the park. One of whom was the scientific advisor for the Namibian parts of David Attenborough’s ‘Africa’. For those that don’t know, to me being involved in doco making in a scientific capacity is about equal to a ten-year-old girls’ dream of being a ballet dancer. Highly unlikely, somewhat unknown, and still the object of daydreams. Their first word to me was ‘Sorry’ as they had spent the last day sitting between the waterhole and my wildebeest so my sampling wasn’t going according to plan. Ok, so I don’t think they were that sorry at all but they tried!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Throughout the night I wanted to ask every question possible about documentaries, but I kept true to form and didn’t pester anyone. Fortunately after sleeping on it, aka staying awake all night thinking about documentaries, I realised I needed to be pushy. The next day I showed up unannounced asking if I could tag along with them for a day. To be fair, it took so long to work up my nerves that it was almost the next, next day by the time I asked them. I have since been told by two friends, both of whom I consider bolder than me that I must have, and I quote, “balls of steel” to have done that. Being that forward is not usually ever me, but fortunately it paid off and they actually said yes. So the next day with a ridiculous grin on my face and binoculars in hand, I tagged along while they followed a pride of 16 lions. The lions slept most of the day and they didn’t even budge when presented with the aforementioned springbok, in a scene that looked more like sushi train than the African savanna. I could almost see that springbok thanking his lucky stars after he got away. With the lions complete lack of interest in any form of activity it wasn’t the greatest day for the crew but they did manage to get time-lapses of the supermoon rising and a beautiful sunset. We also got free beers from a group of very drunk Namibians. It was in apology for them sitting in a very loud car idling right near the video cameras. The car was so loud that the guys in the back seat actually used a walkie talkie to speak to the driver. Upon giving us beers they explained that the car needed to be kept idling as it didn’t have a battery…  I am not sure what the plan was if they stalled in the middle of the park.  I guess it is fortunate that the lions weren’t hungry that day.

 

Overall the experience was great as I got to see the crew in action with stills shots, video footage and time-lapse shots, I got to learn a bit about what they do, and I got a severe case of incurable tech-envy. Sorry mum, but you should see my list to Santa this year, I hope he exists because only magic will fit all my new wants into one present stocking!

 

This blog was supposed to include a lot more than one opportunity, hence the title, but as I type this and see the end of the page nearing I think I best sign off, so perhaps this month will be two-blog month.