Hungry Lion

We always used to laugh at the South African chain next to the supermarket in Chimoio which seemed to be imitating the ever popular American fast food chains. The food, though we never tried it, was said to be less than appealing but the name, 'The Hungry Lion' seemed very fitting.

It was especially fitting this week. We were in Johannesburg for Southern Africa retreat this past week. It was a good time but we had a few mishaps. Each day activities were planned for people to participate in, going to the apartheid museum, hiking, and such. It so happened that one of the activities was visiting a lion park. It was said to be fascinating but this particular time the lions were more interested in our cars. I was no with the group but as it was told to me, one such lion chose the spare tire on the back of our car for its affection. The driver said that he felt the car shake and in moments the lion had bit through the tread and sidewall, deflating the tire. Thank goodness he chose the spare.

I guess our car fared the better. A lion jumped into the back of the second car, puncturing the tarp and scratching the side. Apparently it had been feeding time and that car looked similar to the one that brings the meat.

It seems that we had heard of a similar instance where some other MCCers a few years earlier had been to the same park before going camping, marinating barbeque meat and all in the back of the trailer. I guess they had quite a pack of lions following them through the park. I guess we should have learned.

Picture to come