Ah, the long weekend. It was a beautiful day. You know, one of those days where I actually wanted to go out on a long walk. (Well get out of the apartment anyway)
Francis, you hate walking.
You’re right. But I hate sitting around more.
The sun was shining, the sky was clear. I just needed to get groceries and stretch my legs. And stretch my legs I did. I got groceries and came home. But that little walk just didn’t do it for me. So I decided that on this day, I would go to the Melville Koppies. A koppie is Afrikaans for a big hill.
Imagine if you will, what resembles nature as if humans never molested it. Now, imagine that in the middle of the city. Yes, just like how High Park is a breath for fresh air, the koppies bring a natural ambience to the otherwise crowded city. M and I hiked through the koppie snapping photos as we went along. [Call me whatever you will, I don't care. It was nice]
During our hike we met a nice couple and their three dogs. They welcomed us and gave us directions to the Botanical Garden. [It would figure that the walkers would know their way around the city]
Well, like any garden, there were many beautiful flowers and other flora. Something that I just appreciated seeing.
Forget this; let me get to the good part.
Thinking to myself, what a great weekend this has been. They popped out of nowhere.
Who??
The skelm boys.
Around the bend in the road, behind bushes two skelm walked in front of me. Unlike all the other nice people I’ve met in the last month, these guys had some sort of problem. Well this was my judgment as they were oh, 5 metres away. [Well, the language running through my head was much different]
The knife flicked out. And he thrust towards my chest. His accomplice came behind and grabbed me by the balls. I wasn’t going anywhere. [My life doesn't flash before my eyes. I'm just really deep you know what]
Francis, are you serious?
It was a shiny knife, the same kind that I would use if I were to go hunting. A simple flip out blade, but it put me into shock quite effectively. It's the kind of knife that you can gut fish with effortlessly. I think back to my army cadet days and now why we weren't allowed to carry knives this big.
My mind was racing. And I was panic stricken. I couldn't fight two guys twice my size.
As I was held against the divider, they asked for my wallet and my cell phone.
They got my cell phone and my camera. I showed them my wallet and they, in disgust rejected it. [I guess being poor has some advantages.] Well the other guy just grabbed my camera, I was hoping that he would let go of my balls.
It was over quicker than it had begun. In 30 seconds, those two managed to put a dent in image that I have for this wonderful country. I was upset by this; not for losing my cell phone, but for the fact that I put my friend in danger. He too lost his cell phone in this ordeal. These two guys most likely tossed the cell phones and the camera away. My phone is one of those really crappy Motorola F3 phones. My camera was pretty good but it's aging. What a waste. I had so many amazing photos on that thing. [The kinda of warm fuzzy memories that help to erase this sort of tragedy.]
It all happened the opposite corner to the grocery store that I had walked to early in the day. I’m lucky that I did not get hurt at all. Unlike the last 'encounter,' option D would not have been wise. In fact there were no other real options. I had nowhere to run. Roads in SA are, hectic, the drivers much worse. I didn't really have any choice in the matter.
Duh, Francis, you don't choose to get mugged at knife point!
M, is lucky in a sense. The two guys didn't touch him. He didn't get threatened. He gave up his phone when asked. And even gave up the loaf of bread that we bought. But they didn't take the bread. So obviously hunger was not a motivation. I obviously just looked like a target.
Oh well, that is life in Johannesburg. Back to work tomorrow. There will be no more great pictures. Happy Youth Day South Africa! Seems like things don't really change all that much. This makes me want to work harder at my internship. Hopefully, my educational workshops help to change this sad state. Hopefully, at least one of the kids that come through gets inspired enough to make a positive change.
Bed time tonight can't come soon enough.
Markham, Canada