Friday, August 27, 2010

Friday, August 27, 2010

no hippos

Posted by Hippobean at 11:59 PM
There were no hippos but I already knew that. And there were no elephants because, they said, they were hard to keep. But what's a safari without hippos and elephants? And no lions or tigers either. "We have no man eating animals", the safari guide said. Great. But there is 1 female cheetah whom we saw chasing a bird, and 2 males cheetahs kept separately! She didnt like either one, we were told. We were at the Safari West by Santa Rosa for this year's company's offsite. It was a long day of a long ride up to Marine County for a sandwich lunch (again, we had sandwich for lunch the day before at the company's meeting). We did our team building events - weird games like holding up a pole with our fingers and lowering it, but it just kept moving up, even though none of us was trying to raise it, and making a silhouette of a giraffe with a long rope, blind folded. It was a massive confusion with no team cohesion. I could barely hear what's going on, let alone try to be part of the team. Then we ascended our jeeps for the safari tour. Everyone tried to get on the top seat for the best view. I've decided against it because of the heat and the sun. So started the opening and closing of gates, up and down the hill. The CA weather is too dry to be a safari. We saw impalas (by far my favorite animals in that place) and wildebeests but they were too far for any decent pictures. Too bad, I rather like impalas. Wildebeests I couldnt care less. When the Cape buffalos came, they crossed in front of our jeep, and the wildebeests receded their territory. Not unlike humans. When big power came, the weaker ones go. Then there were zebras. Nice stripes but only b&w. Was told they were very bad tempered animals. But today they looked tamed. The rhinos set dating with their butts towards us. A towering giraffe crossed in front of our jeep and I wished I had the top seat. I've noticed they were very elegant animals. Walked slowly and chewed politely. The birds cage was colorful but not too impressive but then the Hippo was never a 'bird' watching person. Monkeys I hate. Antelopes everywhere. Finally a chicken and steak BBQ with a quite good CA petite syrah to finish off the day. I was rather looking foward to this offsite since I've never been to a safari before. The Hippo is not really an animal lover. Only hippos, moose, manatees and leopards, and none of them belongs in a safari. Company's offsites were never really good but a day away from the office was a good opportunity to relax. This year's employee's gift was a picnic bag furnished with steel utensils, plastic plates and cups, cloth napkins and a picnic blanket with one side waterproof. Another generous gesture from the company. Gosh, I love working at AD.

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