Asleep and sound. Relaxed in my own mind and comfort, yet this shaking and jolting of my body is annoying. Opening up my eyes, seeing my brat sister made me loose that comfort. I was looking at her angrily saying,"Do you mind? I was perfectly relaxed listening to The Crystal Ship, and now you've ruined that for me!" Rolling her serpent like green eyes she replied,"We're here at the airport. We're meeting our guides here to help us not die in the jungle. Oh and by the way, we have to go by bus to get near the jungle and walk on the way there, so prepare yourself." She walked away with her friends, as I mocked my sister Debbie's voice saying,"Blah blah prepare yourself! You prepare yourself and your tiny butt, Miss Barbie doll." My legs felt week and wobbly after getting up and getting my stuff. I'm glad I'm not carrying Deb's bags of stuff! I saw her packing her things back in New York, and she had so much ridiculous things in her suitcases. Hair dryer, hair straightener, curling iron, alarm clock, and other stupid etc. How in the hell is she going to find any plug-ins and outlets? There isn't any electricity! I mean, you could use battery power for like a portable DVD player or something, but not for a hair dryer. I always wonder why she's the favorite and I'm not.
We got into the bus, as the guides walked in there. Two translators and three other men that couldn't speak English but they knew a thing or two about showing us around. They weren't staying for long. Debbie and her friends wanted to "rough it" out there in the jungle, so basically the guides are dropping us off at some place in the jungle. I feel like I'm at some odd safari slumber party, instead my friends aren't here to make dirty and funny jokes with me. I mean, I specifically told Roxy we were going, she got off work for vacation time, and as soon as she told my parents that she wanted to go, they said,"Oh no sweetie, there isn't enough room in the private jet because of Debbie's friends." Roxy and I were and still are pissed off at them because of that. Debbie brought Olivia, Hannah, Erica, Jessica, and Junie. That's five friends in all. How many do I have coming with me? None because my parents are jerks and I don't know why they choose Debbie over me. It's freakin' pathetic, that's why! She's 27yrs old, two years older than me and they treat her like she's a spoiled sixteen year old because she always acts like one. I don't. She still lives with Mom and Dad, but I have an apartment with Roxy with a job. I guess Deb wants to stay and kiss butt so she can have everything when Mom and Dad kick the bucket. Anyway, I got on the bus and turned on my Mp3. I finished going back into my mind, but since I don't turn my Mp3 up that loudly and I have headphones instead of ear plugs, I heard one of the guides say to everyone,"See the girl in the front closing her eyes and relaxing? Most of you need to do that. It is going to take two hours to get there, so rest up and save your energy. Also, your parents want us to stay with you girls for the first night only, but the for the rest of the trip, we will see you again when you need to depart and go back to the airport for home. Yet don't forget we will be near if you do need help. There is some cellphone service, but only use it for our help only. Do not call anyone else. We are saying this so you won't waste the battery or energy in your phones. There is no other electricity out here until further notice. Does anybody else understand?" We all shook our heads yes and agreed, as they started driving towards the jungle. I started to relax again and fell asleep.
I woke up as, we one at a time started to get off. I walked up to one of the translators and asked,"Um sir, where are the porta-potties at? Or some type of an outhouse?" "Oh ma'm, there isn't any. You have to go in the bushes or something. I'm sorry." "No, that's fine. I've used the toilet outside before, it's not a big deal for me." Debbie looked at us looking shocked and said,"We have to pee outside? Eww! I'm not an animal!" I looked at her and said,"Then go in your underwear, princess. You either pee outside, or ruin a pair of underpants. Your choice." She started groaning and said,"Fine! You win. Now hurry up! We have to get there before nightfall." I thanked the translator and got off of the bus, following the gang of Barbie dolls in front of me.
Going through the jungle with luggage is hard work! I may tease Debbie all the time about it, but now I know how it feels. I only have one suitcase and one sleeping bag and already my back and feet hurt. One of the guides that was in front of everyone came up on an old bridge and said something in Swahili. The translator looked at him and then looked at us translating him,"Please get into a straight line, everyone. The bridge is old, and may break. The fall can kill you, so please stay in a straight line crossing this bridge." I became nervous. Very nervous. I definitely don't wanna die surrounded by guides that I've never met, my sister and her friends all on an old rope and wooden bridge that looked like it was from a Rambo movie. We all walked slowly, as Deb was poking me in the back commanding,"Go faster! Go Lilith!" "I can't! We have to move slowly, or someone will die on here, and we don't want that to happen. So it's move slow or die." She stopped ordering me to move faster, as we all gently walked along the bridge. It was like the bridge in the first Shrek movie that Shrek and Donkey had to cross to get to Princess Fiona's tower. In the movie, it was so funny to see them try this, but in real life it's scary and we can't turn back. It's do this or die, like a real-life survivor game with more danger behind it. I walked gently, as both the translator and the guide grabbed my hands and helped me off once we hit the other side of the bridge. They helped each and everyone of the girls off of it. Walking on that thing is freaky, and I hope never to do that again!
Walking through the jungle isn't too bad. It's mostly being cautious and careful about running into dangerous creatures. The guides even had tranquilizers in case of an attack. I don't know who the other girls feel, but I feel safe being around these guides. I'll be a little sad when they leave because they have been so kind and great to us. They weren't bossy, they were kind, they knew what they were doing, and they made sure we were okay. They didn't complain once, and the translator and the guides have a great sense of humor! I can't speak Swahili at all, but the guides were crack jokes and the translator would crack up to the point of him not being able to translate. They were such great help to us, and the girls really never said thank you, or we appreciate you, or anything. I've really made sure that I showed them my full appreciation and gratitude. I don't want to be or look snobby like the rest of the girls. I mean, these men risked their time, their schedules,and their lives just to take us where we need to go. If that's not dedication to their work, I don't what is. Maybe the girls would be more appreciative if some sexy well toned guys showed them around or something. I didn't care. I just wanted to have a fun safe trip and I did. Once we got there, the girls just set their stuff down and started setting up right away. I didn't want to just yet. I walked up to the guide and the translator (only those two were staying, the other guys had to stay behind for an odd reason.) and hugged them. I told them right away,"Thank you guys so much for helping. I'm sorry that the other girls may not be thankful or anything, but you guys risked your time, your schedules, your lunch breaks, and your lives just to make sure that we were safe. That takes guts big time! I couldn't do that, I would be too scared to." "You're welcome. If there's anything you need, we won't be far off." I got out my wallet, as the translator looked at me and said,"No m'am, you don't have to do that." "I want to. You guys deserve it for being such a huge help. This is for anything that you guys need." I gave them a thousand dollars for their help. The money was for them and their hard work and dedication. They thanked me and helped us set up our camp. That was probably the best thousand dollars that I ever spent because they practically helped and are helping us survive and they had to deal with those girls all day. Debbie was looking at me and asked,"What were you doing?" "What do you mean?" "When you were talking to the translators." "Why?" "I was thanking them and paying them for their hard work. They deserved it." "How much did you pay?" "A thousand." "Are you insane?!" "No. I helped them and made sure that they know that at least out of all of us, one of us appreciates their hard work and dedication." "Yeah, but that doesn't mean you have to kiss butt." "I wasn't. Um, when was the last time that you made someone smile by giving them something important." She ignored and finished up our tent. I wish I bought my own tent, so I didn't have to share with a She-Devil. One of these days, one side of her hair is going to turn white, and the other side is going to turn black, and she'll start kidnapping dalmation puppies.
Night was here before anyone knew it, as we started a campfire. The translator and guide were leaving that night, so we were going to be alone. Erica yawned and said,"I'm bored. Can we tell ghost stories or something." Olivia punched her arm as Erica rubbed it yelling,"Ow! Why did you do that?" "I'm not listening to ghost stories at night while we're in the jungle. I won't be able to sleep tonight if you guys start telling them." Hannah looked all around and mentioned,"Let's tell funny stories about ourselves. For instance, Lilith do you and Roxy share funny moments with each other?" I looked at her and said,"Honey, we're not the Odd Couple and even though funny stuff happens, I'm not going to share it. Besides, it's not like an episode of Paris Hilton and Nichole Richie before it canceled." Jessica giggled as she said,"Aw, I miss that show! It was so cute!" There was a moment of awkwardness, until we just announced that we were all going to bed. I'm so glad to go to sleep. Walking through that jungle and that bridge wore and stressed me out. I poured water over the fire as I got my lantern out just in case, but the moonlight was so big and bright that I didn't need it. It gave off this blue around it, starting out a lighter starry night blue, descending into a darker light as it moved away from the moon. The sky was filled with stars that looked like diamonds, sparkling and shimmering in the night. I only saw this type of beauty in movies, but they were fake backgrounds. Yet this is real. So real. It's different seeing this in real life. In New York, the buildings and street lights block the stars and moon, so I never see anything like this. Seeing this in real life just takes my breath away.I crawled by into the tent, thinking how beautiful this place is at night.
The wild man looked up at the night sky, staring into the beautiful moon. He rested on a tree branch, as his wolf slept on the ground. He liked his life, yet he feels like something is missing. He sees the animals with other animals. The gorillas with the gorillas, the leopards with the leopards, the lions with the lions, and so on. No one looked like him. He didn't have fur, he didn't have the same body type as other animals. He stood out. He laid there wondering if there is someone out there that looks like him. Yet again, he didn't care most of the time. He just kept going and going about his business, but there are nights where he does lay there, staring into the sky wondering about why he looks so different. He rolled over on his stomach, and bended his right arm to lay his head on it. He drifted off to sleep, resting up for the next day.
We got into the bus, as the guides walked in there. Two translators and three other men that couldn't speak English but they knew a thing or two about showing us around. They weren't staying for long. Debbie and her friends wanted to "rough it" out there in the jungle, so basically the guides are dropping us off at some place in the jungle. I feel like I'm at some odd safari slumber party, instead my friends aren't here to make dirty and funny jokes with me. I mean, I specifically told Roxy we were going, she got off work for vacation time, and as soon as she told my parents that she wanted to go, they said,"Oh no sweetie, there isn't enough room in the private jet because of Debbie's friends." Roxy and I were and still are pissed off at them because of that. Debbie brought Olivia, Hannah, Erica, Jessica, and Junie. That's five friends in all. How many do I have coming with me? None because my parents are jerks and I don't know why they choose Debbie over me. It's freakin' pathetic, that's why! She's 27yrs old, two years older than me and they treat her like she's a spoiled sixteen year old because she always acts like one. I don't. She still lives with Mom and Dad, but I have an apartment with Roxy with a job. I guess Deb wants to stay and kiss butt so she can have everything when Mom and Dad kick the bucket. Anyway, I got on the bus and turned on my Mp3. I finished going back into my mind, but since I don't turn my Mp3 up that loudly and I have headphones instead of ear plugs, I heard one of the guides say to everyone,"See the girl in the front closing her eyes and relaxing? Most of you need to do that. It is going to take two hours to get there, so rest up and save your energy. Also, your parents want us to stay with you girls for the first night only, but the for the rest of the trip, we will see you again when you need to depart and go back to the airport for home. Yet don't forget we will be near if you do need help. There is some cellphone service, but only use it for our help only. Do not call anyone else. We are saying this so you won't waste the battery or energy in your phones. There is no other electricity out here until further notice. Does anybody else understand?" We all shook our heads yes and agreed, as they started driving towards the jungle. I started to relax again and fell asleep.
I woke up as, we one at a time started to get off. I walked up to one of the translators and asked,"Um sir, where are the porta-potties at? Or some type of an outhouse?" "Oh ma'm, there isn't any. You have to go in the bushes or something. I'm sorry." "No, that's fine. I've used the toilet outside before, it's not a big deal for me." Debbie looked at us looking shocked and said,"We have to pee outside? Eww! I'm not an animal!" I looked at her and said,"Then go in your underwear, princess. You either pee outside, or ruin a pair of underpants. Your choice." She started groaning and said,"Fine! You win. Now hurry up! We have to get there before nightfall." I thanked the translator and got off of the bus, following the gang of Barbie dolls in front of me.
Going through the jungle with luggage is hard work! I may tease Debbie all the time about it, but now I know how it feels. I only have one suitcase and one sleeping bag and already my back and feet hurt. One of the guides that was in front of everyone came up on an old bridge and said something in Swahili. The translator looked at him and then looked at us translating him,"Please get into a straight line, everyone. The bridge is old, and may break. The fall can kill you, so please stay in a straight line crossing this bridge." I became nervous. Very nervous. I definitely don't wanna die surrounded by guides that I've never met, my sister and her friends all on an old rope and wooden bridge that looked like it was from a Rambo movie. We all walked slowly, as Deb was poking me in the back commanding,"Go faster! Go Lilith!" "I can't! We have to move slowly, or someone will die on here, and we don't want that to happen. So it's move slow or die." She stopped ordering me to move faster, as we all gently walked along the bridge. It was like the bridge in the first Shrek movie that Shrek and Donkey had to cross to get to Princess Fiona's tower. In the movie, it was so funny to see them try this, but in real life it's scary and we can't turn back. It's do this or die, like a real-life survivor game with more danger behind it. I walked gently, as both the translator and the guide grabbed my hands and helped me off once we hit the other side of the bridge. They helped each and everyone of the girls off of it. Walking on that thing is freaky, and I hope never to do that again!
Walking through the jungle isn't too bad. It's mostly being cautious and careful about running into dangerous creatures. The guides even had tranquilizers in case of an attack. I don't know who the other girls feel, but I feel safe being around these guides. I'll be a little sad when they leave because they have been so kind and great to us. They weren't bossy, they were kind, they knew what they were doing, and they made sure we were okay. They didn't complain once, and the translator and the guides have a great sense of humor! I can't speak Swahili at all, but the guides were crack jokes and the translator would crack up to the point of him not being able to translate. They were such great help to us, and the girls really never said thank you, or we appreciate you, or anything. I've really made sure that I showed them my full appreciation and gratitude. I don't want to be or look snobby like the rest of the girls. I mean, these men risked their time, their schedules,and their lives just to take us where we need to go. If that's not dedication to their work, I don't what is. Maybe the girls would be more appreciative if some sexy well toned guys showed them around or something. I didn't care. I just wanted to have a fun safe trip and I did. Once we got there, the girls just set their stuff down and started setting up right away. I didn't want to just yet. I walked up to the guide and the translator (only those two were staying, the other guys had to stay behind for an odd reason.) and hugged them. I told them right away,"Thank you guys so much for helping. I'm sorry that the other girls may not be thankful or anything, but you guys risked your time, your schedules, your lunch breaks, and your lives just to make sure that we were safe. That takes guts big time! I couldn't do that, I would be too scared to." "You're welcome. If there's anything you need, we won't be far off." I got out my wallet, as the translator looked at me and said,"No m'am, you don't have to do that." "I want to. You guys deserve it for being such a huge help. This is for anything that you guys need." I gave them a thousand dollars for their help. The money was for them and their hard work and dedication. They thanked me and helped us set up our camp. That was probably the best thousand dollars that I ever spent because they practically helped and are helping us survive and they had to deal with those girls all day. Debbie was looking at me and asked,"What were you doing?" "What do you mean?" "When you were talking to the translators." "Why?" "I was thanking them and paying them for their hard work. They deserved it." "How much did you pay?" "A thousand." "Are you insane?!" "No. I helped them and made sure that they know that at least out of all of us, one of us appreciates their hard work and dedication." "Yeah, but that doesn't mean you have to kiss butt." "I wasn't. Um, when was the last time that you made someone smile by giving them something important." She ignored and finished up our tent. I wish I bought my own tent, so I didn't have to share with a She-Devil. One of these days, one side of her hair is going to turn white, and the other side is going to turn black, and she'll start kidnapping dalmation puppies.
Night was here before anyone knew it, as we started a campfire. The translator and guide were leaving that night, so we were going to be alone. Erica yawned and said,"I'm bored. Can we tell ghost stories or something." Olivia punched her arm as Erica rubbed it yelling,"Ow! Why did you do that?" "I'm not listening to ghost stories at night while we're in the jungle. I won't be able to sleep tonight if you guys start telling them." Hannah looked all around and mentioned,"Let's tell funny stories about ourselves. For instance, Lilith do you and Roxy share funny moments with each other?" I looked at her and said,"Honey, we're not the Odd Couple and even though funny stuff happens, I'm not going to share it. Besides, it's not like an episode of Paris Hilton and Nichole Richie before it canceled." Jessica giggled as she said,"Aw, I miss that show! It was so cute!" There was a moment of awkwardness, until we just announced that we were all going to bed. I'm so glad to go to sleep. Walking through that jungle and that bridge wore and stressed me out. I poured water over the fire as I got my lantern out just in case, but the moonlight was so big and bright that I didn't need it. It gave off this blue around it, starting out a lighter starry night blue, descending into a darker light as it moved away from the moon. The sky was filled with stars that looked like diamonds, sparkling and shimmering in the night. I only saw this type of beauty in movies, but they were fake backgrounds. Yet this is real. So real. It's different seeing this in real life. In New York, the buildings and street lights block the stars and moon, so I never see anything like this. Seeing this in real life just takes my breath away.I crawled by into the tent, thinking how beautiful this place is at night.
The wild man looked up at the night sky, staring into the beautiful moon. He rested on a tree branch, as his wolf slept on the ground. He liked his life, yet he feels like something is missing. He sees the animals with other animals. The gorillas with the gorillas, the leopards with the leopards, the lions with the lions, and so on. No one looked like him. He didn't have fur, he didn't have the same body type as other animals. He stood out. He laid there wondering if there is someone out there that looks like him. Yet again, he didn't care most of the time. He just kept going and going about his business, but there are nights where he does lay there, staring into the sky wondering about why he looks so different. He rolled over on his stomach, and bended his right arm to lay his head on it. He drifted off to sleep, resting up for the next day.
I sat alone.
No one came up to me, none asked if anything was wrong.
I sat alone.
In the corner, where everyone saw but no one noticed.
I sat alone.
I had no friends, I was not ‘cool’ enough for them.
I sat alone.
No one knew my mother had just died from cancer, no one cared.
I sat alone.
Surrounded by my thoughts, but no people. By my words, but no friends.
I sat alone.
Until a girl came and sat by me.
I sat with a girl.
She turned to me and smiled warmly, “Hello.”
I sat with a friend.
No one came up to me, none asked if anything was wrong.
I sat alone.
In the corner, where everyone saw but no one noticed.
I sat alone.
I had no friends, I was not ‘cool’ enough for them.
I sat alone.
No one knew my mother had just died from cancer, no one cared.
I sat alone.
Surrounded by my thoughts, but no people. By my words, but no friends.
I sat alone.
Until a girl came and sat by me.
I sat with a girl.
She turned to me and smiled warmly, “Hello.”
I sat with a friend.