The Perfect Day

1/17/09

Seeking yet another adventure, fueled by a passionate desire to suck the marrow out of life, Nduks and I set out with a single backpack this afternoon, heading West. From his house we walked with the mountains at our backs, crossing the main road of Agincourt, and followed a foot path that snaked through the tall overgrowth of grasses. We picked up various bush fruits along the way, attempted to follow animal tracks, and searched for snakes to no avail. Not a moment of silence fell upon during our hike, as we were intensely engaged in conversation about school, life, culture, and history.


As we neared our destination, we heard the distant sound of running water. The further we advanced, the louder the roar became. At the apex of the rainy season, the river level is at its highest, as deep as five feet in some areas. Just two months ago, the river bed was dry and dusty with only patches of weeds growing through the cracked, hardened sand. Now, the river flourishes. Large granite rocks breach the surface, creating rapids and waterfall drop offs.


When the river was in frame, the conversation stopped. All thoughts ceased in my mind. Time began to stand still. Nduksi laughed as he plunged into the water to cross it. No words were necessary. The sound of his laughter spoke volumes. I ensued and the same emotion was conveyed by my high pitch giggling. With the bag on my head, the water quickly rose to my waist, and then the soft sand gave way under my feet, and I plunged deeper to my chest. We crossed and set up camp on the other bank, uttering only a few words, in admiration of the beauty that surrounded us.


Removing our clothing we raced to the water. Allowing the powerful current to take us, we drifted on our backs, looking up at the vast expanse of the clear, blue painted sky. The constant white noise of rushing water was accented by the rhythm of rustling reeds, and various pitches of insect chirping. As we floated further, I tried to fill my mind with a single thought. I was unable to contemplate about work or school or life back home. My efforts were futile. I could think of nothing else other than the world of beauty and serenity that surrounded us. Nduksi and I were reverted to our childhoods, splashing in the water, and calling to each other with wonder and amazement, “Oh come here, look at this!”

Our fascination turned quickly to fear when we approached the first combination of rapids that dropped off in a tier-like fashion. As we struggled to fight the current, we were forced further down the narrow opening between two large boulders. The mouth of the rapid sought to consume us. We strained our bodies and tensed our grips and were able to break the brute force imposed on us by the river. I extended my arm and reached for Nduksi. I pulled him to safety.

After a few moments, I boldly raised my arms in the air and re-entered the same mouth of the rapid, allowing the river to take me at its own will. At its mercy, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the rock bed beneath me was polished smooth after years of erosion during the wet season, and a fresh coat of algae provided a slippery surface. I cackled at the top of my lungs, as I descended down Nature’s slip and slide at an impressive speed.

 

For several hours we descended down the slide, climbed the slippery rocks, and rushed down again, submerged in bliss. The river washed away our worries, and cleansed our minds with pure thoughts of joy and happiness.

 

By three o’clock, we were no longer alone on the river. Fishermen flocked to a spot nearby and cast their makeshift tree limb lures into the turbulent waters. Neighborhood children as naked as the day they were born sought to cool off from the days searing temperatures in the cold waters of the river. Cattle herded to the water’s edge for a refreshing drink.

Nduksi and I returned to our camp and collected firewood to roast our fresh corn that we brought along with us. Unfortunately, the matches that we brought along with us, were dampened in our initial trek across the river and wouldn’t ignite. We asked each of the newcomers for a spare match, and much to our surprise, the Primary school children splashing in the river, although without a stitch of clothing on their bodies, they had had a box of matches next to the pile of torn fabrics on the river’s edge, perched safely on a rock. With the tree branches smoldering, the ashes emanated enough heat to roast the corn. We peeled the husks and set up enough corn to share with our new friends. We feasted on the sweet mealie, and then returned to the river. As we allowed the river to take us further, the fishermen stayed behind, using the flames to cook their fresh catch and to lit up a joint of dagga (marijuana) in a rolled up piece of newspaper. Further down from our camp we were washed up to another set of rapids.

Overconfidently I blazed the trail to find that the initial smooth decline plummeted to a collection of smaller stones with jagged faces pointed in several different directions. Fighting the undertow, I was pulled sharply against a large stone. Tangled in the current, I was spun around suddenly, and my back slammed against a hidden boulder beneath the surface. I winced in pain, and quickly wiped my face to serve up a look of excitement to the boys above who were eagerly prepared to ensue. I pointed out a path that would allow them to avoid the hazardous current at the base of the drop. I stood by to offer support reaching out and rescuing each that approached.


Still without a care in the world, we splashed. We played. We ran on the river’s edge and did backflips into the water. We timed ourselves to see how long we could hold our breath under water. Nduksi set a record of one minute and eight seconds.


Looking up at the sky, we saw the sun quickly setting. Its descent brought with it a cascade of magnificent colors, airbrushed across the sky. We packed our belongings, bid our farewells, left behind our water supply and dried maquaqua, and made our 2 km trek home.


With the river at our backs, thoughts returned to my mind. I reflected on the day’s events and immediately my mind was cluttered with ideas and questions. I left the present moment and returned to my flooded mental state, remembering the past, and thinking about the future.


The five hours we spent on the river, offered a moment of silence from all the noise that I create in my life. During that time, I was liberated and freed from the distractions, complications, and fears that make up my reality. Nduks and I were enraptured in the moment, absorbed in the beauty of life.