Marianne was delighted “They are still here, please pass me the credit card!”. She was back 10 minutes later with a selection of stuffed toy key-rings. On the way back through Jo’burg airport just over 2 weeks later she stocked up on some more. They all had paws too. There are nine hanging up in the dining room and they include two zebra, a rhino and an elephant – with paws.
I have to admit I do admire giraffes. Real ones that is. They are such elegant and graceful animals and can look after themselves surprisingly well. They key ring giraffe that Marianne gave me is not my first. I still have George my paragliding companion and mascot. He’s well-traveled and has flown on three different continents with me.
I was flying in the Owens Valley in California in 2002 when I “fell out of the sky” after having a major collapse of my wing in turbulence. Fortunately we were very high and I had plenty of time to throw my reserve but suffered a torn chest muscle and landed in very rough terrain. Other pilots came to my aid and after over-nighting in the mountains we had to get a ride out on a Navy helicopter. You can read all about it in detail here, but the most important bit was that George was there throughout, stoic and dependable.
George was also with me in Annecy, France when I went paragliding there in May 2004. I was waiting my turn on a takeoff when another pilot said in very broken English “I like your passenger”. I must have looked a bit blank until he pointed to George looking out of my harness backpack.
I don’t paraglide anymore, not because I don’t want to but because I need help in taking off and there’s no one else around to assist. I do have a paramotor though and get airborne in it far too infrequently though George doesn’t come along.
I have called the key ring giraffe Georgina and she is attached to the bag I carry around with my wallet and other stuff I cannot handle in my pockets. Yes, she has paws.
Zimbabwe Absurdity 