The African stopped his gesticulating with the
lethal looking implement and ceased his cries. He
looked at me with an expression of pure
amazement then turned and disappeared into the
jungle.
Shaking like a leaf I fixed my attention back onto
the track ahead and gingerly began a tentative
forward motion.
“What on earth am I doing here?” I asked myself.
Into Africa- With a Smile. Linda Bootherstone
2014
Preface
The air was hot and sticky, only to be expected in
this tropical climate. Thick vegetation each side of
the track prevented any view of the surrounding
countryside; it was like riding through a never-
ending tunnel of green. Hour upon hour I had been
battling the rocky, potholed surface that passed for
a road. For a little while I managed to pick up speed
to 25mph and then came to a halt surveying a
particularly rough patch through which to pick my
path.
The Route Through the
Dark Continent
A rustle came from the bushes and then, suddenly,
a dark figure rushed out into the open, running
towards me. The man was semi- naked with
flashing eyes and a mop of wiry African hair. He
approached waving a panga and screaming. I sat
frozen, astride my heavily-laden motorcycle. On
this particularly rough stretch I could not just open
the throttle and go. Heart beating wildly I sat,
awaiting my fate as the man came closer, gurgling
unintelligible words.
As calmly as I could I fixed a broad smile on my face
and thrust forward a gloved hand in a gesture of
friendship, “How do you do? My name is Linda. I’m
so pleased to meet you and it’s a lovely day isn’t
it?”
The African stopped his gesticulating with the
lethal looking implement and ceased his cries. He
looked at me with an expression of pure
amazement then turned and disappeared into the
jungle.
Shaking like a leaf I fixed my attention back onto
the track ahead and gingerly began a tentative
forward motion.
What on earth am I
doing here? I asked
myself.