Building a Bridge in the Wild

Today we had to prepare a trailer and fill it up with cement, shovels and buckets. Normally the volunteers are separated in 2 different activities. The volunteer program had 3 cars available, each taking 10 volunteers at a time. But today all volunteers were heading the same way.

Due to the rains from the last week, one of the small bridges of the reserve fell. Now, when I say bridge I don’t mean a big bridge, it is a tiny bridge over a little stream. But big enough to be the only way to cross to that part of the reserve, so it was essential to repair it.

We drove for about an hour and a half until we finally arrived at the spot. We started to look around to make sure no animals were around. The lions were around this area 3 days ago, so we had to be careful.

We started to unload the trailer while the instructors were looking at the bridge wondering how to do it. It was a big hole so we would be spending the whole day working on it. After unpacking everything, we would need a plan.

First, we created two cement-creating areas. Since we didn’t have any machinery we would need “human power” to mix all the ingredients. We carried half the buckets and shovels across the bridge. Also, half the cement bags were taken across the bridge.

I noticed that there were some confused eyes, so I decided to ask what was wrong.

– We don’t have enough sand for the bridge – C said.

– Now we must drive to find a place with sand – Kon said.

– Why don’t we take the sand from the river? – I asked.

They all looked around confused. T tried to show that my idea wasn’t the greatest but soon his idea of driving half an hour for sand was disregarded.

– Ok, João is right! – Kon started – we are going to do a line of people so the sand can go from the river to the cement areas.

T wasn’t very impressed. As a big English rugby player, he wasn’t used to not have it his way. Later when I started to play rugby, I would start to realise that I was right about T’s temperament.

The “factory” was open. We looked like a well-oiled machine. 10 people creating the cement, another 10 created the chain of supply of sand, and the other 10 would put the cement on the bridge. Every 20 minutes or so, we would change spots. Creating cement is very demanding for your back and arms.

The “Factory” making cement

We were working for 2 hours now and I was working on the chain of supply of sand. As I’m walking to cross the bridge to deliver sand to the other group, I see behind the tree a big grey round shape. It took me longer than I like to admit to realise that grey thing was an ear of an elephant, a big elephant in fact.

– Ohhh look, an elephant – I said with a very calm voice – SH$T! An elephant! – I said now realising the situation.

– EVERYBODY RUN! – C said – GO TO THE CARS! – she screamed louder and more panicked!

– Not again – I said to myself.

I see everyone from the other side of the bridge dropping everything and sprinting to the cars. I turned around, shovel in my hands, and started to walk a little bit faster.

– Forget about the shovels! Just run! – C continued rushing everyone to the cars.

I wasn’t going to drop my shovel full of sand to the ground! I decided to drop the shovel very gently on the floor near the cement station. At least I would finish the delivery. Now the way we parked, our car was the first one on the road. When I reached the car, the car that normally contains 11 people, was holding now 16 people. While climbing to the car, at a calm pace, I could see other volunteers jumping, not kidding, jumping over the doors to get inside the car.

After all this panicked reaction, I looked to where I last saw the ears to see if it was still there. Yap. Still there. In the exact same spot. After 5 minutes of staring, the elephant finally decided to walk out of his hiding spot to have a look at our bridge. He walks first to our cement spot on the other side of the bridge. That was a new smell for him, so he was very curious. He decided to help us with the mixture and took a big poop right on our fresh cement.

The elephant coming to check if everyone in the car is OK

– Thanks – one of the volunteers said.

He then decided to walk across the bridge, probably to test how the process is going. He stops close again to the other cement station, but this time he didn’t poop on it. He continued walking the road, passing through the cars. The look he gave us was the funniest thing ever. It was like he was saying:

– If I wanted to attack, you wouldn’t have time to run! Why did you run? I was just checking your fine work!

After he continued walking away very gracefully. Also very slowly. We waited a while before going back to work. When everyone returned to their places, I dropped the sand at the cement station. My shovel survived the encounter. I went to C to ask about the golden rule of not running.

– Yeah but no. People were in danger – she said.

– Hum… ok – I replied and continued my work.

I believe that no one was in danger. The elephant’s body language showed no sign of aggression or anger. But better safe than sorry.