"Going Native," part 7

Weeks passed.  There was still no sign of any rescuers or search party coming to find Maggie.  She knew better than to ask the Tineri for help in returning to the opulent lifestyle she had known.  

"Going Native," part 6

M’li announced the group’s return with several loud cries as they approached the village.  Maggie trailed slightly behind.  She wasn't used to walking barefoot anywhere outdoors besides a beach, and she had nicked her foot on some sharp rocks and small roots on the trip back to camp.  By the time she arrived, what seemed like the entire tribe was there to greet her.

"Going Native," part 5

The next morning, Maggie knew she had to find water.  She figured she could just watch the Tineri and see where they got theirs.  After making her way back to their camp, she watched for a while before some of the women left carrying jugs and basins.  They were clearly headed to the water supply, and Maggie would be close behind.

"Going Native," part 4

She arrived shortly after dusk.  In her approach to the camp, she could hear a steady drumbeat and wild, bestial screams.  Maggie couldn’t tell if someone was fucking or getting killed - or even if humans were involved at all - but, lacking any other options, she pressed on toward the noise.  

"Going Native," part 3

Maggie opened her eyes.  Her vision was blurry at first, but after several blinks, everything snapped into focus.  She was on some straw in a small shed or something.  Looking more closely at the walls, she could see that they were textured.  Did this shed have stucco walls?  No, looking even closer, Maggie saw that the walls were made of dirt and straw.  She was in one of those huts she had passed earlier.  

"Going Native," part 2

The following morning, Maggie awoke, hung-over.  She flipped in bed and saw Juliana, already awake.  Next to her was Abassi.

"Going Native," part 1

Maggie had never been more excited.  She was going on a safari!  As she and her best friend Juliana drove to the airport, Maggie made a mental checklist of all the things she wanted to see in Africa:  Victoria Falls, giraffes, lions, rhinos.  Those termite mounds that were taller than a person.  Parrots!  Chimps!  A three toed sloth - the slowest mammal in the world!  The list of interesting nature Africa boasts was practically endless, Maggie thought.  The people who lived there probably had no idea how beautiful their land was.