hoosierdoc
Freed prisoner
So... Saturday night I went to a fundraiser for Happy Hollow camp. It's run by the parents of a good friend's husband. We went, had some wine/beer and bid on some of the silent auction items. Then dinner started and Abdul was the emcee (yes, I got a pic with him later). They started the live auction and I marveled at the people bidding up a butchered pig, half a cow, a toy box, botox party, and a few other things. Then it was time for the South African safari. My wife has always wanted to go to Africa and see an elephant. She has been fascinated with the things. She's turning 40 this year and our 15th anniversary is next year. I figure, why not.
The bidding starts and I say nothing for about a minute. Then I look at her and ask "should we do it? It's for the kids" since it's a fundraiser. She says sure. So I bid, then rebid, and bid again. Eventually it gets up to where I'm a bit uncomfortable with the price and tell the guy I'm out. This was real high-pressure auctioneering with a speech-impediment sounding caller and several spotters looking for bidders. When I told my wife we should stop she said fine. Then I said "I'll take you to jamaica instead". She replies with "do they have elephants in jamaica?" *sigh*. stand up, paddle up, "IT's FOR THE KIDS!" Hah. Eventually me and the one guy stopped, the auctioneer then said "good news, we have two, you both win!". I did not see that coming. Now my eyes are open. Fortunately we got outbid on all of the silent auction items, and I ate 1.5 desserts, so that helps defray the cost a bit.
Anyway, it was really exciting for a bit, then reality set in. We wanted to bring the kids but our oldest has a seizure disorder and a peanut allergy and that's a REALLY long flight into the middle of nowhere. So she was really upset wondering what to do. We finally decided to just go the two of us. Looks like we can get a flight that has a 10hr layover in Zurich or somewhere in Italy. Should be able to at least head out for lunch somewhere and a little sight seeing during the layover. Eventually will land in Johannesburg and then it's a 4.5hr drive to the lodges.
I am beyond excited. They have WiFi there so I should be able to post pics along the way. Assuming of course we do decide to go rather than just make it a donation. That's always possible given how quickly life can change. But for now I am stoked!
Going to rewatch the simpsons african trip episode now. brb
The bidding starts and I say nothing for about a minute. Then I look at her and ask "should we do it? It's for the kids" since it's a fundraiser. She says sure. So I bid, then rebid, and bid again. Eventually it gets up to where I'm a bit uncomfortable with the price and tell the guy I'm out. This was real high-pressure auctioneering with a speech-impediment sounding caller and several spotters looking for bidders. When I told my wife we should stop she said fine. Then I said "I'll take you to jamaica instead". She replies with "do they have elephants in jamaica?" *sigh*. stand up, paddle up, "IT's FOR THE KIDS!" Hah. Eventually me and the one guy stopped, the auctioneer then said "good news, we have two, you both win!". I did not see that coming. Now my eyes are open. Fortunately we got outbid on all of the silent auction items, and I ate 1.5 desserts, so that helps defray the cost a bit.
Anyway, it was really exciting for a bit, then reality set in. We wanted to bring the kids but our oldest has a seizure disorder and a peanut allergy and that's a REALLY long flight into the middle of nowhere. So she was really upset wondering what to do. We finally decided to just go the two of us. Looks like we can get a flight that has a 10hr layover in Zurich or somewhere in Italy. Should be able to at least head out for lunch somewhere and a little sight seeing during the layover. Eventually will land in Johannesburg and then it's a 4.5hr drive to the lodges.
I am beyond excited. They have WiFi there so I should be able to post pics along the way. Assuming of course we do decide to go rather than just make it a donation. That's always possible given how quickly life can change. But for now I am stoked!
Going to rewatch the simpsons african trip episode now. brb