Buddha are stored and then I spent hours contemplating the tree of life wall of the Wat Xieng Thong. I’m in love with that temple, but I can’t figure out why I like it so much. It’s like a fascination, and I keep going back to it.
However, what I enjoy the most is walking along the Mekong, or the Nam Khan. I pack water, food, a first aid kit and take long strolls alone by the banks. Wag-dog goes with me a bit of the way, but he never gets too far from the camp, so I’m alone most of the time.
Today, I’m trying a new route, when I hear a strange noise that I can’t identify. I pass a large boulder, and walk out on a water buffalo and a clouded leopard.
The buffalo is making a valiant show of courage, but it’s tied to a tree. Its liberty of movement is hindered; he does not have a chance to run away, or fight against this magnificent predator. They both freeze as I stumble upon them. The giant cat hisses at me, and slowly shifts its body in my direction.
Crap, my knowledge on leopards is non-existent but I know cats and it’s clear from this beast’s body language that it just decided that I’m easier prey than the buffalo.
Think Jade, think! I’m sure not going to outrun it, and I can’t climb a tree to save my life.
Flight is out, so the only thing left is fight.
Right, I’m certifiable. How could I engage a big feline with my bare hands?
I force myself to breathe.
Well, I’m not totally bare-handed. I have a backpack with a thermos and a first aid kit. I also hold a very pointy walking stick.
The leopard crouches, and I can see its shoulder blades rolling under the skin. My mother’s cat did that when it was about to jump on a mouse. Today, I’m the mouse.
My only chance is to scare the crap out of the animal before I’m turned into lunch. My heart is beating so loudly, it’s almost as if I have a frightened bird trying to fly out from my ribcage.
Before I overthink, I act. I growl, throw my backpack in the cat’s direction with all the force I can muster, and lounge forward prepared to use the stick as a spearhead.
The backpack lands on the hind leg of the leopard. It yelps, looks at the tip of my stick, which is getting dangerously close to its face, and it runs.
I breathe out. I can’t believe it! I just chased a leopard away!
Just as I’m about to relax I’m startled by a shrieking sound coming from above. I look up the coconut tree to which the buffalo is tied: there’s a kid up there and he’s screaming because he’s terrified.
I try to hush him, and then I laugh at the absurdity of the situation. I’ve got red hair. I’m a demon, a very powerful demon. Hey, come on, I just chased a leopard away! There’s no way that the kid is getting down from the tree as long as I’m around.
So, instead of trying to reassure him, I approach the exotic cow. It’s got a bite on its flank, but it does not look deep. It’ll be fine if it doesn’t get infected.
I open my backpack. My thermos bottle is shattered to pieces, and everything but my first aid kit, which is sealed in plastic, is soaked. I talk softly to the large animal, and open the little plastic bottle of disinfectant. It’s going to sting a bit. I look up to the kid. If only he could come down and help with the animal, it would make my job easier. It’s worth a try, so I motion for him to come down.
Nope, it’s not going to happen. He’s petrified. The only thing he’s able to do right now is hold onto the trunk of the tree, and watch me do my handy work. I dab the alcohol where I see teeth marks. It would be easier if I could shave off the fur to bare the skin but it’s all I can do. I wish I had something to cover the wound; I hope it heals before too many insects discover such a perfect place to lay their eggs. But I can’t do anything about that.
I pet the cow, and say “I’ll be back tomorrow to check on you baby.” I wave goodbye to the boy.
It takes me forever to
However, what I enjoy the most is walking along the Mekong, or the Nam Khan. I pack water, food, a first aid kit and take long strolls alone by the banks. Wag-dog goes with me a bit of the way, but he never gets too far from the camp, so I’m alone most of the time.
Today, I’m trying a new route, when I hear a strange noise that I can’t identify. I pass a large boulder, and walk out on a water buffalo and a clouded leopard.
The buffalo is making a valiant show of courage, but it’s tied to a tree. Its liberty of movement is hindered; he does not have a chance to run away, or fight against this magnificent predator. They both freeze as I stumble upon them. The giant cat hisses at me, and slowly shifts its body in my direction.
Crap, my knowledge on leopards is non-existent but I know cats and it’s clear from this beast’s body language that it just decided that I’m easier prey than the buffalo.
Think Jade, think! I’m sure not going to outrun it, and I can’t climb a tree to save my life.
Flight is out, so the only thing left is fight.
Right, I’m certifiable. How could I engage a big feline with my bare hands?
I force myself to breathe.
Well, I’m not totally bare-handed. I have a backpack with a thermos and a first aid kit. I also hold a very pointy walking stick.
The leopard crouches, and I can see its shoulder blades rolling under the skin. My mother’s cat did that when it was about to jump on a mouse. Today, I’m the mouse.
My only chance is to scare the crap out of the animal before I’m turned into lunch. My heart is beating so loudly, it’s almost as if I have a frightened bird trying to fly out from my ribcage.
Before I overthink, I act. I growl, throw my backpack in the cat’s direction with all the force I can muster, and lounge forward prepared to use the stick as a spearhead.
The backpack lands on the hind leg of the leopard. It yelps, looks at the tip of my stick, which is getting dangerously close to its face, and it runs.
I breathe out. I can’t believe it! I just chased a leopard away!
Just as I’m about to relax I’m startled by a shrieking sound coming from above. I look up the coconut tree to which the buffalo is tied: there’s a kid up there and he’s screaming because he’s terrified.
I try to hush him, and then I laugh at the absurdity of the situation. I’ve got red hair. I’m a demon, a very powerful demon. Hey, come on, I just chased a leopard away! There’s no way that the kid is getting down from the tree as long as I’m around.
So, instead of trying to reassure him, I approach the exotic cow. It’s got a bite on its flank, but it does not look deep. It’ll be fine if it doesn’t get infected.
I open my backpack. My thermos bottle is shattered to pieces, and everything but my first aid kit, which is sealed in plastic, is soaked. I talk softly to the large animal, and open the little plastic bottle of disinfectant. It’s going to sting a bit. I look up to the kid. If only he could come down and help with the animal, it would make my job easier. It’s worth a try, so I motion for him to come down.
Nope, it’s not going to happen. He’s petrified. The only thing he’s able to do right now is hold onto the trunk of the tree, and watch me do my handy work. I dab the alcohol where I see teeth marks. It would be easier if I could shave off the fur to bare the skin but it’s all I can do. I wish I had something to cover the wound; I hope it heals before too many insects discover such a perfect place to lay their eggs. But I can’t do anything about that.
I pet the cow, and say “I’ll be back tomorrow to check on you baby.” I wave goodbye to the boy.
It takes me forever to
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