Not Him

It looks like the last time I posted this it got lost in cyber space, so here it goes again. This one's a bit out of order, but worth telling. During our safari adventure our guide told us some staggering facts about hippos. The river we were on was brackish, and is the only place on the planet that Bull sharks, crocs and hippos all live. He said you could swim there, but it would only be once and it would not be for long. This could be the most dangerous place on earth! He told us that their massive mouths open 150 degrees, they kill close to 3000 people a year, almost twice as many as lions, and they can run up to 55 km's per hour. Can you imagine a 2500 lb. beast chasing you at that speed!? He said if you ever startle a hippo, corner a hippo, or get in between a hippo and the water you don't have a chance. No chance. That night once we had returned from the safari we were walking from our hotel into town for dinner and one walked right in front of us. A hippo. It was terrifying. I have never been that close to any living thing that big or that dangerous before (obviously!). It was the size of a car. It came plodding out of the shadows about 20 yards in front of us, crossed the Main Street and disappeared up a side road. We stood frozen in fear. Waiting to hear screams of horror, or car horns, or something. Nothing. Not knowing what else to do, we carried on downtown for dinner.
I had pasta.
 Our guide had told us that one or two of them come in to town from time to time and that they eat from some of the gardens. Apparently they are used to the humans and the humans are used to them. We were told if you see one just keep your distance and you'll be fine. But I never thought I would ever actually see one.  My favourite part of the story was the next morning when I told the woman working at the hotel about it. Our conversation went like this; 
Me: I saw a hippo in town last night.
Her: Yah (as in Yah, so what?).
 Me: I was terrified.
 Her: (giggling) Why?
 Me: They are massive and they kill people.
 Her: Not him.