"Oh when the Reds..." is the war cry that sounded as the Red team - my red team - marched in for our last challenge of survivor during week 2 of training. If you had asked any student 4 days earlier what their take was on training, or Global Challenge for that matter, that theory would most probably have imploded, and rightly so. Survivor came as a shock to us all, having all the tests required for inconvenient circumstances.
A box of matches, a knife and one sleeping bag - the 3 luxury items permissible, that we as the Red team decided on. Little did we know what we were about to encounter and for how long. However, by the looks of the density of bush surrounding us and the seriousness on the faces of the general and his crew, the experience ahead could be nothing less than exciting.
What made survivor was the battle against the other 4 teams for food! Win the challenge, win the biggest and best portion of food. For 3 days the battle raged and the Reds seldom failed to perform, never placing lower than 3rd. Having lost crucial soldiers in 'capture the flag' early in the game, the stealth of the remainder Reds shone through as we tied for first! Then came the 'endurance challenge' - what a breeze. After much bribing, Reds strategically gave in and sold out 2 of its participants, 1 for a can of condensed milk and the other for a potato. Priceless. Later that same day, we hit our first and final 5th place in the 'shelter challenge'. This came as shocking news considering all the blood, sweat and tears we put into building it and sleeping under it. Nonetheless, it didn't prove all too costly. We simply had no say as to what ox organ we were to eat as we drooled upon the mighty 'food challenge' that lay before us. All glory to the Orange team who for 2 days had hardly eaten, and so unsurprisingly wiped us all out in record time. From chillies, garlic and onions; to sour milk, dog food and a PEANUT CHOC BAR, the dreaded organ was all that was left. The Reds swallowed hard our large intestine/colon to take 3rd.
Let me clarify that inasmuch as Reds did prove ourselves the more elite team of 7, it was never about winning. ;) Some of the greatest moments were those shared around the fire, debating what we as Red would eat once survivor was over. At the same time, we generously feasted on our pet chicken 'Zinger', whom we had to look after for 2 days. Considering the hunger levels we were experiencing, you can imagine how swift that slaughter was.
The items we chose proved themselves worthy of luxury as they brought us hope in the form of heat throughout our time in the bush. We also managed to win an extra sleeping bag in one of the challenges, much to the delight of the ladies in our team.
And finally, some 3 weeks after Survivor had finished, the Reds went out for the 'Roosterkoek' and ice cream we so fantasized over around the campfire. Well worth the wait. Long live the Reds!