Africa is HOME.
Her people and animals
Refresh heart and soul
Physically, though, now that I’m 83, (and I may be feeling this because my arm was (and still is) so sore, I’m feeling the difficulty…getting on hands and knees to crawl into my friend Buno’s hut…her family home.
Trying to climb the high riverbanks to reach my other family’s “compound” has become increasingly difficult and I always need someone supporting both arms to reach the top (as well as to return back down to the boat that takes us to Walla and Dido’s family and extended family. This seems like a lot of complaining, but this is the first time EVER that I’ve felt that my time visiting with these people who have been so dear to me for sooooo many years, is winding down. I don’t know if Michelle will continues to visit from time to time once I stop…that’ll be her decision. I’m hoping that perhaps she and Lilly will go and a new generation will be introduced…My heart is heavy as Buno, Walla and Dido and their families have been part of my life for more than two decades…I knew them before most of the kids were born and have loved watching them grow, mature and change in so many ways. Each of my families even have an Abby of their own now!
Michelle, Steve and I explored Zambia for the first time this trip. It’s always a surprise and a gift to experience the majesty of these iconic animals in their own natural habitats. Even rising with the sun at 5:30 each morning was a treat…and to look out of our window ”tent” and see (and hear) hippos in the river or lazing on the river banks, having a Mom and baby baboon visit with us at our little plunge pool, seeing the warthogs grazing just a few feet away from our “home away from home”…it was all magical.
Well, we’ll see what the future holds. I will continue to travel to my favorite place on earth and drink in as much of the culture and wild life throughout the huge and varied continent until I am no longer able to do so. A huge thank you to Steve Turner and OriginSafaris for wisking me away to all the mysterious, magical, fascinating places we’ve visited together and with Jayne through the 20+ years of friendship. It will continue as the torch passes to Richard and Rebecca…and a new chapter begins…