Whenever I need to be put at ease, or need ample head space to think, I usually find a corner of the world that I can be alone with nature. This doesn't always mean that I am completely alone, because usually I find a bird, insect, or small mammal to observe but it brings solitude. Initially, I was unsure how I would like the safari. Would it be loud and chaotic, or a form of animal exhibition? Well, I was pleasantly surprised by how respectful and knowledgable our guide Adrian was about the bush and it's inhabitants.
When we were driving and slowing down for the turtles crossing the street, the rhinos checking us out, and the elephants that were protecting their own, I felt the awe of nature. It was magical and brought me in. It was a new experience that I was unsure about but was able to embrace. While I was sitting there, I just thought of others people that I would love to share these moments with, because I knew it would touch their hearts. During those moments I felt like a small child excited by how a bunny hops. The animals and the landscape were new and unfamiliar and I wanted to soak it all in.
However, I wasn't very good at spotting animals. Jamie, Dante, and Onikah definitely get the prizes for pin-pointing them. To me, it was like playing where's Waldo when driving.... Not easy.
When I got to the airport, I bought an African Geographic. I read the entire thing cover to cover on the plane ride from Johannesburg to London. It had some great articles on how conservation an be at odds with human development. I never realized that it was such a large issue, but as I was reading I questioned why I had never thought of it before. Africa has some of the most expansive natural compounds, but is working on developing the economy and infrastructure. How do you navigate the too? I'm hoping that I can incorporate more of an ecology minded focus in the social development work that I hope to do...
Wishing that I could post my pictures,
Crys
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