Home, Recovered, and ....

I am now home and recovered from my adventure.  I would add “ ...of a lifetime!”, but I’m selfish enough to want more....more travel, more experiences, more adventures!  People ask what was my favorite, and my answer is spending time with Michael especially in Oman and all the close-up animal encounters in Africa.  

What do I miss?  

Seeing the African sky at night in the bush with stars blazing and the Milky Way in a brush stroke across the middle.  Learning about the Southern Cross and how different the Southern Hemisphere sky is from the northern which only confirms we are a minute moment in time and space.

Seeing God’s creation whether it was the animals in their beauty and originality in Africa or landscapes carved by nature like Victoria Falls or inspired and built by man in Dubai.

Listening to the nighttime soundscape in the bush...hyenas, baboons, insects, and wondering what was just outside your door.  

Incredible sunsets to end the day!  

Hugging my son!

What do I not miss?

Packing and unpacking!  We were in 10 hotels and 10 flights over 4 1/2 weeks.  Only 1 was a 1 night stay, 3 were 2 nights and the rest were longer.  Amazingly, all luggage arrived with our flights which was a blessing.

Wearing the security bag around my neck and under my shirt.  I called it my 3rd boob!  Yes, in lots of pictures that is my bag and not my stomach pooching!

Trying to control my coughing fits during the night, and Robyn and I keeping each other awake with coughs, snorts, and snoring.  She was such a good sport, and I hope I was also.  It is never pleasant being sick but much worse on vacation.  You want to feel your best so you can enjoy what you’ve spent all this money on!

Wearing beige shirts!  I have become a fan of khaki pants, but my Goodwill beige shirts for the bush will be regulated to a back closet corner until my next African safari.

Watching water usage when I shower!

What did I learn?  

That cultures and religions are more similar than different and that we can and should learn from each other.  When you consider all the conflicts in the world, you have to wonder, “People, what is the problem here!”

That I am a country mouse at heart.  Cities are interesting to visit and have a lot to offer but nature and quiet and natural beauty makes my heart sing!

What advice can I share?

Remember that the best travel accoutrements are a sense of wonder and a gift of humor along with a healthy dose of prayer!

Pack light!  Luggage gains weight faster than you do on vacation even if you are not filling it with souvenirs.

Take the best camera with the highest zoom you can afford and learn to use it before your trip.

Listen more than you talk!  You will learn so much, and really, is your life that interesting anyway?

Unplug!  I thoroughly enjoyed days in the bush without wireless and phone reception.  You need to look up and out to see the world not down!

Hope you have enjoyed the blog and “traveling “ with me.  Thanks for your companionship!