Across the Universe...

30+ hours of flying definitely feels like I traveled that far, but alas it was only a mere ten thousand miles or so: Jo'Burg to Cape Town to Amsterdam to Wash. DC to Denver to Seattle...

HOME AT LAST!

My time in South Africa was formative in so many ways personally and professionally. In particular, I have grown a deep respect for the country and its people; who have demonstrated courage in post-Apartheid years, learning to forgive and to never underestimate the power of one person in making a difference.  The poem Invictus (by William Ernest) was an inspiration to Nelson Mandela, and I have been impressed by the selection of words as I continually try to comprehend his legacy:

 Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my inconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.

Powerful words - powerful leader - and the power of one! 
[Note: "The Power of One" is also a great movie about South Africa during Apartheid years]

Hakuna Matata

Yes, I'm quoting the Lion King: "Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase, Hakuna Matata! Ain't no passing craze. It means no worries for the rest of your days, It's our problem-free philosophy...Hakuna Matata!"

In any case, that's how Shanley and I spent our last days in South Africa... problem-free on safari. From Jo'Burg we flew into Hoedspruit, which boarders Kruger National Park. We booked the safari with a group called Africa on Foot, which interested us because it offered bush walks as well as game drives. Our four day experience was incredible: the serenity of the bush, awe-inspiring animals, African sunsets, and clear night skies exposing a galaxy of stars (and the Milky Way)!

Our daily schedule was something like this:
05h30 - wake up
06h00 - coffee/tea and rusks (biscuts)
06h30 - bush walk for 2 to 3 hours
10h00 - breakfast
LEISURE TIME
14h30 - lunch
15h00 - game drive for 3+ hours
19h00 - dinner
CAMPFIRE
22h00 - lights out (literally... the camp utilized a generator for only a couple hours each evening).

The bush walks were guided by Rangers from our camp, who were equipt with vast knowledge about African wildlife (AND rifles). The bush walks are intended mostly to explore smaller wildlife and to be able to do animal tracking on foot. On the flip side, the game drives are conducted in an open top Land Rover and are scheduled for the time of day where the afternoon progresses to dusk and then to night, whereby allowing us to experience the nocturnal life of the bush. The Land Rover also allowed us to do some off roading, trail blazing through the bush in careful pursuit of game animals.

Although we were only able to sight three of the "Big Five" animals: Elephants, Rhino, and Lions, we had numerous other encounters with wildlife including a unique showing of hippo. Several times I was literally stopped in my tracks, humbled by the magnitude of the African bush and wildlife.

Me & the Land Rover

Our humble abode with Africa on Foot

(Shanley and I shared this little round hut, which did include our own bathroom)

Elephants

(There were about two dozen or more elephants in the herd we encountered)