In the spring of 1993 I was divorced, self-supporting and living alone. A Pastor from my former church had previously taken members of the congregation on a tour of Kenya which appealed to me greatly. I was working at that time to help out with the expenses of my children’s college education and was disappointed not to be able to join the group. Then in 1993 I received a letter from the Pastor inviting me to travel on a “Journey Into Africa” in January 1994. This time I had vacation days available and a small nest egg ear-marked for my old age. I decided that I would rather spend money now to see the wonders of Kenya than spend it on a retirement home in the distant future. I said “Yes”!
It had been twenty years since I last traveled out of the United States and I couldn’t wait to get started on a new adventure. The Pastor’s letter promised we would see:
– The river of crocodiles at your doorstep in Samburu National Reserve
– The elephant families watering below your balcony at midnight at Treetops
– Lion gazing over the vast reaches of the Serengeti in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve
– The snows of Kilimanjaro in the distance of Amboseli NationaL Park
– Hippos wallowing in the mud at Manyara
We saw them all – and much more.
It has now been twenty years since I traveled to Kenya. I have not forgotten those two weeks Kenya inhabited my soul. Kenya and its people, animals and night skies are permanently etched in my senses. The land of Africa is filled with spirit. I am very sure of that.
poetrybyheart.me 
Africa is a country that I feel very pulled to and I believe I will go there someday. Since I spend time in India with Amma and my adult children every year, that has been, and continues to be, my priority. But Africa is still calling me!
I hope you do. Your travels to India must be enriching for you.
Wow! I love “it all began with yes.”
Wonderful! And thanks. That was another time I decided to live larger.
I’m glad you used your nest egg for such a wonderful experience 🙂
Thanks. It was worth every penny. 🙂
”The land of Africa is filled with spirit” – it is the motherland… and happy you got to experience it 🙂
Lovely comment. Thanks.