Home in Africa

Anderson Cooper interviewed President Obama in Africa as Obama visited Ghana. Anderson asked the President why African-Americans who visited Africa felt like they were home and wanted to return again and again. Mr. Obama said that it wasn't just African-Americans who visited Africa that felt that way and he was so right. I'm as white as they come and yet I remember the very first time I touched African soil I was moved from deep inside of me as if I had just returned to my long lost homeland about to visit ancestors from twenty generations ago. It is still the feeling I get today when I am standing firmly on her ground. I breath in a deep life giving breath then exhale all of the stresses of life and I leave them behind right there on the tarmac as I embark on yet another African journey.

The feeling continues to overcome me as the first few days unfold. Last year I arrived in Johannesburg too late to catch my final flight to Nelspruit. After a night at a bed and breakfast back at the Jo'berg airport I met up with one of my favorite guides from previous trips for coffee then caught my final flight. I rented a car in Nelspruit and embarked on the short drive; less than an hour to Kruger. Surprising, even to me, driving on the wrong side of the car and road seems to come natural right away. My only issue is remembering which side of the car to actually get into.

The drive takes me east on the N4 which winds through lush farm land. Hundreds of locals walk the side of the street on paths made for pedestrian traffic which is much more prevalent than anywhere in the States. There are picnic spots along the way just off the road; wooden picnic tables sit under big beautiful old shade trees. The tables are usually full of people enjoying a snack or a meal. (In the States we don't bother to pull over, we eat and drive. What is our big hurry?) It is as if every one in Africa uses a different, slower clock than we do. They call it being on African time. After twenty minutes or so the land becomes rocky and hilly then mountainous; the scenery majestic and breath taking. The sign points left for Kruger. On that short stretch of road street vendors are set up on tables with carvings and fruits for sale trying to attract the tourist before they enter the park. I stock up. The fruits on these stands have come straight from the local farms and are some of the best I have tasted.

At the Malelane gate to Kruger Park I get out of my car and enter the reception area of the gate to check in. Only a certain number of people can enter the park daily so you need a reservation at one of the many camps within the park. They do let day visitors in but if the park is full there are no guarantees you will get in. Once I am set and receive my paperwork to enter the park I get back to my car and rearrange my personal items. I get my camera, lenses and binoculars out and get ready for what faces me ahead.

Very soon after I enter, the guard waving me ahead, I come upon two elephants - young males - wrestling each other with their trunks. I stop and watch them for a long time. As I sit, tears flow down my cheek. I don't fully understand it myself but it happens every time I am in front of my first wildlife sighting or at my first amazing African scenery. It is as if Africa needs to break me down before she can show me just how tremendous life can be during my stay. And she does just that; show me life's truly amazing traits. There are nights I am with no lights, no book, no TV, no Internet or computer and no Ipod in my ears with only the sounds of Africa. I sit and listen and look up at the brilliant star studded night so clear you can see satellites orbit the earth. Tears freely flow down my cheeks.

I have heard it said that when you are where no one knows you, you are the truest version of yourself. I certainly am the truest version of me when I am in Africa. I'm the best version of me when I am in Africa and I like that version of me so much. That's why I go back time and time again.