I was warned that after the wedding bells tolled, I would be left a bit forlorn. That there would be this feeling of "Wedding Blues." That this would be a time where I would want to fill that void with a bundle of joy. I was warned that I would be rushing from the alter to a fertility specialist.
Let's insert Africa here.
AFRICA.
So, I thought about the whole having a baby thing. And yes, the hubs and I are both wanting a family. But.....I need to fulfill a travel void first. Before I begin to plump up and waddle, in expectant joy, I want to take a trip. Not just any trip, but a trip I would not do with a belly full of baby or with small children.
Some people want to go to France or Italy, maybe Spain, New Zealand or Australia. I've had my Facebook feed flooded with vacation photos from Bali, Thailand and tropical islands. And, yes, these places are fantastic! But I could totally swing any of them with a family in tow.
I'm not so sure I'd be so keen to let my little ones traverse through malaria riddled lands full of predators. But for ME, that sounds AWESOME!!!.
I've decided I want to head to Africa for Christmas vacation with the husband. We've decided. WE. I honestly didn't have to twist Jesse's arm too hard to get him to be on board with the trip.
I've always loved the idea of Africa and the wildness of the land. After watching "Long Way Down," (a television series documenting a motorcycle journey undertaken by Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman, on which they rode south through 18 countries from John o' Groats in Scotland to Cape Town in South Africa via Europe and Africa in 2007) I had a reinvested interest in Africa, the people, the wildlife and the experience of increasing my scope of the world past LA, past Texas, past the USA and into a remote wilderness.
I have been devouring books about the travel style, cultural heritage, vegetation, wildlife, etiquette of several of Africa's countries. I've narrowed it down to Kenya and Rwanda as my top two picks for the travel itinerary.
Kenya is so vast and beautiful. The Maasai Mara is a top game range and the Maasai people captivate me. I cannot wait to visit Giraffe Manor or the Elephant Orphanage. I would also like to participate in http://www.stuffyourrucksack.com/ and see if there is some small way I could do something to help within the slums of Nairobi.
Rwanda has healed by leaps and bounds from a genocide that happened only 20 years ago. A divided people who have begun to unite, to rebuild, and to rededicate themselves to the preservation of their land and wildlife. They have gorilla treks where you can look into the profound eyes of a mountain gorilla, unseen in any zoo because they do not survive captivity.
Just the thought gives me tingles up my spine.
So, after spending arduous hours and extensive brain power on planning and executing the details of my wedding in Kauai, I have begun to funnel that primed power into learning about Africa and just how I plan to get there. In essence, this trip is my baby.....before I do that whole baby thing.
P.S.....so far my FAVE book I've read is called "Traveling Africa - A Woman's Guide" by Dana Atkinson. Aside from providing experiences specifically about things a woman may need or come across, the author actually gives great anecdotes, a workable/affordable travel plan through Kruger National Park and simple advise that could pertain to anyone wishing to travel to Africa. Female or male, if you are beginning to consider a trip to Africa....it's a good place to start.
