My commute into "work"

We rode in mostly silence, I was exhausted and in absolute awe at the beauty around me.  I saw very little of Maun, though it seems to vibrant, I look forward to returning in a couple of weeks to experience it.  As we drive out of town, I take in the local africans walking along side the road, the shanty style homes in poverty.  I haven't got my camera out, I really just want to take it all in through my own senses.  It is at this moment that I want to reach out to Dad, it is still a natural reaction to reach for my phone to send him a text, I am in AFRICA!! I look out the window and know he is watching.... I send this shout out to the universe.... for him to catch.

The drive is amazing, the road quickly turns to dirt.  We pause many times to take in the game that cross our path.  My "commute into work" is full of Giraffe, Elephant, Zebra and Impala. Simply amazing. 

Maun

After what I've learnt as a typical Air Botswana 2 hour delay, and a 2:55 flight to Maun, I step off the plane under a true African sky.  I immediately look up.  And take a deep breath in.  The sky is different here.  It is closer to you somehow, I feel as though if I jump I can touch it.  The smell of the air is so fresh and full of sweetness.  

I gather my luggage, and walk out to be greeted by Graham Springer.  The man with whom I will be spending and exorbitant amount of time with over the next year.  A man that I've only read about on Earth-touch, admired his photos from afar and heard about from my dearest friend Katherine who also spent some time in the camp last year and arranged this opportunity for me, for which I am eternally grateful.  Once again, it all seems perfectly normal and natural.  Not the reaction I expected.  Maybe I am over tired, on sensory overload, and maybe in shock.  I am completely surprised by this reaction, and find myself coming back to it looking for more..... though I know to just let what flows through me to do just that.  Flow.   A hug and a brief greeting and we are on our way to Moremi, to the Earth-Touch base camp, a 4 hour drive through the Okavango Delta.

Following a dream

Departure 14:29 YYZ-DUL-JHB

I am sitting in the "Molson Canadian" lounge at Pearson International Airport.  I've been dropped off by one of my oldest and dearest friends with whom I spent my last night in Canada with.  I can't think of a better way to have done so, the days leading up had been hectic and full of laughs with the people I love the most and having them here today would have only made me sad to say goodbye and felt far too final for what it is.

It is with mixed emotions that I write this.  I wonder what the profound effects of time and distance from family, loved ones and civilization as I know it will be on my soul, my mind and my body.  I find myself increadibly at ease with all of this,  I've also placed an enormous amount of trust into the situation and the people I will be spending my year with.  I've asked almost no questions, as it just seems natural.  As if it is meant to be, as if this is simply what I am supposed to be doing. 

JHB Feb 27th

I trusted when they told me there would be someone at the airport to pick me up and there was.  After a 2 hour flight to washington, an hour layover and a 14 hour flight to Johannesburg I've arrived in Africa.  The flight was not bad at all.  I managed to score 2 empty seats next to me and was able to curl up in a ball and get some sleep.  I woke with only 4 hours left in the flight and it went by quickly.  It was in those hours that I had to fight back some tears and hide my ridiculous grin.  These two opposing emotions have been getting the best of me for some time now.   I've drempt about Africa my entire life.  I threw a stone in the pond  when I was very young and the ripples have found their way back to me.  I've arrived in Africa!!!!.  

The moment I got off the place I felt my winter dry Canadian skin absorb with great glee the warm air.   From my head to my toes, if it's possible for these parts of my body to also smile they were.  Every pore in my body was smiling. 

In Jo-burg  I will spend the night with Graham's cousin Martin and his wife Di, and their beautiful year old daughter Anna, an absolute sweetheart with blond hair and blue eyes. They've opened their doors to me in typical south african style, with open arms, smiling eyes and a glass of white wine.  Divine.

As my airport lift drove up to Martin and Di's house, one cannot help but notice the wall around the house, topped with an electirc fence protecting the house and it's occupants.  As is all the homes around.  Alarms everywhere.  We ate dinner outside, however we are unable to set foot on the lawn after dark, there is a seperate alarm system for that area.  Then when we all go to bed half the house is completely closed off and the alarms set as well.  It is how it is here in Jo'Burg.  It's not so much the crimes as it is the way in which they are committed.   Homes don't just get robbed, they get robbed and the people in it killed, for a couch, a T.V or a cell phone.   Because of this it is your responsibility to protect yourself, your family and your home. You couldn't and certainly would not go for a walk around the block at night.  It is so forign to me, but a way of life for those that live here.

I am off for now, tomorrow will fly to my new home. I am giddy with anticipation!!!!

What I believe

Thus far; the sudden death of my father has been the most life changing event I've experienced. Who I was before November 18th 2008 and who I am now is completely different, so far as to say that when I look in the mirror now, something is not just different but missing.  I look different, something in my eyes is gone.  I've suddenly grown older in spirit.  It puts life into shocking perspective, suddenly your senses are amplified by a thousand, what a cats whiskers must be like.  Grief does not choose when it grabs you.  It just does.

Here I am about to embark upon the most amazing, life changing adventure of my life; in a way I can't yet imagine.  It is with mixed emotions that I go, as this momentous occasion won't be shared with my father, though a spirit as strong and alive as his is never gone, I still struggle with my excitement and anticipation without him; my biggest fan cheering me on.

Most who will read this are close enough to me to know I believe in sharing.  While some have found this to be uncomfortable, those here know this about me and I think, enjoy and love it.  I believe in documenting life in an effort to bridge the gaps between each other and nature, to expose our innumerable similarities, and increase empathy for, and acceptance of, one another and nature.  I believe in the laws of attraction.  That thought is the origin of all things.  That what we believe we bring into being; by focusing on abundance rather than lack, what we need and want rather than life deficiencies.  I believe there is an incredible power in the moment we call now.

And now I begin my journey to Botswana.  

Tomorrow I will write about my time in Stowe leading up to my departure to Africa.