Tag Archives: Travel reflections – One of my first views of Oman was from the back of a police car. I should have been celebrating – not only had I just entered my fortieth country, but I was ticking one off the top of my bucket list. Instead, I was being driven from immigration to police headquarters, where we would be detained for seventy-two hours, down to the minute.  After seven-and-a-half months traveling overland through East Africa, it’s safe to say it wasn’t my favorite region of Africa. Too expensive, too overcrowded, too polluted. But even though I didn’t love East Africa, I’m happy I went. Travel isn’t about loving everything you see and do and every place you visit. It’s about venturing forth and checking the world out. Go, I say. Always go.  Travel isn’t always wonderful. Sometimes, it’s not amazing or awe-inspiring or any of the other synonyms listed in my thesaurus. Sometimes it’s just plain ok. Malawi reminded me of this, but it also reminded me that travel brings gifts in the most surprising of places. After almost 6 months of overland travel through Southern Africa, this travel loop is looped. As I sit at the airport, ready to head off to Canada, I reflect on the highlights of my trip and all the things I have to be thankful about.  Seven months ago, almost to the day, I hopped on a plane to take me back to Africa, back to Bruno. Brimming with hope, excitement, and nerves, I imagined what it would be like to live in a camper van, to spend my days with Bruno, and to travel around Southern Africa indefinitely and freely […] |
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