One year ago tomorrow, my husband and I boarded a plane to Africa. It was a life-long dream of mine to celebrate my 50th birthday, as well a
s my book being published, and, well, my entire existence thus far by spending nearly the entire month of September exploring as much of Africa as possible. Ever since my father had told me that as he was growing up in Sicily that he always considered Africa to be “il giardino” (likening Africa to the Garden of Eden), something inside of me had decided back then that one day, I would experience this birthplace of all life first-hand and in as much of an indulgent way as I could afford.
We started our journey in Cape Town, South Africa and criss-crossed our way through Zimbabwe, taking in Victoria Falls, up to Botswana where we got up close and personal with Elephants, and ended our stay in the Serengeti. We stayed in some of the most luxurious of lodges as well as in makeshift temporary tents with wildlife prowling just outside our canvas doors.
Rising before the sun itself, heading out in open-air jeeps, witnessing animals of every species coexisting in harmony, and just sitting, just being in the moment, unhooked, unplugged, and at such peace…it has stayed with me and has changed me. This change being that for the better.
