When, if not now

'All dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.'

Dreams, who doesn't know them. They start with a brief thought, just an idea. And if you follow it, you are usually rewarded.

The whole journey here was a dream, long-standing. Africa has always been my dream. To go to Africa as a midwife. But you know that the everyday work here challenges me a lot and every person needs a balance, a reward, a motivation to keep going.

And this weekend I wanted to get away: away from the city, far away from the experiences and thoughts about the African delivery room and fulfill a dream: safari!

Friday, September 7, 2018

Ines, Saskia, Mia and me.

A jeep.

Guide (Morris) and driver.

And off we go into the wilderness.

We drove 50 km of paved road, then another 90 km off-road, civilization became less and less, the wilderness became more noticeable and with it the temperatures rose.

Iringa is located at an altitude of almost 1600 meters, so we are not used to temperatures above 30 degrees here. In the jeep it showed 38 degrees. Welcome to nowhere!

Still on the way to the park: Full brake-giraffe on the way!

How crazy!

We passed the entrance to Ruaha National Park, the largest here in Tanzania, and drove towards our accommodation at sunset. What a backdrop! Bandas (small huts with thatched roofs) in the middle of the park were our destination. After dark, you are only accompanied to your banda by a park ranger with a rifle. Is that really necessary, I wondered? Well, they must know why.

Light & power is switched off after dusk, also in the huts no conspicuous light may burn for the animals.

So orientate with a flashlight, get to know the first house pets (geckos) and quickly hop under the mosquito net.

Saturday, September 8, 2018

Our day started at 5:50 a.m., we wanted to drive into the sunrise. It can't be described in words. This air, this light, the sounds of the animals and then you see them: zebras, elephants, gazelles, giraffes, buffalo, lions, kudu, various birds and so many more animals!

I was speechless!

It's a mixture of

- Fascination

- Joy

- Enthusiasm

- Respect & fear

- Admiration

- Happiness

- Surreality

You zoom through the wilderness, constantly looking around, and then another beautiful animal appears. Sometimes only recognizable in the distance, then suddenly very close. Every second is different. I love that. On safari, as in the delivery room, it's just unpredictable!

I could find a few words for every moment I was able to observe the animals, but that would be beyond the scope.

I have seen 3 out of 5 Big Five animals. There are no rhinos in Tanzania and leopards did not want to show themselves to us. It was a pity and we were a bit sad. But I see it positively: positive for the animals!

In the wild, they simply have the opportunity to hide in thousands of places and have a lot of freedom! That's how animals should be allowed to live! I don't know when I'll feel like going to the zoo next.. it will probably take a while.

Sunday was once again impressive and the wilderness had captivated me.

To be far away from civilization, without reception, is hardly conceivable in today's world. Always being reachable is almost a given. Also in my everyday life in Germany. It is also sensible and important and it felt strange not being able to reach my loved ones, but it was also a feeling of liberation in a way. How often do you meet friends and everyone is busy with their phones in between. It is now part of our nature, but sometimes you shouldn't overtax your body with too many things at once and enjoy the really important moments.

I was able to completely switch off and the experiences will stay with me forever and for you, I tried to capture them with some photos so that you can experience them yourself.

Here are my three most beautiful moments:

- Discovered a lioness with four lion cubs

- Watching elephants 'fight' in the sunrise

- this indescribable starry sky

My three most fearful moments:

- Seeing lions 300 meters from our bandas (the ranger with the rifle does make sense after all)

- Taking a pee break in the middle of the bush, in the area where you were just looking for leopards

- Hearing a crash on the roof while eating and then seeing an animal jump onto the neighboring table (they are 'just' monkeys)

My most instructive moment:

- Shaking out shoes after the night so as not to step on spiders & beetles

Rested and with an incredibly full battery of energy, I return to everyday life. To civilization. And I look back at the wilderness with a laughing and a crying eye.

One thing I know for sure: I'll be back! 🌍❤️