Ah, the Masai Mara!

Our second year's "bucket list" journey was centered around a safari in  East Africa.   The magic, mystery and adventure beckoned to us. We arrived in Nairobi from Istanbul, and took a small plane from Nairobi to the Masai Mara game reserve.  We really didn't know what to expect.

From the plane, we caught a glimpse of the vast savanna.  After settling into our camp "tent" (one that I'd like to replicate someday), we had tea and biscuits then got on our open land rover with Paul, our Kenyan driver-guide. We have begun our hunt.

The first thing that I noticed was the eery quiet of the open savanna.  Somehow I imagined we would hear all sorts of animal sounds... instead, all one can hear was the hum of our jeep and the occasional tweeting of small birds.  The stretching horizon was so open and so clean, the air was so fresh and light.

We encountered and watched almost every living animal that we imagined we would: lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes, hyenas, rhinos, buffalos, gazelles, topis, impalas, wild hogs, baboons, little birds, big birds, ostriches and ducks, crocodiles and hippos, even a cheetah. We missed the leopard...

What I found insatiably wonderful was the hunt, the find, the discovery.  A baby elephant nursing, lion cubs playing, vultures and hyenas scavenging, hippos floating, wild hogs and impalas grazing .  The sight of a families of giraffes, dens of lions,  herds of buffalos, zebras in procession.  And - finding them in their own element,  free of care, following the natural order of life -- was simply breathtaking.  There was clearly a natural order, and each of them had a natural purpose.  It was so simple, so beautiful, and so timeless.

I couldn't help wondering  why Africa has continued to struggle with poverty and such an under-developed economy.   After all, it is so rich in natural resources.  I understand that in large part, we can blame the complexities around uniting feudal tribes.  But, on the other hand, the people of Africa, in preserving these vast natural habitats have consequently forgone the opportunity of great material wealth.  I suppose they have chosen wealth in a different form: vast open land, free roaming animals, unpolluted air, grass, trees and plants growing at will. All this - is priceless.

I have promised to return with our kids, in three years.  And I hope the savanna, and its surprises will be continue to be there, waiting for us in its timeless state.  And I also  hope we will meet the elusive leopard then.