I have to admit that when I thought of Africa, the words I thought to describe it were HOT, DRY, and DESERT-LIKE. I found it hard to be excited since that’s what I thought.
Was I ever wrong!
When we got to Kenya last month, we were in the mountains at 5000 feet elevation near the Rift Valley. Lion King country for you Disney fans. Absolutely astonishing. We went on a safari and saw hippos, rhinos, monkeys (not my favorite animal, click here to read about and watch a video of my monkey story in India!), zebras, giraffes, ostrich, and many more.
This month we’re in Rwanda and this is one of the most beautiful places we’ve been in. It’s nickname is “Land of One Thousand Hills”. Everywhere you walk is either up or down because there are so many hills. And the greenery! Whew, it’s amazing. Banana trees, Avocado trees, trees I have no idea what they are but still a beautiful green. Up until a few days ago, it rained every afternoon so it's not even as dry as I thought it would be.
On a run a few days ago I found myself on a trail overlooking a valley and it was nothing but green. An incredible view.
We’re still around 5000 feet in elevation so when the sun’s behind the clouds, it’s a pleasant temp. But since we’re so near the equator, as soon as the sun comes out it’s an intense heat. It definitely feels like the sun is a lot closer than at home. Eighty degrees here feels different than eighty in the mountains of NC.
So needless to say, after all that, I’m enjoying Africa and the pleasant surprises that have come with it!
