As of Tuesday I’ll be off the grid, and I mean OFF the grid.  My husband and I have carved out 3 weeks for one another.  Part of the time we’ll be on safari in Botswana. It’s a trip we’ve dreamed-of for many years.  In the scheme of things 3 weeks doesn’t seem like a very long time, but we’ve had a number of challenges and potential roadblocks that could have de-railed us at any point. I have been so determined to make this trip happen, that I’ve been guarding this time – like a lioness guards her cubs (gulp!).

I’m not sure if I’m more excited about seeing the amazing wildlife or about being completely cut off from cell reception and Internet for 8 days.  That means no matter what’s going on back home, unless it’s a dire emergency, it will wait. Somehow the world will function without us and low and behold, I will get to be with my best friend without distraction for one whole week.  It’s almost unheard-of.

For this short period, we’ll be living by the timeline of nature’s clock; waiting for the animals at the water’s edge, sitting in stillness, listening for the sounds of activity, and resting during the hottest part of the day. I was talking to a friend recently about the safari and she said to me, “Be careful, you know the animals can wander right into the campsite.”  My first thought was:  Aren’t we the ones wandering into their campsite?  Don’t they have far more reason to be cautious than I do?

Of course the hardest part about going away is actually getting out of here! I’m trying not to stress about all that needs to be done in the next two days. Regardless, on Tuesday we’ll be on our way, and soon enough returning with lessons learned and stories to tell.  I cannot wait to share them with you.

Bonana! (“See you again” in Tswana)

Joan

Photo credit: ucumari / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND