In late 2013 I made the difficult decision that it was time to move on to pastures new. Having already booked some Christmas time at home I chose to head back to the UK for around five weeks before travelling on to new adventures.
Having spent three months in Namibia in early 2011 I had had a great time. I returned home to a tough year which ultimately led me back to Namibia.
"If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone elses plan, and guess what they may have planned for you? Not much" - Jim Rohn
"Much of the pain of life comes from having a life plan that you've fallen in love with, and when it doesn't work out, you become angry that you now have to pursue a new life plan. If you want to tame your inner demons, you must not become too attached to any particular life plan, and remain open to there being an even better, happier life plan." - anon
So, Namibia it was and what a great decision. Hot climate, wild animals, different people and cultures and making a difference at grass roots level. Having worked for a few charities it was really nice to be on site where the difference was being made, on the sanctuary, with the researchers looking into carnivore conflict mitigation, next door to the school and working with the doctor for the clinic directly. And yes, its true what they say about Africa it does somehow seep into your soul...
"Much of the pain of life comes from having a life plan that you've fallen in love with, and when it doesn't work out, you become angry that you now have to pursue a new life plan. If you want to tame your inner demons, you must not become too attached to any particular life plan, and remain open to there being an even better, happier life plan." - anon
So, Namibia it was and what a great decision. Hot climate, wild animals, different people and cultures and making a difference at grass roots level. Having worked for a few charities it was really nice to be on site where the difference was being made, on the sanctuary, with the researchers looking into carnivore conflict mitigation, next door to the school and working with the doctor for the clinic directly. And yes, its true what they say about Africa it does somehow seep into your soul...
"Africa is cruel...it takes your heart and grinds it into powdered stone- and no-one minds" - Elspeth Huxley
Over the last couple of years I have learned so much about things I never knew I was so interested in. I have slept with baby baboons, hand raised two zebras and a baby donkey, been mistaken for a biologist by one of Nat geo's own, raised much needed funds, encouraged hundreds of volunteers, guests, agents and journalists to book our project and properties, support our causes and promote us, film TV shows which are now out across the globe, liaised with government ministers, been to Antarctica and, most importantly, made a difference. I feel that a wider world has opened up for me and that I have been very lucky. People often say to me 'I wish I could go and do something like that', well you can, take your skills, take your talents, shelve your fears and find that thing, it's worth it. I have been lucky, but I also made it happen.
"I've been lucky. Opportunities don't often come along. So, when they do, you have to grab them." - Audrey Hepburn
Over the last couple of years I have learned so much about things I never knew I was so interested in. I have slept with baby baboons, hand raised two zebras and a baby donkey, been mistaken for a biologist by one of Nat geo's own, raised much needed funds, encouraged hundreds of volunteers, guests, agents and journalists to book our project and properties, support our causes and promote us, film TV shows which are now out across the globe, liaised with government ministers, been to Antarctica and, most importantly, made a difference. I feel that a wider world has opened up for me and that I have been very lucky. People often say to me 'I wish I could go and do something like that', well you can, take your skills, take your talents, shelve your fears and find that thing, it's worth it. I have been lucky, but I also made it happen.
"I've been lucky. Opportunities don't often come along. So, when they do, you have to grab them." - Audrey Hepburn
"We each have a destiny, a legend that only we can live. To embrace it is scary and dangerous, and most choose not to. Most put it off until tomorrow, until after highschool, until after college, until after establishing a financial base. Can't they see? We only get one shot at this life. Tomorrow may never come. The time is now! Not to drop everything and move to Africa, but to find the passion that is inside us and embrace it, to listen to its subtle whispers" ~ Erik Mirandette
Some of my favourite moments have been from the simple quiet time with my hand raised babies to braai nights with all the staff and volunteers to cuddles with Lala, Sheela's cheeky escapes from her walks in order to get cuddles, playing with the children from the school and the crazy and unusual times where things happen that you could not imagine!
"Nearly all the best things that came to me in life have been unexpected, unplanned by me." - Carl Sandburg
Despite plans to move on I will miss it, the animals, people, lifestyle and experiences, however it's time now for something new, to take the things I have learned and passions I have and fulfil the dream I have had for so long to travel the world and find the ultimate place I want to settle.
Some of my favourite moments have been from the simple quiet time with my hand raised babies to braai nights with all the staff and volunteers to cuddles with Lala, Sheela's cheeky escapes from her walks in order to get cuddles, playing with the children from the school and the crazy and unusual times where things happen that you could not imagine!
"Nearly all the best things that came to me in life have been unexpected, unplanned by me." - Carl Sandburg
Despite plans to move on I will miss it, the animals, people, lifestyle and experiences, however it's time now for something new, to take the things I have learned and passions I have and fulfil the dream I have had for so long to travel the world and find the ultimate place I want to settle.
"Moving abroad is more profound than traveling. It goes beyond curiosity to commitment. Moving abroad is full immersion in a strange country, being forced to make a new life there, using little more than whatever wit, wisdom, openheartedness, and evenhandedness you carry inside you. Perhaps the principal difference is this: To travel is to expect much of the places you visit; to move to one of these places is to expect much of yourself." - http://adventureblog.nationalgeographic.com/2013/11/26/navigations-leap-year/
There is only one photo I can use to sum up my time over there and that's of these two characters who I will miss terribly!
Wish me luck for the future...
There is only one photo I can use to sum up my time over there and that's of these two characters who I will miss terribly!
Wish me luck for the future...
No comments:
Post a Comment