Heaven

I think I felt a little of what heaven must be like this morning as I was riding through the South African bush, sun shining, wind blowing, cool enough for a jacket.  The breeze blew at me but didn't stop me from viewing all of the beauty of God's creation from the scrub bush to the Acacia trees and the birds flying high.  As we drove I listened to the symphony of Afrikan, Italian and English being spoken around me all taking about this wonderful countryside and somehow all understanding one another as we turned a corner and spotted a giraffee family or a lioness and her cubs.  It didn't matter I was wearing the same pair of pants from yesterday and the day before, nor did it matter that my neck still bothers me.  In that incredible time we were truly in heaven being given the rare opportunity to see such beauty and reality mixed that it carried me away.  I felt a connection to God and to this earth in a way I've never before experienced.  What a place!

Now, for all of you who want more practical details of our trip we are on Day 8 without luggage and our next hope is tomorrow when we get back to Johannesburg for one night to see if it is there.  Between the three airlines - United, Ethiopian Airways and South African Airways - no one really seems to know where it is!  It was spotted a couple of times back in Washington Dulles but supposedly came to South Africa.  Truthfully you know as much as we do about where our luggage resides!

Blogs have been spotty because there is not much internet access here in the bush.  We are at Camp Chapungu, which has 8 wonderful tents fully outfitted for us.  There is, however, no heat, so each morning when we get up before daylight for our safari we are thankful we did some shopping in Cape Town to come up with enough WINTER clothes to keep us warm.  I bought a t-shirt here so I now have 3 shirts, one pair of pants and some undergarments.  I do have a toothbrush and deoderant but that is from the first night hotel when we stayed in Virginia!  It does save time every day as no real decisions about what to wear.

The communal area of this camp is lovely with a pool in the middle and the occasional wild animal walking through for a snack!  All of the buildings are open and we eat dinner every night by lamp and firelight after our last safari.  I have so many photos to share but of course my cords are in my suitcase so I cannot upload any of them!

So, there you go.  Next stop is Johannesburg then on to Victoria Falls.  Can't wait to see what's next!