It was the summer before college when my dad brought up the idea of going to Africa. Such a bizarre place, I thought. The only thing that came to my mind was the heat I would have to endure if he were to go forth with the trip. As the weeks passed, we actually started preparing for this trip. I was getting ready to face the hours of traveling, time change and culture shock, but I was all in. Yes, it was in fact hard to comprehend why my family would travel to an area such as Kenya, but what I didn't know is how much it would change my perspective on things.
There are so many people on this planet, and I know there are so many others who have it harder than I do. I hadn't believed that to be true until I actually experienced it for myself. Immediately coming out of the airport in Nairobi, Kenya, I noticed the way people stared at my family and me. It was clear we were tourists, with all of our luggage and the peculiar face expressions, it was obvious we were new to the area. Instantly though, I felt something I have never felt: unity. People talked rather than just passed by each other, they smiled and waved rather than being ignorant. They went at a slow pace and it felt much more enjoyable.
I was so blinded, I never knew this place would have this big of an impact on me as it did. It has been a year and I can still honestly say it was the most amazing place on this planet. After the hour drive out of downtown Nairobi and into the safari, I constantly found myself looking at the different ways of life. It was something I wasn't use to. Coming from a very populated area in California, I forget to take advantage of what is given to me. Most people probably feel the same. It's very common, especially being in a first world country. Whether it's being picky about the types of food I eat or complaining about having the last generation cell phone, taking advantage of what we have is habitual.
Visiting a third world country taught me that all the worries we have in the place we live in doesn't compare to the worries people have elsewhere. Having food on the table and a place to sleep is not hard to find. For them, it is. They had a home, but it was made out of mud and the only form of "air conditioning" were the manmade holes that were poked through the walls. They went to school but it was 90 students to a classroom and their education was compromised by educators who unlawfully spent their funds. These children have so much potential to do great things, and it is horrible to see that the only thing stopping them from receiving a better education is where they live.
Not only was my family able to experience this diverse way of life, but we were also introduced to the the ways of life in Africa: the culture, the atmosphere and the traditions. People lived simpler, they spoke differently and they had different ways of going about their day. It was fascinating to watch these people interact with one another and the tourists that came in. Not only were they welcoming, but they immediately shared their lives with us. The children appreciate the little things. They valued each other's characteristics and cherished the time spent with their families. The people I met not only treasured the things they have, but they were consistently working to provide for their family.
One of my safari guides, Sam, was one of the most sensible human beings I've ever met. The amount of work he put into his job and the love he had for the place he lives was unbeatable. This man was only able to see his wife and infant child once every two months but that didn't discourage him from living the way he does. His charisma and enthusiasm is something I will never forget when I think back to my trip to Africa.
Visiting a third world country was better than I had ever planned. The idea of being so far from home is scary- especially when it's an area that is unfamiliar to many tourists. Despite these fears it is without a doubt the most adventurous time of your life. It is a time to get out of your comfort zone and adapt to an unaccustomed atmosphere. Africa will be a place that I will never forget and I'm forever thankful I was able to see a different part of the world.
