Life...The Vivere

AFRICAN MEMORIES

OCTOBER 20, 2018

  It seems like sooo long ago that I was in Africa...   specifically, in Ethiopia (to visit my two, very dear "adopted" families and friends...) and Kenya, to visit some   elephant orphanages. An August visit... over all too soon... leaving me a suitcase filled with memories. My KARA (tribal name) families live in the Omo Valley that spans the border of Ethiopia and Kenya...a truly remote and forgotten corner of the African continent. It's peopled by ancient, exotic, primitive tribes who live as pastoralists. Warm and caring people, they're famous for their body painting. Here are some photos of members of my two families...we've been "family" for more than 15 years...these are from my latest visit. I see them each year...

Some of the animal photos in the collage above are from Kenya where we were privileged to spend time in TSAVO National Park with orphaned elephants... some very young... some older. We saw them socializing in the bush, at watering places, being fed their bottles, casually eating their hay, playing together...all close enough to touch... and touch we did, when the ellies were open to being touched. We also saw the only mammoth elephants with giant tusks left in the world. Ellies carrying a special gene, this handful of giant tuskers are all in TSAVO. Think wooly mammoth, but without hair. They're enormous! 

An added bonus were the other animals and birds we saw. There are  always unique and fun surprises  when I put my Africa travel plans in the hands of the ORIGIN SAFARIS (https://originsafaris.com) travel company. Each trip I take with them is a "trip of a lifetime..." and there have been many!

Here are a few more photos from this exciting trip...

Off again in October to Romania. See my next posting in a few days for a view of once-Communist Romania, a country with stunning landscapes, astounding ancient art, delectable food and warm, friendly people. 

Thanks for checking in.

Big hugs,
abbyj