May 20 – Off to Kenya
On the plane to Kenya, just had a wonderful shot crossing over the Congo River… I’m on the left side of the plane, window seat, heading east, just over the equator if my internal map & compass is tracking correctly. I’ve had the Congo off my left shoulder for over an hour, the river must be about 30 miles off, and I’ve seen several hundred miles of it. It’s getting smaller, and turning north as we head up the basin – I am enjoying the feeling I have as we approach Kenya. My thoughts go to childhood, to some very early memories…the first animals of my awareness were a beagle dog and her pups, all named for the African nations of the day, as my father’s work involved the independence and politics of many African nations. Congo was my favorite, likely because I could pronounce it… I feel a sense of homecoming somehow…like I have finally connected to influences my father provided to me. All the slideshows of his travels in Tanzania, the books I would thumb through in his office… I do want to thank you Mom & Dad, for all you have done that has shaped me, both of you. I will do good work, with the best of intention, in great part because you taught me to…