Heading to explore ASIA!

In a few weeks we will be leaving the USA to visit four countries in Asia. This is a new and exciting destination to explore. More will follow as we travel down the road towards our departure, but for now I wanted to share the exciting map of our route.

Come on a SAFARI!!

Only in my wildest dreams!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

African WILD DOGS!

HIPPO ATTACK!

Yes we have no bananas....

When you overland in Africa, it not uncommon to have the driver look for a shady tree and then pull over on the side of a road and have lunch. Within minutes everyone on the bus unloads the tables, dishes and food and then starts to prepare lunch. It is also not uncommon that when we begin this process local children emerged out of thin air and encircle our area with great curiosity. I always take this opportunity to go introduce myself to the kids and ask then their names. I also, grab my “special” backpack and give the kids sweets, balloons, stickers and school supplies.

On one such occasion, three little girls around the age of six or seven stood silently with large flat wicker trays piles high with mounds of little ripe yellow bananas.  Shyly they each told me their names and then asked me if I wanted to buy some banana’s. I looked at Roy and he of course as usual he read my mind in an instant. He came over to the girls and asked them how much their bananas were. Each girl told him their price. He then said, “okay I will buy them all”. The girls looked at each other with a look of disbelief and total excitement. Then I took each tray and carefully emptied all the little bananas onto our lunch table.

Our cooked along with the other travel partners looked at us like we had lost our minds. Roy handed each girl her money and quietly they smiled and said thank you. One little girl gave Roy a big hug. Quickly they grabbed their empty wicker trays and ran down the road to their small village.

It makes me smile every time I think of those three little girls running home to their small village to share the story of the two crazy Mzunga or (white people) that bought all of their little yellow banana’s that sunny afternoon.

Sometime the difference between an average day and a great day is sharing a simple act of kindness! Cindy Hubler

Scratch'n my butt!