Eight years in the land of elephants, lions and giraffe. In the land of open plains and acacia trees, in the land of the Masai people, Samburu, Himba, Zulu and Mursi tribes.
In the land where you never say no, even though yes often seems insane. In the land where no one is ever on time but everything somehow has its order.
In the land where the most stunning sunsets are everyday business and where the moon rises like a big red sun and the stars cover more space than the dark.
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| Masai warriors parading at a ceremony |
What have these eight years done to me? They have turned me upside down and shaken out all the dust, the fear, the doubt, the hate. They have left me standing with wide open eyes, ready to see everything anew. To see everything from a selfless angle of love. And one of my greatest teachers are the beautiful people I am so lucky to share my life with: the Masai.
They have taught me that tears are only cried for the dead and that any other tears are cried in anger rather than sadness. They have taught me that children are tellers of the truth and that they lift you out from the darkest corners of your soul.
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| Overlooking the stunning Masai Steppe |
They have taught me that it is rude to not accept gifts, even when they come from someone who has nothing. They have taught me that being still does not mean you are moving backwards, but that it gives you time to reflect on your next move.
They have taught me happiness can be found anywhere and any day and that it is you who creates it, for yourself and others.
They have taught me that accepting each other's differences teaches you to accept not only those different to you but also yourself.
They have taught me that inviting strangers into your house leaves you feeling connected to the world and is nothing but basic decency.
They have taught me that laughter and stories are more important than big cars and designer jeans.
They have taught me that dirty, skinny kids are happier than ours could ever be and that it is OK to play with sand and sticks.
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| My husband and I. |
They have taught me that family is everything and that sharing makes you rich.
They have taught me to live slower and with more purpose.
They have taught me to be patient and that detours make the journey memorable.
They have taught be to observe more and judge less.
They have made me softer and harder at the same time.
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| Warrior herding his cattle |
They have turned me into the person who talks to strangers when passing them on the street, who gives a random child a sweet just to see it smile. They have turned me into someone who fears the coldness of the western world and who has stopped trying to explain to those who have never been to Africa.
Do YOU understand?
