Hello all! I returned from my trip last night, can you believe it? Over already. I am still a bit out of sorts so I will get a report out in the near future. I can't put into words just yet how much I enjoyed the trip and could not have made better choices, although I may have stayed longer at a camp or two. (Or, what the hell- not come back at all...)

Coming back to "this version of civilization" has been a bit discombobulating. Once I got the the Taj Pamodzi in Lusaka I wanted to cry. (And I did, but just a little!)
No more hippos and "work-harder" birds to sing (and snort) me to sleep.... it all seemed so sterile. What an alluring and enviable lifestyle to be able to spend it in the bush.

If anyone has specific questions before I get to a report, feel free.

Cheers,
Sharon

Welcome back Sharon, I glad you enjoyed Zambia. It's good to see that you were infected with the "Africa Bug"

WELCOME BACK COONCAT!!!!! I know how hard it is to return to civilization, but maybe if you put off your new driveway you could return soon! Can't wait to hear your report, glad you had such a good trip! Get some rest and then fill us in...missed you around here!
Aloha,
Dennis

Welcome back, Sharon!

Sharon,

Leaving Africa is always a bit of dying.

Can't wait to read your trip report.

Greetings,

Johan

Sharon, I can't believe you're back already - seemed only yesterday you left! I know just what Johan means - it feels like you're leaving part of yourself behind each time you leave Africa! Though I know the realities of living there aren't anything like being on a safari holiday, still the fantasy is for it to just last and last and last longer!
Can't wait to hear the report and see the photos!
Kavey

I am so glad your safari went well. I fully understand the tears at the end. That means it was a good trip. Wanting to stay even longer at your camps is also the mark of a successful trip.

You can tell us all about it in time.

I have to tell you that while you were gone I had a dream that every time I turned on my computer my normal desktop would not come up. Instead all that appeared was a big Cooncat and a number.
Cooncat9, Cooncat37, Cooncat14, etc.

Welcome home, and if I have computer trouble, I know who to blame.

So glad to hear that your trip was a success. Looking forward to a full trip report and pictures!

Thanks for all your comments and replies.

Lynn - God that is too funny! I promise to stay at Cooncat3- I've written down the password!

If every time you leave Africa you die a little, how is it that so many of you are still around? If I don't just stay there next time around, it might just do me in. ;-)

Kavey - I have no delusions about it being easy living in the bush, to be sure. I've lived in similar situations when doing Forest Service work many years ago. No matter where or how you live there are challenges, yeah?

Yup, Dennis - that driveway is likely to remain cracked for awhile....

More soon all, when I get my head back in the game!

Welcome back Sharon. It does take a while to get back in the routine.
Well, did you do the micro flight at Tafika? See much game there?

Welcome back, Cooncat.....can't wait to see pics and read your trip report.

Hari

Catch your breath and savior your experience and when ready give us the scoop.
Welcome back Cooncat!
Sherry

Karibu nyumbani Paka wa Coon!

Paka wa Coon? \/

Merci beaucoup, Nyamera.... je pense....

enough with the French...get that report written and post the pics!
Aloha!
Dennis

Paka wa Coon means Cooncat in my personal version of Swahili. A Zambian language would be more suitable so I’ll just say: Umwana ashenda atashishe nina uku naya (“The child that has never travelled thinks its mother is the best cook there is” in Bemba)
Dennis’s "advice" makes sense.

Very nice, Nyamera! OK - As per Dennis and others, Zambia photos are going up now:
http://olympus.kodakgallery.com/Brow...637643953&

Cheers!

Wrong link - check the thread titled "Zambia photos."

I didn't see Zambia photos. Can you put the correct link in this post too?

Here's cooncat's link to her photos:
http://olympus.kodakgallery.com/Slid...ruaid&Ux=1