I've got holes in my heart, bigger holes in my pockets and miss dishing here about my favorite place.
Just sharing my misery.

For now, the closest I've come lately to anything Africa is to use my African reference photos to make paintings. Just finished a nice water scene from L. Vumbura (sp.).
Loved that place.

What's happening in your lives? Any African anecdotes to share.

I'm missing it so much it's painful. It would help if I was planning a trip, but my 2010 plans have been pushed back to 2011. And that's if my financial situation doesn't go completely into the toilet.
So yes, I feel your pain!

Cybor, take a picture of your watercolor and post a link.

We can discuss 2011. Whatever you are planning, Lillipets, will be perfected with two years worth of planning and chatting.

agree Cybor, missing it more each day. The weekly updates from the lodges in South Luangwa aren't helping nor has playing my "Sounds of Luangwa" CD!
Hopefully next year I'll make it back.

I don't really like to check the board or think about any of it very much. My work situation has changed--not sure when I'll be back. Or what things will be like in my favorite places when I do return.

Heartbreak continent.

(Please excuse hyperbole and gross generalizations above. Leely's mood: somber and hopeless. What color is that on the mood ring? Dennis, I'm sure you must know that one.)

Always!

Glad to know I'm not alone but sad that a few of you will not be able to go for awhile. Perhaps the fewo f you who are going can tell us about your plans so that we can vicariously plan with you.
As for me, I will see those Gorillas before I die. Sounds maudlin, doesn't it, LOL

Lynn,
My pictures are more of exercises on how not to paint. Nothing worth copying.

Hopefully, in a week I will be able to book a trip next May to Cape Verde (does that count as Africa?). I'm just waiting for the dates to open up using frequent flyer tickets.

I was just dreaming of Africa. I think that an old video clip of a Miss America contestant being asked a question and answering stupidly combined with my thoughts of an upcoming trip to Rwanda and LyndaS's latest title produced this:

I had to come up with a bunch of Big and Little 5s.

The little 5 of the flight to Africa...
Peanuts, pretzels, that pretzelly chex mix type combo with seasoning salt, the roll in plastic saved from your meal, and on BA a Cadbury bar

The primate 5 of Rwanda...
Gorillas, chimps, golden monkeys, colobus monkeys, L'hoest's monkeys

The little 5 of your tent...
gecko, ant, small spider, medium spider, big spider

The transportation 5...
Land Rover, Land Cruiser, Minibus, Maasai walking, Maasai on a bicycle

Michael,
The Cape Verdeans (sp.) around here would tell you that it's located on mainland Portugal not off the African coast, LOL.
Would love to hear more about your trip.

Lynn,
Was that question something about Africa being a country?

Big desert 5;
Meerkats, Balboa trees, quad bikes, goats, bedrolls

I miss it every day, every hour, every minute, every goddamn second.

But meanwhile I am sucked deeper and deeper into a vortex of deadlines, overtime hours, speeding tickets, weekend work, ever increasing tax levels and impossible-projects-sold-way-too-low-to-be-realistic-because-of-the-crisis-but-Jochen-will-save-us situations. And if I do get an hour or so for myself, I have to spend it in the garden. Not that that hour is enough; it still looks awful. I sometimes wonder why I bother.

One day, I swear, I'm gonna sell it all, get on a plane, stick my middle finger out to this country I'm in, and never ever come back.

How's that for a sentiment?

Ciao,

J.

Cybor, you are not alone. I've only been back a week, and I'm missing it already! Sigh.

Michael, oh yes Cape Verde counts. We went ther in 2003, it's a cool little place!

Pixelpower … your scenario sounds too familiar. Then I got a back injury and had to rest, but not make any money so Africa gets further and further away.

I like the Africa is a country question and I love Jochen's rant.

Hope your back improves, Twaffle.

I too miss the sights, smells and sounds of Africa. I have my wall of pictures that I see everyday to keep me going. I am returning to Africa (Egypt), next March. This is a trip my husband has always wanted to do and I will have to wait a few more years to go on safari again.

Lynda,
Glad you had a chance to go again. Will look at your trip report.

twaffle,
Hope the back gets better - bummer

pixel,
I'll be right behind you.