After four hours of driving, Sam was a bit surprised that we headed for the car again soon after checking into our room at the Kilaguni Lodge.

When the answer to, "Where are we going?" came back, "We're not going anywhere ... just for a game drive," he looked confused, but for a kid who loves animals the way Sam does a game drive is the perfect thing follow to a long car session.

Within a very short time we'd spotted our first animal, a lone impala ... what a sight! All of a sudden, those of us in the car new to the safari experience knew we were in a... more

Politics are interesting all over the world, and paying attention from inside a country gives a different perspective than watching news reports in the comfort of your living room. Often, as a tourist you'll be offered a view you'd never get outside the borders, and one residents forget to notice due to familiarity.

Saturday morning as we tried to head out of Nairobi for Tsavo and points south, our progress was impeded by a sudden and solid traffic jam. Liz had a few theories: accident, plane crash (as we were near a small airport), or the President. The more we looked around... more

A quick catch-up (ketchup?) on the past few days would have to start with the short walk to Karen Blixen's house on our first day here. What an emotional visit that was for me, and even Mark had some twinges of spine chill that come with momentous moments in history touching. I've walked that house so often in my mind that putting my feet on the floor, sitting at the stone table, felt strange and familiar. Strangely familiar. The approach to the house is exactly as it should be, and only the absence of veranda furniture seemed odd.

I didn't have nearly enough of the place... more

Abject apologies to anyone who's been looking for posts from me the past few days and coming up with nothing but last week's news. It's not that I've been negligent ... no, not at all ... I'm just in Africa.

We arrived in Nairobi last Thursday evening, and a power cut shortly after we got in crashed the phone system in the Karen area ... the part of the city we're staying in ... and had it down until after we left for Tsavo, so I've not been able to do as much as send an email.

This abrupt end of global communication has been a plus, in my book, really adding... more

I'm cross-posting this on both the International Adoption Blog and the Older Parent Adoption Blog. Sorry for the repetition if you read both.

Here's the list of things Sam's decided he wants to do in Africa: golf, play football, carry suitcases, buy toys and books.

Where any of this comes from is beyond me. A child's perspective is so removed from the adult way of looking at the world that it's as if different planets are inhabited by each species.

My world today if full of packing, details, laundry, lists and 'don't forget the__' anxieties. My vision... more

I've been talking about the practical aspects of travel, but now that I'm leaving for Kenya tomorrow, I'm beginning to allow myself to get into the mood ... to fantasize a bit about the up-coming vacation and work up some enthusiasm.

Africa has always been my dream destination. From the time I was very young and read for the first time Osa Johnson's "I Married Adventure" ... her wonderful account, although... more

Travel with a family takes a bit of juggling. There are times when five or six balls, each needing attention, will all be up in the air ... is there: time for? money enough? endurance aplenty in all concerned? a safe setting? real interest, or just a photo op? Will a visit to site A interfere with event B? Can the kids take another cathedral? Can the adults survive another day at the theme park?

Both of my previous rants figure in to the juggling act. Advance planning ... knowing your... more

Posting my thoughts on travel, I have stressed the importance of being relaxed in foreign places, and how an open and welcoming attitude can add much to your experience.

Although I'm very big on spontaneity, a real 'go with the flow' feeling can only result from preparedness. Planning is a vital part of international travel, and you can't truly experience a country without knowing something about it. The "If it's Tuesday, It Must Be Belgium" sort of gazing out the windows as someone... more

I have very good 'travel karma' ... always have had. Things tend to work out for me when I'm on the road. Connections are made, and if wires are crossed, it almost always turns out to bring about some providential meeting resulting in life-long friends or never-could-have-been-planned event. Weather seems to cooperate with my agenda, as do politics and circumstances.

I have seen this as cosmic intervention ... some great unseen hand guiding me through my adventures toward experiences that would most facilitate learning and growth. Maybe. I suspect, however, serendipitous... more

After being a tourist in many different countries, I now make my home in a place where tourism is a major player in the economy. Seychelles is a dream destination for many, especially Europeans who are more familiar with Indian Ocean islands that most Americans will ever be.

Since I became a seasoned traveler, behaving with respect for locals and attempting to blend into new atmospheres have been important considerations when visiting a country. Now that I am a local, I... more