Stories behind the scenes…

Africa...what an adventure!

A time of chaos and unrest, literally living life on the edge.

It all started when I watched the movie Gorrillas in the Mist. By the end of the movie, I said to my friend that I was going to see that same group of gorillas in Rwanda, Africa.

This was my dream, and it took me two years to save up $20,000. I bought a one-way ticket into Nairobi, Kenya. I was 19 years old and couldn't wait to delve into the unknown. Little did I know what was in store .

I flew straight into one of the worst riots, it was absolute chaos.

Thousands of people (me included) running down the streets being chased by military firing tear gas, guns, and beating those they could catch. You had to be quick to jump over shop counters before the owners pulled the bars down. We all huddled under the counter, waiting for the situation to diffuse.

This was just the beginning!

Trust no one, keep your wits about you, and hope for the best. On one occasion

a man walked into a shop with a brief case, which he left at the counter and then promptly walked out of the shop! We got up straight away and left. Fortunately, it wasn't a bomb! This was the sad reality of life in Africa.

It was in Nairobi that I bought my first yoga book. A small paperback with some basic asanas, pranayama, and Indian philosophy.

This was when my daily yoga practice began.

I had many adventures of all sorts, during the year I spent hitching around Africa, which I will share.

This was the beginning of deep growth and understanding. Every day was a gamble, and surviving was never guaranteed. I was in my element!

How can we ever take the smallest things we have for granted? When I say the smallest things, these are often blessings for others.

Whenever you catch yourself getting caught up in dramas of day to day life, open your eyes and be thankful for all that you have.

This photo was taken up in the mountains in Rwanda.

Stay tuned for my adventure into Rwanda to see the gorillas .