Ahoy and hello from the southerly sandy slightly soggy shores of Cape Town. I can say with some confidence that this has been sort of a flop of a blog so I think instead of trying to revive it I will deliver trip tales in another form-- namely the photographic one via FB. But some other publication form may arise as well! So for now, ciao and Mexico here I come!

"Contact!"

At long last! Good lord it has been a while, and my sincerest apologies because I have failed to deliver promised posts! So, with a hand that strikes each key with a degree of uncertainty, I wonder where to begin....

I'll rewind quickly. I am in Cape Town after nearly 2000km of road tripping from southern Botswana, the Tuli Block, where I finished the last month of my field guiding course. The course, which began at the beginning of March at a private game reserve near Kruger NP was outstanding. To give an encompassing description I struggle, but really the course was designed to make level 1 Field Guide Association  of Southern African certified guides. A guide which is certified to conduct vehicle bound game drives. And yes I can bloody shoot a rifle. Getting there was an intense process--long days, seven to eight hours of game driving every day, dust, snakes, sun (hot sun), lectures, bird watching, frogging, rocking, owling, cliff climbing, sunset viewing, star gazing, soul penetrating everything, frivolous and jovial, a serious good time!! The details, stories and nitty gritty in betweens are soon to come.

For me life is rocking. I promise you this is the most alive the young Tabacco has felt in a while. The perfect cocktail of learning, love, adventure, naughtiness, daring, nature and health to set me up on a small high for months. I am so blessed to be here now. Love to all friends and family, missing you a lot a lot. And a special shout to my UCSB-UCT friends, I am thinking of you guys every day. Trying to figure out my next movements which I shan't try to predict now.

Another bloody rough day in Africa!

More stories and accompanying photos to come.
XOXO
Tabacco

Return to the dark continent at sunrise!

I am excited to report that I will begin another southerly journey tomorrow. Botswana is the destination, safari guide training the occupation. Two months of bush living accompanied by an education in African naturalism (and armory training) that will result in my being qualified to lead on foot and drive game drives. Hoping to avoid: charging rhinos, rabid baboons, unseemly giraffes and black mamba encounters.

Please stay tuned for fun updates, though the frequency will be at best infrequent as we have no electricity, let alone internet at camp.

Lots of love and thanks to my supporting crew.