Africa on my mind...

.

The colder it gets here

(-7 as I write),

the further afield my thoughts wander,

to much, much hotter climes...

.

Not bad for a first attempt at Polyvore, n'est-ce pas..?

This post is inspired by the BBC series

(on their website way back in 2005)

.

"why I love Africa"

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Here are a few of the many, many things

I love about Africa:

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I love the beauty of the vast starry sky and the stillness

of the night;

And I love the noise and colour of vibrant local markets,

where meeting friends and sharing in the life of the community

are more important than simply making profit.

I love sleeping outside, gazing up at God's handiwork

as I drop off to sleep;

And I love sitting inside with the door open when the rains

finally come,

watching silently with friends the pounding of water on the earth.

I love the sense of awe when a sandstorm

blows up;

And I love the joy and relief when the harvest is safely in.

I love that there is always time to talk, that people are more important

than the day's programme;

I love the generosity, that when you arrive at meal time,

you are invited to sit round the bowl and share whatever food there is;

And I love the hospitality, that when you arrive in the evening

you are invited to stay the night,

and a mat is laid out for you.

I love the sense of community - that when you go into a neighbour's yard,

you have no idea how many of the dozens of laughing children

there actually belong to that set of parents;

And I love it that family is important, and that the elderly are respected

and taken care of.

I love it that when you arrive somewhere, you don't do anything

until you have properly greeted everyone;

And I love it that when you leave, you are always sent on your way

with the blessing of God.

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What about you,

have you ever been to Africa..?

And what did you love

about it..?