When I was almost five years old, I wanted to go to Africa and see the lions. So as a birthday treat my parents packed the family into the car and we went to 'Africa'. There is a place about 2 hours drive from my home called Fota. In Fota there is a wildlife park. A zoo without as many fences. This was my Africa. Since then it has always been referred to in my family as Africa.
This August sees me turning 23. Strange, since I still feel about 19, but that's life I guess. Years pass by and though you and your situations change you don't feel any older or different. Or sometimes barely a few months could pass and you may feel far beyond your years.
During a family dinner this week my mother asked if I wanted a party for my birthday. It falls on a sunday so would be a perfect day to do something. I thought about it for mere seconds before asking if we could go back to Africa. It's been 18 years since the last time. So the current plan is to pack the family - now extended with spouses and children - into three cars and drive to Africa for the day. I just hope my nephews enjoy it as much as I did.
