It just feels like home over there. And darn it I'm getting homesick again already!!!

Of course, Africa isn't addictive. Why, I went there only once nearly 14 years ago and never went back! (The fact that I think of Africa constantly and haunt this forum has nothing to do with being addicted!) Many, many years ago I saw a sign in old Panama City,(yeah, the one down where we used to own a Canal until it was given away) and by a quirk of memory, I always have remembered what the sign said. (It was in a bar and being a virtuous young man at the time I was sober enough to read it) It read: "The spell of the tropics, it gets you worse than rum - You get away and you swear you'll stay - but she calls and back you come!" I think we all are caught by the spell of Africa and that it's in the tropics makes the spell even stronger.

"Africa is undoubtedly a most fascination wild mistress. She gets a tenacious hold on most persons; bewitching, magnetic, that is almost irresistible, and once experienced, is NEVER lulled into forgetfulness."
May French Sheldon 1891

Africa addictive? Ha!

I'm never going back... at least least until the 25th of this month! And I won't drink Scotch and smoke a cigar in the Omay, either. Or sweat a bunch humping it after a P.A.C. bull.

A cap for a tooth or a kudu? A really nice suit or a couple of days DG daily rate........ come on, just because I think that way, it's not addiction.

I gave up

Sex
Cigars
Whiskey
Red Wine and Hunting Africa ....

IT was the WORST FIVE MINUTES of my life (-:

Cheers, Peter

Hey Gerry: Just take out the two words: "the Tropics" and substitute in the word "Africa" and it says it all. . . .

I think it's the tropics, which gets into your blood. I was born and brought up in India and though I have lived away for over 20 years now. I still miss the dust and heat.

When I first when to africa it felt like I was home and not in a foreign land. Harari 2005 was like my home town was 30 years ago! Many many similarities....

What carefree wonderful days when life had its own pace and one didnt have to have money and material wealth to be happy and content. The power went off for hours each day, but no one complained and life went on!

Some of the nicest people I have the pleasure of knowing in this fair land have all been to Africa and love it as much as I do...

I doubt that a waking hour goes by that I don't think of either being in Africa or going back.I admit to having an obsessive personality, but this is a new level even for me.

Addictive? Of course not ! Addiction is an uncontrollable urge to repeat behavior that may or may not be in your best interest.

But then, as George Hoffman so aptly wrote in the inscription to my copy of his book:

"Africa is a Demanding mistress. Once you have drank from her cup she is never far from our thoughts."

Amen.

I have only been to Africa once, this October, but making plans to do it again.

"Now, looking out the tunnel of tres over the ravine at the sky with white clouds moving across in the wind, I loved the country so that I was happy as you are after you have been with a woman that you really love, when, empty, you feel it welling up again and there it is and you can never have it all and yet what there is, now, you can have, and you want more and more...." Hemingway, Green Hills of Africa.

That's how I feel about it.

Even a short safari commands about 1/3 of my yearly income, yet I'm going on my 4th safari in the last six years...and 5th altogether. It will be my last one as circumstances dictate. I'll have to pretend that those big Montana muleys and white tail are Roan and Sable. I'm also rapidly going broke. I was hooked long before my first taste. Withdrawl frightens the hell out of me...

I told my wife when I stop going to Africa she can ship my ashes over and have them spread in the Omay.

quote:

Originally posted by JudgeG:
Africa addictive? Ha!

I'm never going back... at least least until the 25th of this month! And I won't drink Scotch and smoke a cigar in the Omay, either. Or sweat a bunch humping it after a P.A.C. bull.

A cap for a tooth or a kudu? A really nice suit or a couple of days DG daily rate........ come on, just because I think that way, it's not addiction.

You hunted in the Omay? Was it with Danny Friend? He's a good guy.