morning drive

the traffic jams we fight

each time we drive to town

have let us weary

yesterday, with intention

we turned the opposite direction

heading off on our first adventure

solo on African soil

after reaching our desired destination

an organic farm and butchery

and filling our cooler with fresh cut

unbelievably priced meats

we continued further

scanning the roadside for the furniture stalls

we had been told about

a road sign caught my eye

a high end hotel/safari lodge

we turned to discover it was a three kilometre drive

down a bumpy road

we were free and unscheduled

and needed a bathroom break

so we continued on

a friendly gate guard welcomed us

we explained we wanted to inquire

about a future holiday visit

"sure sure Mama" he smiled

"of course you are welcome Bwana"

he waved us through 

where another sign informed us

we had yet another four kilometres to travel

ruts and ridges and dust

but all worth it

once we stepped out into His glory

the hotel was beautiful, luxurious and steeply priced

far beyond our budget

but we were able to wander the grounds

to spy antelopes and monkeys

stretching car stiff legs

the road back to the highway

stretched dry before us

and as always

the return trip seemed shorter

we didn't care

that we hadn't found the furniture man

that will be a reason

for another drive

another day