18 Comments
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Suzy's avatar

Eat your heart out David Attenborough .... when are you publishing the book .... I want to be first in line to get it personally signed. You are one amazing, hugely talented writer, Kay Walten.

Kay Walten's avatar

Omg @Suzy that is a high compliment. Thank you.

Emese-Réka Fromm's avatar

What a trip! And what an adventure! Loved reading it. And great title! :)

Kay Walten's avatar

Oh thank you! It was amazing. There were so many micro moments that did not make the page. Thrilled you loved reading it. 🙏

Emese-Réka Fromm's avatar

Sounds amazing! And yes, I can only imagine; you can never write down every moment, but I’m sure it stayed with you.

Kay Walten's avatar

Yes many moments are there. It is why I write to get these stories documented and out there so I don’t take the tales to my grave without sharing. Even my family hasn’t heard the gritty details of my exploits.

舞原詩音 | Cross‑Cultural Writer's avatar

This is the kind of travel story that doesn’t polish the dust off before handing it to the reader.

The warm beer, the bus, the boat, the donkey, the final gin and tonic with ice — all of it feels lived rather than arranged.

And that last line about goodbye is just right. Some friendships don’t end. They simply take separate planes for a while.

Kay Walten's avatar

@舞原詩音 | Cross‑Cultural Writer thank you for your feedback. I try to keep the gritty parts gritty. None of it is arranged, because sometimes reality is better than fiction.

Mack Collier's avatar

Love reading your adventures. Kay! What a great story!

Kay Walten's avatar

Oh thank you @Mack Collier

Sean Paul Kelley's avatar

Buses and baboons in Africa with the driver's mate gunned up with a .12 gauge shotgun? Been there. Africa has its unique rewards but it demands a lot for them. Great story.

Kay Walten's avatar

@Sean Paul Kelley I am happy you enjoyed the post. It sounds like you may have stories of Africa yourself to share.

Sean Paul Kelley's avatar

Only Ethiopia and Eritrea. Wish I had more. But those two were enough crazy to last me a while.

Most of my travels are East Asia and Silk Road countries. Done the Silk Road three times backwards and forwards including Iran.

Kay Walten's avatar

I have to share a review I got today via email.

I knew you had amazing adventures, but until I started reading, your writings, i didn’t comprehend how amazing. 😘

from my Mom.

Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Quite a trip Kay! The whole menagerie there to greet you—chimps, baboons and so much more. PS Great title!

Kay Walten's avatar

@Jeanine Kitchel had I not been used to guns and military like I’ve seen in Central America I probably would have been more concerned than amused.

Aminah's avatar

I loved reading this. Another set of eyes to look at Tanzania through. Thank you for sharing, looking forward to Kilimanjaro soon.

Kay Walten's avatar

Aminah, so glad you enjoyed the article. Stay tuned. 😉