Back to Africa

After 32 hours in airplanes and airports, a sleepless night in Johannesburg, and a 7 hour drive to Kruger, we are almost back home – at least the only home we really know right now. Tomorrow we will arrive in Satara after taking care of the last few details at Scientific Services in Skukuza (90km south of our tent in Satara). It feels strange that this national park feels like home. I’ve found myself chomping at the bit to be back in Satara, back to our tent, the animals, the lions roaring at night, and the friends we made here last year.

Jet lag is still with me as every little hurdle and problem that comes up in the first day or two is overly frustrating and brings anger that is disproportionate to the size of the problem. At this point in every long overseas research trip when small problems meet overwhelming jet lag, I ask myself “Why the hell do I really want to do this work? Why don’t I have a desk job somewhere?” But soon jet lag will disappear and the joyful part of being in the field and being around animals will take over – sooner rather than later hopefully. Thankfully, the weather has been kind and it has been blissfully cool with some nice early season rain.