The African continent calls. For several months now, I've been talking and roughly sketching a visit to the world's second-largest continent: Africa. Specifically, the wonderful little country of Ghana (it turns out that A LOT of Americans think of the continent of Africa as a country!!). As plans start to solidify (travel is booked) I am starting to look at the realities of the visit and am finding it very, very inspiring. The 100 Turtles project is due in large part to discussion of this trip. I was thinking about a travelogue or sketchjournal of some kind that I could publish once I returned and now after listening to this episode of Rick Steve's radio show, that is beginning to gain creative traction with my mind.
I have yet to read an explanation about why we find the continent so fascinating and terrifying at the same time. Perhaps it is so exotic, so raw, that most of the homogenized world just suffers from fear. Regardless, I am supremely excited about the journey. I have no idea what things will really be like, but I am sure that I will get a breath of fresh air and a new perspective on my world.
It is strange that though our concept of the world is vastly different than that of our great grandparents, we still tend to think only in terms of what we experience. There are stories from other lands, of what life is like, but only after one has visited that place can he truly begin to understand that, indeed his view has been slanted. So, here's to expanding vision and knowledge. And with some sensitivity to what's going on, I'll bring back stories worth hearing.
