Captured with the iPhone 4 just before returning to Mara Bush Camp
It is hard to believe I have been living in Kenya for a month already! I have traveled here so often over the past decade that I think it feels more like another visit than actually living here.
From the moment my feet hit the rich red African soil on May 24th, 2004, I longed to live here for at least one year of my life; an experience I needed to have in my lifetime. It has taken me more than 10 years to achieve this, with great sacrifice, hard lessons, and a failed attempt four years ago. When I landed and walked through the front door with my 7 suitcases and boxes, I expected to feel right at home; jump up and down and shout, “I did it, I am living my dream!” Instead, what happened was panic, “OMG, what have I done!?” My instinct was to run, get back on a plane and head home.
Free falling; when you take the final jump to live your dream, put everything on the line, and risk it all, it can be exhilarating yet terrifying. I imagine it would be much like the first time you jump out of an airplane and parachuted down.
I was in a strange place – knew only a handful of people, had no car (still don’t), no TV, Internet was installed but not working, and I had no furniture except for a bed. The next few weeks I was more in a state of panic than joyful bliss. I will always be so grateful to Sunworld Safaris, who embraced me like family, helped me get around Nairobi, showed immense kindness and got me out to the Mara for New Year’s Eve. They knew that what I needed was go to the Mara.
It was incredible to be in the Mara during the off-season (non-migration time) and on New Year’s Eve! With the exception of a few small groups of photographers and locals celebrating the holiday, it was virtually empty; a photographer’s dream. I could spend hours with Malika (a famous cheetah) and her four cubs or work from the Land Cruiser while sitting across from the Rekeero pride, which were of coarse sleeping. Now, I felt at home, and my office was in nature. The best part was when Air Kenya landed on the dirt airstrip, just minutes from bush camp and picked me up. The flight back to Nairobi was a mere 45 minutes, my driver was outside waiting for me, and in 20 minutes I was home.
This is exactly why I moved to Kenya! To have more time to photograph, experience and capture the stories that move me. I have now been back in Nairobi for just over a week, working harder than ever, planning some exciting photographic adventures for 2016. Many of you have been asking about trips in 2016 and I should start listing them in the next few weeks. I am heading to Samburu for a few days, before heading to India on January 26, with Deborah Sandidge and a great group of photographers.
May you all have the courage to pursue your own dreams!
Office in Nature – captured on the iPhone 4 – in the Maasai Mara
Office in Nature – captured on the iphone4 – at Mara Bush Camp
office in Nature – captured on the iPhone 4 – at the house in Nairobi
Piper, Thrilled that you have stuck the transition period out. It’s not easy being a single professional woman out there in a mostly mans world. You are a stunning, delightful, resourceful, caring force.
I can only imagine how delightful it was to be in the Mara off season. Looking forward to your 2016 trip schedule. Get it out there, many of you clients are waiting to sign up. Looking forward to seeing you in May. May the joys of living your dream get better and better.
Well done, Piper!
I think anyone who moves away from the comfort of their familiar home feels like running back as you describe. My daughter did 9 month in Nepal and when alone. She said she thought “What did I do? I could be home with my boyfriend and my job in Canada!”. She had no friends and didn’t know anyone. However she made good friends and it quickly became an experience of a lifetime.
I think you are very brave and courageous Piper! Keep the blog and pictures coming.
Lynn
Inspiring and courageous – thank you for reflecting on your experience with us – You are never alone and a gift to the people and animal kingdom that you portray. We all need each other’s love and trust to make this world a better place.
I love your office(s) in nature! You are so lucky!!! 🙂
its just wonderful Piper…you have jumped into your dreams…
Really great how you are living out your passion.
I am so happy for you Piper. It’s so great you are where you are and living your dream.
Thanks for sharing your story Piper, I can relate to this as I’ve also ‘run home’ a couple of times. Thanks for inspiring me again. I just watched this Ted Talk (below) about having a Great career vs having a Good career, you may have seen it, but if not, you might like it. At the end of one’s life, no-one wants to be left thinking ‘if only I had’. I think you’ll have a great career Piper! I look forward to seeing more and more of your incredible images.
http://www.ted.com/talks/larry_smith_why_you_will_fail_to_have_a_great_career#t-873517
You are really brave to go so far alone, and in such a wild, unknown area of the world! ….I would maybe have loved to do this very thing when I was much younger, but have followed you recently since your group meeting in Anaheim last year. I was so impressed with your photos and love to see the animals you have captured! …Thank you for your beautiful work and sharing it with us! …
You can never go wrong following your dreams.
I ADMIRE & RESPECT U GREATLY; PIPER ! I just don’t think i could up & leave all my family & friends ! BUT I’M THINKING ABOUT MAKING CHANGES IN MY LIFE : because life is so precious ‘; here today , gone today !!! GOD KNOWS ALL & WLL HAVE your back; ; so that is where your FAITH IS GOING TO HAVE TO KICK -IN ! Make the 1st step even if u don;t see the full staircase ! AMEN, amen. GOD BLESS U & YOURS ; Piper