Cynematik • Cyndi Greening

We spent 33 hours flying back to the U.S. and I arrived more exhausted than I’ve ever been in my life. It took everything I had just to get my mountain of baggage to the car. The ride home was surreal. I couldn’t figure out where I was.

I sat down on the couch and was asleep before dinner was ready. I don’t recall going to bed but know I did because I woke up there in the middle of the night. A dim light was streaming from a doorway to the left. I thought I was back in Livingstone, sleeping in my cot at Taito Falcon Lodge. I thought I was looking at the thatched walls and ceiling. I thought I could make out the mosquito-covered beds in the room. Ahhhh, everyone is safe; sleeping peacefully in their beds. I could relax.

I was snuggling back into the pillow when I remembered I had left Africa. I sat up with a start. Where am I? I just couldn’t make sense of it all. I slept fitfully.

When I woke up, I realized that we were back in the U.S. and Africa was only a memory. I was angry at myself for feeling so discombobulated but, when I looked at the African Voice blog, I realized I was in the same place as some of the others on the crew. I really enjoyed M.K.’s post (below) about letting that other life go. Heath’s post about the little details of that existence was comforting. I know that I’ll never be the same after that month in Zambia. It’s good to know that others were similarly altered.

As the person who was in charge of this whole adventure, I was constantly worried about the safety of the group and the success of the project. I don’t think I realized how stressed I was until we finally got back. I am relieved to have everyone back home. No (serious) injuries or illnesses. Everyone in generally good spirits and wiser for the journey. I find myself wishing we were in something similar to the Kraal so we could gather over breakfast and find out how everyone is doing … but, everyone is now doing that with family and friends. My “nest” is empty and my “babies” are on their own in the world again.

I want to wish each and every one of them well and THANK each of them for the fantastic, unbelievable job they did in Zambia!! There truly aren’t words to express what they had to go through to make this project work. Amazingly, they did it. Individually and collectively. I can think of numerous times in which EACH of them excelled and contributed in profound ways. I hope this is evident in the documentary. They are an amazing and wonderful group and I am lucky to have worked with them! I feel exceedingly blessed for having had the chance to be in Africa with them.