Today is the day we’ve been waiting for a long time.

For some people, it might be around 2 years from the start of Obama’s campaign. For others, perhaps 4 years, from the start of Bush’s last term. I know some people have been waiting for this day during Bush’s whole 8 years of presidency. Then, many others say they’ve been waiting for this moment for the past 36 years since Martin Luther King told the world about his dream. But really, it can easily be said that this moment has been coming for this country’s entire time in existence.

The feeling you get from everyone you run into (in New York at least) is that we have a chance to take this country into a bold new direction by all working together. It’s a pretty awe inspiring notion.

I suppose we need to remember to get over that awe and get out there and make a difference.

As a person who inherintly doesn’t like to fly. This is a day I should remember.

It’s a day where a plane loses both of its engines shortly after lift-off and a talented captain and his flight crew set it down expertly in the Hudson saving everyone on board. Astounding.

I had the opportunity to head to southern Africa to spend the holidays mostly out in the bush tracking animals and shooting them with my camera. It was beyond anything I had imagined up to that point. The camps we stayed at were rustic “tents” but large with king-sized beds, open showers and double vanities. The people working at the camps, especially in Botswana, were fantastically good natured and had thought of our every want. The trackers and rangers were extremely knowledgabe and seemed to enjoy sharing their time with us whether we were out in the bush or having some after dinner drinks.

And then there were the animals… especially in Botswana, there were animals everywhere. Under every bush, hiding in every tree, roaming every open space. It was continuously breathtaking and sometimes more than just a little frightening. I certainly learned a new respect for elephants. Perhaps “respect” isn’t the right word… it would probably be more honest to say “fear.” Then there were the lions, leopards, cheetah, African wild cats, zebra, giraffe, wild dogs, kudu, tsesabe, servals, caracal, jackals, hippo, wart hogs, baboon, monkeys, monitor lizards, hyena, all the impala, the eagles, the hawks, the vultures, all the tons of other birds in every shape, size and color you could imagine… plus more. All under the most amazing sky.

Specifically, we went to four camps. In Botswana, we went to Chitabe Lediba and Savuti Camp. The latter being based on the Savuti Channel with was running for the first time in 25 years. In South Africa they were Camp Jabulani (not somewhere I would recommend), and Exeter Dulini (pictured).

One final thing was that I managed to geotag all my photos. I should remember that…

They say that once you’ve gotten the sands of Africa in your heart, you can’t help but return. I think it will be pretty easy to remember to head back as soon as possible.