top of page
Writer's pictureCharline Ribotta

7 (Endless) Weeks Waiting For Rafiki To Arrive: My Doubts, My Motivations, A New Country Soon...

Updated: Aug 10, 2023

I will always remember this week of March when I finally had an opportunity to ship Rafiki to Africa. Roaming in the middle of Turkey, I had to drive back to Europe up to Germany in less than 5 days. On Friday the 25th of March, it was time to say goodbye to Rafiki and to leave it in this Rhino blue container. The vessel left Hamburg 11 days later and my emotions started playing with me.


Back in Istanbul, I couldn’t stay any longer, I felt terribly lonely and…empty. To tell you the truth, I was about to remove myself from social networks. I was lost between the authenticity of this solo expedition and exposing a part of it here, on the Internet. It does not match, I felt something wasn’t right anymore. How can you seek freedom as a wild spirit craving for authenticity, and posting pieces of your journey on a social network which imposes rules and frustration?


I honestly still struggle finding the answer. Let’s see how it goes and when I’ll be tired of obeying this controversial social network.


Anyway, I decided to go back to France, at a friend’s. My friends are extraordinary human beings. They mean so much to me. They’re always here when I need to laugh or to cry, to talk or to complain, at each important stage of my life.


One came to join me all the way from the Middle East and to facilitate this reconnection with Africa. Another one is coming on 22/05 for 3 weeks and it’s going to be incredible. And do you know why? Because I’ll be back to Botswana!


Comments


bottom of page