Lake Tanganyika at night
About 10 months ago I asked one of my best friends how he was doing because I knew he wasn’t doing that well. Positive as always, he told me that he was doing well and that (even though he was going through a lot of pain) things would improve with time. After wishing one another a good night I put my phone aside only to realise that he had sent me another message about five minutes later. “How are things your side?” was what he had sent me. Unbelievable, I thought to myself, here he is, barely able to walk but still concerned about how I’m doing. I told him that I was fine and very much enjoying the little house that we had just moved into. Doubting that he would ever see the house for himself I sent him a picture of our cosy living room and I was curious about what he would have to say about it. “Looking good!” was his reply, “but not for you right? I miss the little fire and the open skies”. Astonished I thought to myself that he couldn’t have been more correct at that point and I replied that I would indeed rather have some elephants nearby. “I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what’s going to happen” was his reply and with that we called it a day…
Here I am, sitting next to a crackling fire in the very heart of Africa, looking up at billions of stars that fill the sky. The elephants are never far away from this place and while being out here, our little talk from that night very often crosses my mind. It is incredibly important to have good friends who care about you and it’s important to celebrate their birthday, even when you’re far away. Today is his birthday. And although I’m very far away from my hometown I possibly couldn’t be closer to him as we speak. So let me open a beer, say cheers, stare up at the stars, and celebrate your birthday together with you, my friend.
startrails across the night sky