I'd like to share a few thoughts that came to me while I was in Africa.
Many people assume the wilderness is full of drama. That the animals are always killing each other, and there's not much peace.
This was my third time in Africa, and every visit reminds me how peaceful life in the wild can be. Aside from the dramatic wildebeest migration, I’m always struck by how well the animals coexist.
I know you're now wondering: why does the wildebeest migration look dramatic? Well, look at this picture. Is it dramatic or not? No wonder poor Mufasa died.
But let's get back to the topic of wilderness peace. You'll see antelopes and lions in the same field. Giraffes and a cheetah. Or leopards.
One of the most beautiful parts, and one of the big differences between humans and animals, is that animals don't seem to be greedy. They don't kill just for the sake of killing.
They kill when they need to eat, to survive, and to feed their young.
Whenever I'm in African wilderness, I have a feeling that the world is good. When I'm among humans that feeling is sometimes hard to hold on to.
When I arrived in Johannesburg, there was a group of guys at the airport hotel. I asked how their trip was, and they started bragging about killing zebras and other animals. You can imagine the conversation stopped very abruptly. I believe that we should not kill for entertainment. It is, in my eyes, really stupid.
Otherwise, it was really wonderful to spend time with like-minded people and friends. Dr. Sally was an absolutely amazing trip organizer, and if you are thinking about booking a trip of a lifetime, email us and I'll send you her contact. She does these wildlife conservation safaris every year, but there is only limited space for 10 people.
We often hear how hard it is to make friends. When I'm in the so-called civilized world, I often see people staring at their phones on public transit and in public spaces. We don't connect anymore.
This trip was special because we did connect.
I'm so grateful to my colleagues, Dr. Barbara Royal, Dr. Laurie McCauley and Dr. Sally Armstrong, Dr. Penny Wood (aka Dr. Zoolittle), and to their friends and family who joined us. We really became like family.
At the beginning, I have to admit I laughed. As we drove up to the lodge, the staff were all waving at us, and it reminded me of The White Lotus, the TV series about human dysfunction.
As the days went on, it turned out to be fun and beautiful, and thank God, no White Lotus drama. Everyone seemed to find their right place.
I was a bit of the joker in the group. I was also the only guy among seven women, not counting the guide and the tracker, so of course they made fun of me. I was fine with it. I also liked that the women took charge and I didn't need to look after much. They were happy, and I was happy too.
I joke this may have been the first time in my life I was mothered. My mother was a great mom, but she was a busy mother of four with a lot on her plate.
So it was an interesting experience to be around strong women in charge. And I was completely fine with it.
Overall, Africa was amazing. What I'd like to take away is how well the animals get along, how beautifully the whole system works, and how perfectly the cycle of nutrients functions. It's the only place I've visited where that cycle still works the way it should.
That brings me to one last note.
You know I've been adamant about supplementing minerals, vitamins and omega oils. The reason is simple.
We have disrupted the cycle of nutrients that still exists in Africa, where animals roam freely and can choose the plants and nutrients they need. In the so-called civilized world, we can no longer do that. Food is transported far from where it grows, and our agricultural system doesn't have the capacity or resources to return the nutrients to the soil.
That's why I keep taking my Fab4 and other supplements, and why I keep giving them to my dog, Pax.
If you have any questions about them, don't hesitate to email us. My team and I are ready to help.
Thank you so much, and give your dog a hug for me.
