For as long as I can remember I have wanted to go to Africa. Watching all the National Geographic shows as a kid really stuck with me. I was always fascinated by the episodes that had to do with the savannas and jungles of Africa in particular. It seemed like such a different world to me out there and I could only imagine experiencing it firsthand. There was a time that I had wanted to become a field biologist and study animal behavior in Africa. It is funny how life takes you down a different path but I have never lost my desire for the experience. When the opportunity came for me to join a group of my friends on a safari through Kenya and Tanzania in July of 2007, I jumped on it. Nothing was going to stop me from seeing my dream place. I know, some people would not consider Africa to be their dream place but it definitely was for me. One of my favorite places to go when I was a child was the zoo and Africa felt like a 24 hour zoo that had no boundaries. Africa was like none other: from the baboons I followed on my way to breakfast in the morning, the Maasai village I visited and gave out candies and pens to the children, to watching the hunt, sitting in the front seat of a jeep 12 feet from a lion eating, watching the wildebeests migration, sunsets over the Serengeti, sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Masai Mara, and the long drives on the badly paved roads that ended with numerous mysterious empty bottles of wine in the back. I had so much fun and I enjoyed all the excitement feeling like I was right there when everything happened. I can’t wait for the opportunity to go back again. 

My girlfriend Leah and I went to Costa Rica in February of 2007. We attended a networking based gathering for internet companies. That might not sound like a whole lot of fun, but they actually kind of are. I find these gatherings to be the most enjoyable way of doing business and building relationships with other companies. We stayed in Jaco Beach, which isn’t the prettiest of beaches that Costa Rica has to offer but it definitely did the trick. Anything was nicer at that point after the long windy roads you have to take through the mountains to get there. If you are afraid of heights like I am than it is not such a fun journey. Once we were there it was time to get some rest and relaxation in. I soaked up the sun swimming in the pool, we took a long walk on the beach, and ended the day by sharing dinner with a small group of friends. We ventured out the next day to join the group for zip line tours through the forest canopy. My fear of heights was revisited but, I quickly overcame it by focusing on the beauty of my surroundings. Gliding across the canopy while hanging from a wire is such a weird sensation but for a moment you feel like you are flying. In the end, I really enjoyed myself and I am glad I did not chicken out at the last minute. Another group had gone out fishing for the day and caught a large Mahi Mahi. We went to a local sushi restaurant that night and they prepared the fish for us in multiple ways. We spent the rest of our trip taking it easy, having relaxing dinners, and enjoying the nightlife. It was a short trip that only gave me a taste of Costa Rica, but it was nice to get away with my girlfriend and relax with friends. 

Found him out in the courtyard

Jaco Beach

Walk on the beach

Release

Leah and I

Ready to do the zip line

Ready to go…

Hanging w/friends and smoking cigars…a nice way to close the evening

To see more photos from this trip, visit www.ariagiovanni.com