I was in an intense car ride across the Sahara not knowing what to expect when all of a sudden I looked through the binoculars and spotted a lion less than ten feet away. Butterflies throughout my body and not being able to look the animals in the eyes took my breath away. That was the moment when I realized how amazing life truly is.

As hours passed and bumps slammed us against the rough car, we started to lose hope that we were not going to see any African animals. Driving with nine girls and one boy on the “wrong” side of the road sure kept us awake and the driver was soon annoyed. We were not prepared for the switch from helping people in Uganda to spending days in a car getting covered with dirt. All of a sudden, movement in the distance was spotted. People started screaming and everyone stood on their seat to get a glimpse of the first sight of African wild animals. Our driver started driving towards them, and then turned off the engine to not spook the animals. We stood there silently, amazed by the giraffes and zebras before us, and realized that this amazing experience was just beginning. Taking thousands of pictures to prove to my friends at home that I was literally next to these wild animals, I didn’t have a worry in the world.

We got to the desert late and were supposed to be at camp; but being American tourists we pretended that our car broke down just to spend more time on the night route. While rushing to beat the sunset, we noticed that our car started to back up and there in the bushes laid a mommy lion with her two cubs. Seeing these animals just made us that much more excited for the safari experience coming the next day. After we got to the tents we were fast asleep. The night was short because we were all too excited to get out and go explore.

The next morning I saw my favorite animal, an elephant. Seeing the elephant a car length before me and watching it take care of her babies made my heart shine. Another memory I will never forget is getting to watch migration of wildebeests and zebras. Being so young and having the experience to see the wildebeests and zebras racing across the river trying not to get eaten by an alligator or hippo, taught me to respect everything that is a part of my life. I thought I had seen all the animals there were to see, but I never had experienced them in the wild. We were singing to our own beats when I looked out in the grass and there less than ten feet away was a male and female lion. The safari driver, calling all the other vehicles to come look, made me feel so honored that I was the first one to spot these two precious wild animals. This made me feel like the trip was now complete, I saw more animals than expected, and could not ask for a better best friend to share the moment with. But wait, it wasn’t over yet, we stilled had another day to explore the wild. The next day at breakfast we saw wildebeests sprinting before a lion when suddenly the lion snatched a wildebeest and had a feast. At first we felt bad for the wildebeests but then it clicked; this was a state of nature, of life, and we were young adults that had this amazing experience.

After two life changing weeks it was time for the several day plane ride home. I spent hours filling out pages in my journal and reflecting on my trip to Africa. Starting in Uganda, we built a bridge to help students get to school, we went home with students to experience their lives, and we spent many hours at clinics, orphanages and disabled homes giving help in any way needed. I learned many life lessons while watching the animals in the wild. The summer of 2013 was definitely an experience I will remember for the rest of my life. Through this experience I learned to be determined and dedicated because I realized how precious life is.