Real-Life Magic

My recent trip to Africa ignited my passion for traveling, and I don’t think this flame will ever die. What I discovered through traveling is that the world is a much more beautiful place than I had ever imagined. There are many places I have been to, from Costa Rica to Spain to Mexico. All of these places hold their own unique beauty, but my heart belongs to Africa. Much of what I had heard of Africa was true. Many of the houses are not what would be considered livable by an American standard. In a nearby village from where I was living, a lot of the homes had no running water. These aspects never astonished me; what did was the people. These people welcomed me like I was a long-lost friend. What shocked me about these people even more was the joy they emanated. Although they owned little, yet their happiness was immense. Even the orphans I met in Swaziland radiated this joy. Like a ray of light, these people lit up my world brighter than I had ever seen it.
The students I traveled with touched my heart as well. I am a shy person, but I made so many friends on this trip who I felt like I had known my whole life. They are what completed my trip and made it one I will never forget.
Lastly, the beauty of Africa is breathtaking. The landscape is a mixture of jagged mountains and sparkling waterfalls interspersed with vast grasslands. There's something magical about Africa that I cannot explain. It felt like I was living in a dream. I will never be the same after traveling the roads that our ancestors once walked upon. Africa is the cradle of mankind, and it is a beautiful place.