This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
Africa Trek Feature


American?” I said no, then they as asked again “Are you an American?” No, I’m French! They asked: “What do you think about the war in Afghanistan?” and I had to answer that very carefully!


I was interviewed: “Are you


had changed. How danger, fear and apprehension are dealt with are completely different to beforehand and since. “As I speak to you now I’m a little stressed because my son is walking on a medieval wall that will crumble at any moment, but in Africa I wouldn’t have worried one bit. We had let go of the rail. We had gone astray from security, from materialism, comfort, intimacy, hygiene, hunger, tourism.”


It all sounds too good to be


true, like Africa is a paradise like no other, and is some ways that may be the case, but reality is not lost on Alex. “Of course there are crises and war – I’m not naïve and I’m not stupid. I have studied Africa, with its cultures and politics enough to know what is happening. I know that idyllic place in my mind can quickly become a bloodbath within a week. But we are the mass murderers: the First World War, Second World War, concentration camps. Before people reel of problems in Africa let’s have a little look at ourselves and our own history fi rst. “We were not scared of them and they gave the best of themselves. We walked through war-torn areas. War veterans in Zimbabwe were good to us. Rival tribal fi ghters in northern Kenya were good to us. The only thing was not to be caught by one group when with the others –


58 www.activinstinct.com


then you’re in trouble! “Everyone said we would be


attacked because Sonia was there, she would be targeted and raped. I’m not saying that couldn’t have happened, but it didn’t. In fact, she was my protection. People were amazed this woman was doing this trek. Local women would come running up to her to help her, feed her, take care of her, I was merely her follower.


She said: “We spoke only about sex – they wanted to know everything, so I answered. What can I say, they liked my answers!” A year-long trek in Madagascar is scheduled for November. It will be the fi rst time in seven years Alex has embarked on a long-term walk. “Lots of ideas are stored up in my mind but I can’t tell which will come fi rst, it’s all about circumstance. We wanted to walk the Andes but Sonia became pregnant during the preparation, we planned for a year a long walk of Japan but just before, the Tsunami hit.


“I will never forget that even during the pain that we suffered on that trek in Africa, we were so happy! It was the best time of our life. The people we shared it with were happy, even in poverty. We see miserable people at home all the time, on our doorstep in France, people in relative comfort that you walk past every day at


“In the Sudan we got split. I was sat in a square room with nothing in it. I was interviewed: “Are you American?” I said no, then they as asked again “Are you an American?” No, I’m French! They asked: “What do you think about the war in Afghanistan?” and I had to answer that very carefully! Then in the other room I could hear Sonia howling with laughter! Laughing so much! The next morning I asked her what were you talking about?


home, but not in Africa. They are hard-working people, who are strong believers, full of hope and optimism. How can we not go back?” It is diffi cult to disagree. And


with that Alex thanks me for helping him get to the top of the mountain he has climbed, but while he may have reached the top, his journey continues.


Alexandre is an ambassador for Hi-Tec.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80