After a grueling number of hours on an airplane with movies and a lack of sleep, Sophie Hawk finally arrived in Nairobi at 5:30 in the morning their time. Upon getting out of her seat, her legs were stiff from the long ride, and she was fatigued. Luckily, she would spend the next 24 hours or so sleeping at a hotel near the University of Nairobi before meeting with a new colleague and mentor, Dr. William Aktins. They worked as a research associate research professor at Emory University. Upon reaching, the two were to drive out to the Savannah to an area near a location called Pride Rock to study the African wildlife. Unlike her new mentor, she had just graduated from Georgia State University with a bachelor's in General Psychology. At the same time, Dr. Atkins held two PhDs in psychology and ethilShe first learned of this opportunity while working on her practicum when she saw a few seminars and signed up for the adventure. Though wildlife and animal behavior were not her areas, she needed a change of pace. Even more so, her uncle Rick and her Aunt Sue only encouraged her to spread her wings.

"Excuse me, madam," whispered the airline's steward. "Aren't you, Sophie Hawkins?" "I am," Sophie replied. "A Miss Mwangi is looking for you." "Thank so much, sir," Sophie returned, stepping out of the aircraft. Upon walking off the plane, with Kenyan folk music blasted in her ears which sounded happy and peaceful. For some reason, she felt right at home. 'Maybe I will end up getting my master's here,' she thought. 'Anthropology had always interested me,' when another voice interrupted her "Ma'am, are you, Sophie Hawk?" Sophie turned around and noticed a tiny dark chocolate woman with a Kenyan accident who was holding a sign. "Yes," Sophie sighed as she looked at the little lady holding a sign. "Are you, Miss Mwangi?" Did Sophie inquire? "I am," the woman answered. "You can call me Makena," she humbly addressed. "How was your flight?" "Delightful," Sophie returned, with her eyes rolling. Makena looking at her and laughed. "I know the feeling; you must be exhausted. Luckily you have time to rest and with all the jet lag and all. The hotel you will be staying in will suit all of your needs. When I drop you off, I will see it that you get plenty of rest.

"Right, I need to get through customs first, "Sophie groaned." "Oh right," Makena acknowledged. "Just make sure you don't have any food from the plane, Sophie." Sophie groaned and dug into her bag that she carried with her for the remaining food that she brought from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Sure enough, she still had an unopened bagel and a few vegetarian options in her bag. "Makena, do you mind if I eat my breakfast beforehand? " "Oh, not at all, but I do need to make sure the other researchers and interns get in safely." Taking a bite of her bagel and fruit, Sophie corresponded in agreement by quickly devouring her food before going through customs. It was there Makena was able to walk Sophie through and that everything went smoothly. During this time, Sophie received her very first stamp in her passport, ever. "Welcome Africa, Miss," the security guard said. Following, Sophie took her first steps onto African soil and gave out a shout. "Yes," she shouted, which attention from other travelers. Yet, Makena saved her with "I think it's her first time on a real adventure." Meanwhile, Sophie looked at the monitor for her flight number and carousel, where she spotted her giant rolling luggage and retrieved it.

Following, the two stepped out into the blinking sun of the morning hours, which was 7:00 AM. Meanwhile, the warm African air hit her for the first time. "You haven't seen anything yet," cheered. "This is just another city like the one you have back home, yes?" She looked at her driver and nodded as they walked to the car in a designated area requiring a parking pass. "As I said, you will have all the opportunities to rest for a few days before your final training and trek into the wild with the research group. "By the way, have you met Dr. Atkins?" "No," Sophie said. "Though he has two fancy degrees," I assure you that he is very unorthodox. Most of our connections at the University of Nairobi said that he is one with nature." "Is that so?" "Yes, quite," Makena informed. "That is why they picked him to be a part of this study because of his knowledge of wildlife survival tactics."

At that moment, Sophie settled into her seat and observed the vehicle in which she rode in. The wheel was on the passenger's side, and she drove on the wrong side of the road. As Sophie looked around, she saw the glimpses of the metropolis in the early morning, which she saw the skyline in the distance and a massive landscape with giraffes grazing. "You like it?" Makena inquired. "Yes, it's beautiful," Sophie expressed as she looked at the wildlife. While she watched, something inside told her that she would spend the right of her life living in the wild among the animals. "So what got you interested in this opportunity," Makena inquired. "I stumbled upon the opportunity while doing a practicum back home in Atlanta and liked the idea so much that I decided to come to spread my wings." "Who knows maybe you will end up liking it here so much that you will go to grad school at the University here. "With your enthusiasm, it can lead to many opportunities." "Was it is you do, Makena?" "I am a research assistant at the University." "Will you be coming along with us?" "No, my job is to make sure you have everything you need," Makena informed while Sophie's eyes continued to wander to grassy fields. While observing, she had a feeling she would living in the wild for the rest of her life. She also had a gut feeling that something would change her life forever too.

"Are you sure that's everything?" Makena asked as she got Sophie checked into her hotel room." "Yes, I am fine," Sophie said as she sat on the sofa in her hotel room. "Ok, I will let you sleep, but hear are you meal vouchers when you get hungry. Also, any room services are us on us," she said, walking out the door. Upon this opportunity, Sophie decided to change out of her broomstick skirt, tank top, and cardigan shirt before getting into a pair of boxer shorts and a t-shirt that read "Go Panthers" from GSU. It was then that she pulled out a hairbrush in which she brushed her long blond hair, which reached her waste before braiding it and brushing her teeth. Finally, she got crawled into bed and shut her eyes, falling asleep immediately.