African journey
On December 30, 2015, Cao left for Africa from New York, with the first stop being Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. The experience in Nairobi totally changed his previous imaginings of Africa. “African people were very kind to me,” he said.
During the New Year holiday, Cao and two other Chinese outdoor enthusiasts went to the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. He was told that lions and cheetahs were less than 10 meters from him but felt no fear. This was the first time he had been near zebras, wildebeests, bisons, rhinos, hippos and crocodiles.
“I heard the roar of wild animals and smelt the aroma of grasslands, which recalled my memory of watching Animal World, a documentary by China Central Televsion when I was young. Finally I had realized my dream to travel in Africa,” Cao said.
Villagers in Maasai Mara were astonished when they heard Cao was blind. In the following days the locals looked after for him and ensured his safety.
In April 2016, Cao traveled to Zanzibar Island in Tanzania, which is particularly memorable to him. During the two-hour boat trip, a local youth took care of him, unloading his bags when they arrived.
His helper refused a tip, leaving Cao very impressed.
“The young man told me he did what he should do. He hoped I would help someone else who needed help in the future,“Cao said.
In the Stone Town of Zanzibar Island, Cao touched turtles and ran after dolphins. Leaving Tanzania, he went to Uganda, Ethiopia, Malawi and Zambia, where he experienced the majesty of Victoria Falls.
“That was my first experience of a waterfall. Though I got thoroughly wet I can’t forgot the happiness it brought me. Instead of saying I saw the falls, I should say the falls saw me,” Cao said.
On arriving in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa, Cao gave a talk at a local international high-school. He shared his experiences and challenges with the students, telling them that life was like a blank canvas and each person was the creator of his own journey.
“For me, it is not as easy as you are because I am blind. But I painted with my heart. Now I have realized my dream and I believe everyone of you can also realize your own dream,” Cao said to great applause.
When asked his impression of African people, he replied without hesitation: enthusiastic, friendly and kind.
“I will go back to Africa in July, to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and visit Cape Town in South Africa. If possible, I also want to return to Mozambique to again experience its people’s enthusiasm,” Cao said.
While reflecting on his travels, Cao recalled how he once attended a Muslim funeral in Tanzania. There was no crying at the funeral. It made him rethink life and death.
“Life is short and we need to challenge ourselves. Traveling around the world is my dream and I hope my experience can influence more people to chase their dreams. Though I can’t see the scenery on my journey, I am able to visualize it based on the descriptions of others around me. Although I can’t see the world, I want the world to see me clearly.” glj@chinafrica.cn