My first solo trip to Africa was to check off one of the top three items on my bucket list: Victoria Falls. I’d seen the falls in a magazine years before and while I couldn’t afford a trip at the time, I knew I’d see them before I died. I found a hotel on TripAdvisor, booked a flight from home with a layover in Johannesburg, and made it happen.

One of the most memorable moments of my entire travel life happened when I landed. My driver picked me up from the airport and after I was settled in the van, he climbed into the driver’s seat, looked back at me, and said “welcome home.” That statement has stayed with me ever since. It was the first time I truly understood what it means to be part of the diaspora, disconnected from the continent for centuries yet recognized as part of the community the moment I arrived. I wasn’t expecting it and I wasn’t prepared for how much it would mean.

The hotel staff greeted me with a tropical drink while I checked in, and once I was settled in the room I immediately looked up directions to the falls. They were close enough to walk, so I left to go find them. It was a peaceful walk, unhurried and quiet, and then before I could see anything, I could hear them. Words don’t fully describe what I felt when the falls finally came into view. They stretch for a mile and I felt every bit of that, walking and walking with a view the entire time. I took so many pictures that I lost count.

At one point I found a spot with rocks to sit on, and a tour guide who was there with another group came over and offered to take my photos. When people offer to take your photos while you’re traveling solo, you learn to be mindful because sometimes the offer comes with an expectation of a tip. But he made it clear that wasn’t what this was. He just wanted to take the picture because the moment was beautiful. I was glad he did. Some of those photos are among my favorites from any trip I’ve taken.

It started to rain while I was there, so I made my way back to the hotel. I was visiting during dry season, so the falls were actually quite low. I can’t imagine how powerful they must be during rainy season. What I saw already felt like too much to take in.