I have always harbored a deep desire to visit Africa, envisioning it as a vast, beautiful, joyous, exotic, and naturally rich continent inhabited by wonderfully diverse people. The dream finally materialized when we decided to embark on a safari in Kenya, exploring the enchanting landscapes of Masai Mara and Samburu with my sons and sister—a perfect adventure.
Being the meticulous trip planner that I am, I delved into extensive research to prepare for our adventure. The journey from Mexico, however, proved to be quite a logistical challenge, involving an 11-hour flight to Amsterdam, followed by lengthy connections and another 9-hour flight to Nairobi.
Upon arriving, we were greeted by John, our guide—an imposing figure with an abundance of knowledge and a serious demeanor.
Our exploration began with visits to the elephant nursery and giraffe center, moments that filled our hearts with sheer delight.
At that juncture, I found myself in a phase of transition in my personal and professional life, having parted ways with my business partner in my first wedding planning venture due to differing visions. She kept the business name and I yearned for something uniquely mine.
As our safari unfolded, with each passing day spent traversing the sometimes challenging Kenyan roads, I reveled in the company of my family and our insightful guide, John.
Amidst a plethora of conversations on various topics, my intense nature surfaced, especially when it came to deliberating on a name for my new venture.
Days turned into a repetitive cycle of proposing and contemplating names until one day, John, not just our driver but an exceptional guide, suggested “PENZI.” Intrigued, I inquired about its meaning, and he calmly explained that in Swahili, Penzi signifies love, will, or desire. As I uttered the word out loud, its brevity, simplicity, and profound meaning resonated with me—it was exotic and beautiful.
Overwhelmed with enthusiasm, I exclaimed my love for the name, and in that moment, “Penzi Weddings” was born. John, with his quiet demeanor, then humorously requested, “Can we now talk about something else?” From that point onward, our focus shifted to the captivating wildlife.
I remain eternally grateful to John for bestowing upon me the perfect name for my company, Penzi Weddings. For those seeking an extraordinary guide in Kenya, you can find John and contact him.
Email:
jk.ndirangu@gmail.com
Phone: +254 722738285
Written by:
Guadalupe Álvares