Fresh out of nursing school and craving something beyond the ordinary, Cathy L. Patrenos sold everything she owned and set off for Africa in 1974. What began as a thirty-day safari turned into a yearlong adventure that would reshape her understanding of the world and herself.

Traveling in an old British army truck with a group of strangers, Cathy forged friendships, faced hardship and, unexpectedly, found love along the dusty roads. From Egypt’s ancient wonders to South Africa’s stark apartheid reality, the journey took her through breathtaking landscapes and turbulent political times.

Through deserts, danger and moments of soul-stirring beauty, Cathy’s spirit and sense of humor carried her forward. Told with honesty and wit, THE SPLENDOR AND CHAOS OF AFRICA is a heartful memoir of an unforgettable adventure at a time when travel meant total surrender to the unknown.

The Splendor and Chaos of Africa