Dugaboy1, that's an outstanding story!
My own interest in Africa was somewhat similar, as my grandfather would take me down to 'Simms Hardware' in Sacramento a few times a year, and they had a large number of African animals on the walls. Simms was mainly a gun store, even though they sold hardware too. I was fascinated since a young boy by all of the African animals they had on the walls.
Fast forward a few years, and I was 17. I was a voracious reader and somehow came upon a book dealer (Ellen Enzler of Trophy Room Books) and purchased an original edition of 'Wanderings of an Elephant Hunter' by WDM Bell. I pad $300 for that book back in 1976, and that was a hell of a lot of money for a young man then (still is!). Anyway, I read through that book in just a few days, and at that point I was doomed as I'd never be satisfied until I hunted in Africa.
It took 7 more years, but at the young age of 24 I made my first safari, a 24 day affair to Deka and Matetsi 3 with Roy Vincent, who was then a PH for Peter Johnstone of Rosslyn Safaris. Twenty six years and three more safaris later, I want to go back more than ever before. I agree with Dugaboy when he said that all other hunting seems mundane when compared to hunting in Africa. While I love hunting here (especially archery elk) I absolutely love hunting dangerous game in Africa.