Woman Who Left Texas to Live in the African Bush Says She Checks Her Bed for Snakes Before Falling Asleep to Hyenas (Exclusive)

**From Wall Street to Wilderness: Alex Blumenfeld’s New Life in Zimbabwe**

Alex Blumenfeld, a former finance professional from New York City, has made a significant life change by relocating to a remote wildlife reserve in Zimbabwe. This bold move has entirely transformed her daily routine and brought her closer to nature in ways she never anticipated.

Blumenfeld’s evenings now revolve around an elaborate bedtime ritual that ensures her safety in a region teeming with wildlife. Each night, she meticulously checks her thatched-roof cottage for any unwanted guests. This includes carefully inspecting under the sheets, inside the pillowcases, beneath the mattress, and around the bed frame for snakes, spiders, or other creatures that may have sought refuge indoors. Once she is satisfied that her sleeping space is secure, she spreads her mosquito net, tucks it under the mattress, and bids farewell to the day’s light.

“My cottage looks like something straight out of a fairy tale,” Blumenfeld remarked. While the picturesque setting allows her to experience the beauty of nature, it also means occasional encounters with snakes and other small animals, a reality she has come to accept. “I actually think it’s a really good sign,” she added. “It means this place is still truly wild.”

When Blumenfeld first shared a glimpse into her life on social media, she had no idea of the response it would generate. A video detailing her distinctive bedtime routine quickly went viral, attracting over 4.5 million views. “The actual getting-into-bed routine… has gotten a lot of social media attention as it’s a bit different,” she explained. This informal sharing of her life has connected her with a wider audience seeking a glimpse into her extraordinary lifestyle.

Yet, her nightly routine is just a fraction of what life on the reserve entails. With the onset of winter in Zimbabwe, where darkness falls around 5:30 p.m., Blumenfeld takes care to return to her cottage before sunset. The risk of encountering wildlife increases significantly after dusk, making her cautious while moving from her car to her home. Armed with a flashlight, she scans the area before stepping through the door, ensuring that no wild animals are lingering nearby.

Once inside, her evenings unfold in a way that while simple, provides comfort and familiarity. Blumenfeld rolls out her yoga mat for some bodyweight workouts and prepares her meals using a camping stove and other appliances she brought from the United States. After dinner, she often spends time editing videos for social media or catching up with work from earlier in the day, maintaining a connection to her previous life despite the drastic change in surroundings.

Amidst the challenges of her new lifestyle, Blumenfeld finds solace in small comforts. “I packed a ridiculous number of products from the U.S.,” she noted. The inventory she stocks during trips back home serves as a tie to her former life, providing a sense of normality amid the extraordinary environment surrounding her.

Gradually, Blumenfeld has built bonds with the wildlife that inhabits the reserve. What once felt extraordinary has transformed into a warm familiarity. She has made friends with a resident hippo she affectionately named Herbert, who frequently visits her cottage. “Seeing him has become part of my normal routine,” Blumenfeld said with a smile.

She also enjoys the company of Frank, a crested francolin, who surprises her by entering her home uninvited. “The first time it happened, I was completely shocked, but now it barely fazes me when I hear him chirping in my living room,” she recounted.

Adapting to the sounds of the bush was a more gradual process for Blumenfeld. On her first night in the reserve, she experienced a jarring awakening to the calls of hyenas nearby. “If you’ve never heard hyenas before, it’s honestly a pretty terrifying sound,” she recalled. The eerie noises startled her, making her question whether they were safe. With reassurance from another intern, Blumenfeld calmed her nerves, eventually finding solace in the very sounds that once frightened her.

Reflecting on her journey, Blumenfeld expressed how cherished these nocturnal calls have become. “I actually miss them when it’s quiet,” she admitted. The calls of hyenas now resonate as one of her favourite sounds in her new home—an indication of how profoundly her experience has shifted her perspective on life in the wild.

Blumenfeld’s transition from Wall Street to the wilderness has not only enriched her existence but has also sparked a widespread fascination, as millions follow her journey online. Her captivating narrative illustrates a life lived in harmony with nature, celebrating the unpredictable beauty of wildlife and the simple joys that come with an extraordinary lifestyle choice.