 Now famous but in debt to the tune of 15,000 marks or more, she was pleasantly surprised to be awarded the Hindenburg Cup, 10,000 marks and several other monetary awards from the German aeronautical industry which enabled her to continue her career.She also continued to write articles and sell photographs of her travels to raise funds.Free of debt, she took off for Africa using a Heinkel He 71, flying down the east coast, then back up the west coast.