Monday, May 31, 2010
The Dutch Have Arrived
So we had our first guests in our OCT campsite. A large group of overlanders arrived late at night and made quite an impression. While brushing our teeth the older gentleman of the group came out of his tent in his underwear (hanes for those who are curious) and proceeded to fix his tent. Nudity does not appear to be an issue with this group because the next morning a mostly nude women came out of the shower and crossed to her tent.
Neck Deep In Water
The village we have been working in recently is called Eretsha. It means neck deep in water in Satswana.
Very fitting considering 70% of the area is flooded.
Very fitting considering 70% of the area is flooded.
The Chicken Dance
I need to write a screenplay about our adventures in the bush, because honestly no one will believe this crap. LOL
So our translator brings the aforementioned chicken to camp. He proceeds to dance with the chicken while sinigns to it. The song went something like "please don't be mad at me chicken, but I plan to chop your head off real soon." He was making a show of killing that freakin chicken for our sake. It was hilarious. Wish I have it on video.
Did I mention that he had had several black label beers before the beheading????
So our translator brings the aforementioned chicken to camp. He proceeds to dance with the chicken while sinigns to it. The song went something like "please don't be mad at me chicken, but I plan to chop your head off real soon." He was making a show of killing that freakin chicken for our sake. It was hilarious. Wish I have it on video.
Did I mention that he had had several black label beers before the beheading????
Chicken Run
How many grad students does it take to catch a village chicken? 3
How long does it take 3 grad students to catch a village chicken? 45 minutes
Pictures of the chicken run.........priceless
How long does it take 3 grad students to catch a village chicken? 45 minutes
Pictures of the chicken run.........priceless
Chicken Run
How many grad students does it take to catch a village chicken? 3
How long does it take 3 grad students to catch a village chicken? 45 minutes
Pictures of the chicken run.........priceless
Becoming Vegetarian
We were all very excited to hear that we would have chicken for dinner. My excitement quickly faded when I saw the chicken......it was still alive. I had to leave camp while they killed and feathered the thing, but then I had to do my part. So Shylock and I proceeded to gut and chop the chicken. Yes, I will eat the chicken. But meat looks completely different to me now. No more meat for me in the states. Don't care if this makes me a hypocrite.
Protein
It has been awhile since we had any good protein. Saw a live cow today and my mouth started to water. That cannot be a good sign.
OCT
We have been working in OCT. The first village we worked at was called Eretsha, which I am sure 99.99% of the world has never heard of. I thought our first community was poor but that was nothing compared to what we have seen. People that make 0 a year, live purely off their crops and if those fail they don't eat. Period. Makes our petty arguments at camp about food and water seem pathetic. Speaking of those arguments.....food is at a minimum around our camp. We have had no protein in 2 days and it is making us a bit cranky. Not to mention we have a lazy SOB guide / translator. But no complaining allowed on the blog so.....
Our campsite while rural, meaning no warm water or electricity, is steps away form the okavango river. How many people get to say they camped or took a ferry across the delta? Pretty amazing. Its also amazing that people in our group can see this and yet complain the entire time. No names listed but the name rhymes with ring. LOL. Guess that gives the answer away.
We have had great research assistants in Eretsha. It is always hard to guage the first day who will work well with out situation. I can just imagine if someone came to our house and asked me to take a 1 hour survey on my livelihood. I would probably tell them to scram.
We can hear the hippo everyday but he has yet to make an appearance. No croc sightings as well. I hear that hippos are the most aggressive of all the wildlife we will see, so I am pretty good with the fact that we have not seen any.
Remember all these are old postings that I have had stored on my computer until I got internet access. Sorry bout that!
Our campsite while rural, meaning no warm water or electricity, is steps away form the okavango river. How many people get to say they camped or took a ferry across the delta? Pretty amazing. Its also amazing that people in our group can see this and yet complain the entire time. No names listed but the name rhymes with ring. LOL. Guess that gives the answer away.
We have had great research assistants in Eretsha. It is always hard to guage the first day who will work well with out situation. I can just imagine if someone came to our house and asked me to take a 1 hour survey on my livelihood. I would probably tell them to scram.
We can hear the hippo everyday but he has yet to make an appearance. No croc sightings as well. I hear that hippos are the most aggressive of all the wildlife we will see, so I am pretty good with the fact that we have not seen any.
Remember all these are old postings that I have had stored on my computer until I got internet access. Sorry bout that!
We are back after these commercial messages
Well it has been a while since the last entry and it is for two reasons. (1) We have been busy wroking and (2) there has been no internet. So be prepared for a bunch of odd postings from the last 11 days!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Well.......
We are delayed. Jings stuff did not arrive in Maun so we are staying another night at least. It is not cheap to stay here and Jessica and I are worried about money. $25 a day per diem is not much. I have some money saved but it was to be used for Europe.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Last Night in Maun
Our team will be complete tomorrow and we will head out for OCT. It will be a while until we have internet again.
Sorry to post so many entries tonight. I knew that it would be my last chance for a while.
Might try to post pictures. But it is getting late and I am sleepy.
Sorry to post so many entries tonight. I knew that it would be my last chance for a while.
Might try to post pictures. But it is getting late and I am sleepy.
One last note on Sankoyo
I forgot to tell one of the better stories about Sankoyo.
One our last night sleeping in the village the dogs started to go crazy at about 3 in the morning. All of us were in our tents sound asleep. We are not 100% sure what went down just behind our fence, but a dog totally bit the dust. Elephants (probably not), lions?, hyennas ?, who knows.
Dog = Bait in Africa
What did I do? Honestly, I was not overly worried about the poor dog. I layed in my sleeping back calculating 2 things.
(1) How tall was the fence protecting us?
(2) How high can lions jump?
One our last night sleeping in the village the dogs started to go crazy at about 3 in the morning. All of us were in our tents sound asleep. We are not 100% sure what went down just behind our fence, but a dog totally bit the dust. Elephants (probably not), lions?, hyennas ?, who knows.
Dog = Bait in Africa
What did I do? Honestly, I was not overly worried about the poor dog. I layed in my sleeping back calculating 2 things.
(1) How tall was the fence protecting us?
(2) How high can lions jump?
Not what it seems
People who think that we are on this great trek through Africa are sorely mistaken.
Here is what it is like. Really. Keep in mind I am not complaining, just correcting peoples viewpoints.
Hot. Sandy. Dusty. Wildlife are great yes, but laying in bed listening to a lion kill a dog ummm not so much. People constantly asking you for money. Just a few of the perks.
Is it amazing yes! Is it a great safari vacation....not even close.
Here is what it is like. Really. Keep in mind I am not complaining, just correcting peoples viewpoints.
Hot. Sandy. Dusty. Wildlife are great yes, but laying in bed listening to a lion kill a dog ummm not so much. People constantly asking you for money. Just a few of the perks.
Is it amazing yes! Is it a great safari vacation....not even close.
Back in Maun
Came back to Maun for 3 nights. The rest of our group is joining us soon and we are entering all our data.
Still have taken no training samples. They are coming though Cerian. Maybe tomorrow when Brian meets with the chief to return the results.
Still have taken no training samples. They are coming though Cerian. Maybe tomorrow when Brian meets with the chief to return the results.
No Comment
ATE ELEPHANT!
And it tasted darn good after several days of bread and peanut butter. Wonder if I will ever eat peanut butter again after this trip. Please let it be gone from the house when I arrive home.
And it tasted darn good after several days of bread and peanut butter. Wonder if I will ever eat peanut butter again after this trip. Please let it be gone from the house when I arrive home.
Whats in a name
American has had its influence in Africa there is no doubt.
The names of people here are amazing. The chief is Timex. Our translators are: France, Zume, Flora, Al, and BeBe.
Other names we have come across. Republican. Democrate. Computer. Democracy. Mirror.
Hmmm....Odd......
The names of people here are amazing. The chief is Timex. Our translators are: France, Zume, Flora, Al, and BeBe.
Other names we have come across. Republican. Democrate. Computer. Democracy. Mirror.
Hmmm....Odd......
The work actually begins (5-13-20)
There was a whole new light to the group today. After what was potentially a disasterous start to our community visits we all rebounded nicely. I had a new translator, who woker out much better than my first girl (Flora).
We completed 4 surveys together, and I felt like they were sound. I know people are laughing at us, but it seems that they are now interest in what we are doing. Many poeple were waiting for us to arrive, they would have chairs ready. It is somewhat depressing to me that an 80 year old women insists that i take the chair, and goes so far as to say she will not speak with me if I don't take her seat. The first house I talked with was a grandmother taking care of her 10 grandchildren, her 8 adult children are living in Maun and sending money for the kids. Almost 100% of her income was sent from the kids. It was amazing. My second interview was a women who wanted me to buy her baskets. They were great, and I almost did buy one but it was a lot of money to me (400 pula). The third interview was the poorest people in the community, they make less than 2000 pula a year (7 pula = 1 dollar). Could you live on a couple hundred a year in the states?????
We completed 4 surveys together, and I felt like they were sound. I know people are laughing at us, but it seems that they are now interest in what we are doing. Many poeple were waiting for us to arrive, they would have chairs ready. It is somewhat depressing to me that an 80 year old women insists that i take the chair, and goes so far as to say she will not speak with me if I don't take her seat. The first house I talked with was a grandmother taking care of her 10 grandchildren, her 8 adult children are living in Maun and sending money for the kids. Almost 100% of her income was sent from the kids. It was amazing. My second interview was a women who wanted me to buy her baskets. They were great, and I almost did buy one but it was a lot of money to me (400 pula). The third interview was the poorest people in the community, they make less than 2000 pula a year (7 pula = 1 dollar). Could you live on a couple hundred a year in the states?????
The Last Laugh (5-14-10)
It appears that the community of Sankoyo has had the last laugh. The shower has been locked in the village since we arriced. Brian talked me into talking a bucket shower from the stand pipie. It is in the back corner behind the trust building. I waited until it was dark, and the guard had turned in for the night. I went behind the short brick wall, stripped down and.........two cars pull into the trust office both filled with people. So I crounched behind the wall, lauging like crazy (and cursing Brian). Everyone else is around the campfire, about 25ft away, laughing like crazy knowing I was stuck nude behind a wall. I had to stay down there for 10 minutes before the people left. I quickly finished my scrub and put on my pjs.
When I walked back to the campfire everyone started laughing, including myself. So I sit down and Jessica leans towards me to say something to me.... then she says you smell like onions. Turns out the dishes had been done in my small wash basin and therefore I smelled like the dinned I had just cooked. I had to take another blasted bath. No people the second time though.
When I walked back to the campfire everyone started laughing, including myself. So I sit down and Jessica leans towards me to say something to me.... then she says you smell like onions. Turns out the dishes had been done in my small wash basin and therefore I smelled like the dinned I had just cooked. I had to take another blasted bath. No people the second time though.
Sense of Communoty
Community has taken on a whole new definition to me after our first day of work in the village. We say with our translator Ta Ta and 5 members of the community proceeded to tell us the surname of every member of the community. I don't even know my neighbors last name in the state.
Third world hmmmmm........makes you think. Who really has there priorities backwards.
Third world hmmmmm........makes you think. Who really has there priorities backwards.
Not wanted
Do you ever get that feeling when you are not wanted in an area and everyone is laughing at you behind your back or under their breath? We are definitely not wanted in this community. Our first round of surveys were a disaster in my opinion. To many researchers come through here and ask them questions. This is crazy. Can I please start doing my training samples now????
Not reporting on the events of the day. To depressing. When do we go back to Maun?
Maybe it is my translator. I have asked for a new one for tomorrow.
I think Jessica is really upset....and I don't blame her. We started collection for her dissertation today, and it was a joke. Don't think we can use any of it.
Not reporting on the events of the day. To depressing. When do we go back to Maun?
Maybe it is my translator. I have asked for a new one for tomorrow.
I think Jessica is really upset....and I don't blame her. We started collection for her dissertation today, and it was a joke. Don't think we can use any of it.
Maun (Day 3)
Our last day in Maun for now. We will be back. Time for the actual work to start. I headed to HOORC (an extension of the University of Botswana) before we left. I was basically beggin for data, and it seems to have paid off. We shall see when I get back to the states. However, I did manage to get my plug converter stuck in the plug in the lounge. So when no one was in the lounge i would try to pry it out, yell at it, ect. But when people would enter I would quickly retake my seat and act as if nothing was wrong. Tim free the adapted in the end.
The drive to the village was easy. I slept part of the way until the road became to bumpy.
We stated training our research assistants. The girls were a bit hard to train as they would not stop giggling. My girl speaks english rather well. Truth be told she was not the one i would have chosen from the group, but I did not do the choosing. After training it was getting late and we wanted to start early the next morning so we quickly set up camp. Jessica and I made dinner and we relaxed to talk about the work ahead. Since no one in the group will read this I am going to state an opinion I would never say to the group. THE SURVEY IS OVERLY HARD AND THE TABLES ARE A MESS. It needs to be simplified a lot, but I think I am in the minority with that opinion.
Dogs are not pets I have learned. There is no love shown to them. Which bothers me tremendously. They run free, and are underfed. Which given the fact that most people don't have enoguh food does not suprise me. As one persion called them yesterday, they are lion bait. People don't treat them like pets, they shove them out of the way, throw sticks at them to get them to move, and totally ignore their needs. I think of my two puppies at home, one of who has issues because she was mistreated prior to our adopting her, and honestily it is nothing compared to this. We are so lucky, and we take it for granted. The little babies (puppies) are running around free everywhere, I may take 1 or 200 home with me. I know this it is wrong to feel this way when people are hungry and poor but I have a soft spot for animals.
The drive to the village was easy. I slept part of the way until the road became to bumpy.
We stated training our research assistants. The girls were a bit hard to train as they would not stop giggling. My girl speaks english rather well. Truth be told she was not the one i would have chosen from the group, but I did not do the choosing. After training it was getting late and we wanted to start early the next morning so we quickly set up camp. Jessica and I made dinner and we relaxed to talk about the work ahead. Since no one in the group will read this I am going to state an opinion I would never say to the group. THE SURVEY IS OVERLY HARD AND THE TABLES ARE A MESS. It needs to be simplified a lot, but I think I am in the minority with that opinion.
Dogs are not pets I have learned. There is no love shown to them. Which bothers me tremendously. They run free, and are underfed. Which given the fact that most people don't have enoguh food does not suprise me. As one persion called them yesterday, they are lion bait. People don't treat them like pets, they shove them out of the way, throw sticks at them to get them to move, and totally ignore their needs. I think of my two puppies at home, one of who has issues because she was mistreated prior to our adopting her, and honestily it is nothing compared to this. We are so lucky, and we take it for granted. The little babies (puppies) are running around free everywhere, I may take 1 or 200 home with me. I know this it is wrong to feel this way when people are hungry and poor but I have a soft spot for animals.
Maun (Day 2)
Our time in Maun was used to figure out what vilalge we would visit first. It was our original goal to head to Khwai and quickly start to work. After meeting with the manager of the Trust it was apparent that Khwai is a bit unstable right now and probably not the best place for us to stay. The board members of the village are reballing and therefore being removed. That left us scrambling. Brain and Eric meet with the manager of Sankoyo, a village near Khwai. He was more than willing to let us enter the village but we had to have the chiefs approval. None of us really understand the governance behind the communities there is a trust, board, and chief. No one can tell us who does what though.
One cool thing of note: Khwai is on the move. Unprecedented floods are causing the village to relocate. Eric and I have been talking over going to look at the relocation and talk to those who make the decision to move. Maybe nexy year when things are more stable there, but it would be cool to het there now.
So it was decided that we would meet with the chief of Sankoyo. Chief Timex. Jessica and I had to go buy traditional wraps in order to meet with him. We will have to continue to wear these throughout our stay in the villages. I need to get a picture with us wearing them, they are really nice looking. Plus, there are comfortable!!! I might have a whole new wardrobe of wraps when I get home.
Meeting with the chied was a but uncomfortable at first. My first glimpse of the village we would temorarily call home was a bit scary. I just kept thinking, we are so lucky and we take that for granted. Brian and I spoke the majority of the time with the chief. Brian on what the project is about, and I talked about climate change in the region. I really have no clue what the chied understood. Several times Brian stopped me to say I was either talking to fast or using to techinical language. I had simplified the presentation but I did not want them to think I was talking down to them. It does not matter much, we got permission and planned to start the surveys the following day. When we were taken to the campsites at Sankoyo, I prayed that we would stay in Maun. It was only 1.5 hours away. But no luck, 2-3 nights behind a building with a tall fence (to protect us from Lions, wish I was joking). It does have a toilet though so I cannot complain too much.
One interesting item of note: They were cleaning an impala at our campsite when we arrived. I may loos a lot of weight in the field.
We headed back to Maun around dusk. I think Eric and Brian were nervous about leaving at that time. The road was dirt but very smooth and all went well. We did see 4 elephants (2 calves that were so cute), but they were far into the Mopane Forest.
One cool thing of note: Khwai is on the move. Unprecedented floods are causing the village to relocate. Eric and I have been talking over going to look at the relocation and talk to those who make the decision to move. Maybe nexy year when things are more stable there, but it would be cool to het there now.
So it was decided that we would meet with the chief of Sankoyo. Chief Timex. Jessica and I had to go buy traditional wraps in order to meet with him. We will have to continue to wear these throughout our stay in the villages. I need to get a picture with us wearing them, they are really nice looking. Plus, there are comfortable!!! I might have a whole new wardrobe of wraps when I get home.
Meeting with the chied was a but uncomfortable at first. My first glimpse of the village we would temorarily call home was a bit scary. I just kept thinking, we are so lucky and we take that for granted. Brian and I spoke the majority of the time with the chief. Brian on what the project is about, and I talked about climate change in the region. I really have no clue what the chied understood. Several times Brian stopped me to say I was either talking to fast or using to techinical language. I had simplified the presentation but I did not want them to think I was talking down to them. It does not matter much, we got permission and planned to start the surveys the following day. When we were taken to the campsites at Sankoyo, I prayed that we would stay in Maun. It was only 1.5 hours away. But no luck, 2-3 nights behind a building with a tall fence (to protect us from Lions, wish I was joking). It does have a toilet though so I cannot complain too much.
One interesting item of note: They were cleaning an impala at our campsite when we arrived. I may loos a lot of weight in the field.
We headed back to Maun around dusk. I think Eric and Brian were nervous about leaving at that time. The road was dirt but very smooth and all went well. We did see 4 elephants (2 calves that were so cute), but they were far into the Mopane Forest.
Forgotten Story
There is a very cute story form the Rhino Santuary that I wanted to add.
On the first game drive there was a springbok that was having a serious argument with a bush. I guess the bush had talked bad about its mother or something. The silly thing was halfway in the bush, trying to gore it with its antlers. I could not stop laughing.
On the first game drive there was a springbok that was having a serious argument with a bush. I guess the bush had talked bad about its mother or something. The silly thing was halfway in the bush, trying to gore it with its antlers. I could not stop laughing.
Maun (5-9-10)
Funally made it to Maun after a long and at times terrifying drive. After another great game drive this morning in the rhino sanctuary we took off for Maun. It was a 6 hour drive in a car that had no AC. I have learned one very important thing about being in Africa. IF YOU SEE A GAS STATION STOP AND FILL UP, CHECK THE WATER / OIL. NO MATTER WHAT. On our 6 hour trop we saw a grand total of 1 gas station. Luckily I am with experienced people who knew to stop.
On our trip to Maun we pasted these awesome salt flats. It used to be the delta thousands of years ago. Next we approached the Kalahari Game Reserve. We only drove by but it was an awesome sight. I drove a lot of the way. Caroline started for about 1.5 hours and I finished up.
I guess that I should mention why the drive was terrifying....I did mention it was terrifying right. LOL. Animals in this country, and possibly this continent, are free to wanderacross the landscape (including the road). Over the course of the drive more cows and goats than I can count ran across the road. But I have two great stories about animals and our drive. About 2 hours into my part of the drive we went through a small vilalge where there was a bunch of donkeys on the side of the road. Two of the more lovey dovey donkeys would not get out of the road and proceeded to play right where I was driving. Jessica thought we were going to die and kept saying "hit the donkey." Caroline and I were in the front seat laughing so hard it was impossible to breath, and Tim was gripping the seat for dear life. All in all it was hilarious. Secondly, about an hour after our donkey encounter two ostriches cross the road. We slowed down to watch, and all of the sudden 12 little babies cross behind the parents. It was so cute. One of the parents led in the fron and the other stayed in the road to make sure that all made it across.
When we finally made it to Audi Camp in Maun we were all exhausted and hot. A swim in the freezing cold water and beverages poolside cheered everyone up. During the ride to Maun I missed a phone call from my family and everyone knew i was disappoineted, luckily the cell service is great in Maun and they called back. It weas good to hear from them after a week. I got to say happy mothers day and here about my puppies. As much as I am enjoying the trip I miss everyone.
Thats it! Peace!
On our trip to Maun we pasted these awesome salt flats. It used to be the delta thousands of years ago. Next we approached the Kalahari Game Reserve. We only drove by but it was an awesome sight. I drove a lot of the way. Caroline started for about 1.5 hours and I finished up.
I guess that I should mention why the drive was terrifying....I did mention it was terrifying right. LOL. Animals in this country, and possibly this continent, are free to wanderacross the landscape (including the road). Over the course of the drive more cows and goats than I can count ran across the road. But I have two great stories about animals and our drive. About 2 hours into my part of the drive we went through a small vilalge where there was a bunch of donkeys on the side of the road. Two of the more lovey dovey donkeys would not get out of the road and proceeded to play right where I was driving. Jessica thought we were going to die and kept saying "hit the donkey." Caroline and I were in the front seat laughing so hard it was impossible to breath, and Tim was gripping the seat for dear life. All in all it was hilarious. Secondly, about an hour after our donkey encounter two ostriches cross the road. We slowed down to watch, and all of the sudden 12 little babies cross behind the parents. It was so cute. One of the parents led in the fron and the other stayed in the road to make sure that all made it across.
When we finally made it to Audi Camp in Maun we were all exhausted and hot. A swim in the freezing cold water and beverages poolside cheered everyone up. During the ride to Maun I missed a phone call from my family and everyone knew i was disappoineted, luckily the cell service is great in Maun and they called back. It weas good to hear from them after a week. I got to say happy mothers day and here about my puppies. As much as I am enjoying the trip I miss everyone.
Thats it! Peace!
Several Hours Later that Same Night
I decided to take a shower before heading to bed and something happened that forced me to pull my computer out again. Jessice and I were headed to the showere and there was a car parked outside the bathroom. Ok, not odd. We go in. She jumps in the shower. I used the restroom and brush my teeth. When an odd noise catches my ear. No it cannot be what I though....Really...in the nasty camp bathroom...yep.. a couple was shall we say enjoying there shower. Plus, they were to embarrased to leave when they realized we were there. I motioned to Jessice, and we proceeded to slowly finish getting ready for the night. LOL. Several times the girl peaked her head out of the stall to see if we were still there. When she saw us she would QUICKLY slam the door shut. Not 2 minutes after we left the bathroom they jetted to their car and headed out of the park.
Two things come to mind from this story:
(1) You are in freaking AFRICA and you choose a nasty campground bathroom to do it.....THATS ODD
(2) If you are so embarrased why not just jet out of the bathroom quickly and head for your car. We all knew what you were doing and why you were standing in that shower stall for 40 minutes. Suck it up. You are adults.
Trying to stop using words like yesterday or today. Because honestly, who knows when I will be able to post these entries. Sorry Guys for the confusion on dates.
Peace Everyone! News from Maun to come!
Two things come to mind from this story:
(1) You are in freaking AFRICA and you choose a nasty campground bathroom to do it.....THATS ODD
(2) If you are so embarrased why not just jet out of the bathroom quickly and head for your car. We all knew what you were doing and why you were standing in that shower stall for 40 minutes. Suck it up. You are adults.
Trying to stop using words like yesterday or today. Because honestly, who knows when I will be able to post these entries. Sorry Guys for the confusion on dates.
Peace Everyone! News from Maun to come!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Game Drive (5-8-10)
Our last night in Gaberone was an exciting one. Caroline has a friend in the city named Barney and we went to his house for dinner. He actually lives in a village just outside of town and the supposedly short drive took us more than 45 minutes. Caroline was directing, I was driving and we ended up at the game reserve. LOL. Yes we are geographers, but we have no since of direction. Barney lives in the best house. It has a lovely thatched roof and is huge. He has 7 dog for protection including the largest dog I have ever seen, a wolfhound (photos to come). After a lovely dinner of mutton curry, a first of mutton for me, we relaxed watched rugby and chilled.
We made it back to the lodge at nidnight. And the place was closed up for the night. My colleuges in the backseat were a bit on the drunk side and did not help matters much. LOL. We called the gatekeeper, dragged him out of bed, and 30 minutes later we made it into the lodge. I have some great pictures of Tim trying to open the electric fence. Maybe I will post later!
We started our trek to Maun, Botswana. Instead of completing the 8 hour drive in one day we made the excellent decision of stopping at Khama Rhino Sanctuary. After pitching our tents we set out on our first game drive. WIthin 10 minutes of leaving we spotted our first white rhino several impala, and a girafee. All things that I have seen in a zoo, but when you are 20 feet away from them in the back of a pickup it is amazing. The giraffe were probably the coolest of all the animals we saw. With their crazy tongue and odd ability to strip leaves from a tree with HUGE thorns. There were more animals on our trip that I can tell, but I did keep a full list. Several of note: Zebra, Ostrich, and Wildabeast.
Ok getting ready to call it a night. Wrote the original draft from my tent in the rhino sanctuary. Lets just hope the rhino don't know this part of the park. I have been reassured several times by Tim that he will run to my rescue if a lion decides to make an appearance.....Later All!
We made it back to the lodge at nidnight. And the place was closed up for the night. My colleuges in the backseat were a bit on the drunk side and did not help matters much. LOL. We called the gatekeeper, dragged him out of bed, and 30 minutes later we made it into the lodge. I have some great pictures of Tim trying to open the electric fence. Maybe I will post later!
We started our trek to Maun, Botswana. Instead of completing the 8 hour drive in one day we made the excellent decision of stopping at Khama Rhino Sanctuary. After pitching our tents we set out on our first game drive. WIthin 10 minutes of leaving we spotted our first white rhino several impala, and a girafee. All things that I have seen in a zoo, but when you are 20 feet away from them in the back of a pickup it is amazing. The giraffe were probably the coolest of all the animals we saw. With their crazy tongue and odd ability to strip leaves from a tree with HUGE thorns. There were more animals on our trip that I can tell, but I did keep a full list. Several of note: Zebra, Ostrich, and Wildabeast.
Ok getting ready to call it a night. Wrote the original draft from my tent in the rhino sanctuary. Lets just hope the rhino don't know this part of the park. I have been reassured several times by Tim that he will run to my rescue if a lion decides to make an appearance.....Later All!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Warning!
I am writing these on word at night then quickly posting when there is internet. Don't be suprised if the time frames / wording are a bit messed up.
Gabs Part 2
13 hours of sleep later we were all in much better spirits and we felt human again. Jet lag solved hopefully. Today (5/6/10) was interesting, but not to exciting. Started with a breakfast at our lodge, and then a trip to the internet cafe. We have internet at the hotel but all of us are afraid of viruses on their open network and therefore we made the trip across town to what I think was called game city. It was a very cool open air market, with a few bookstores (no titles more recent that 1990) and shops. More on the open market in a second. We paid 10 pula for 45 mintes of internal and all of us got to read emails from home. YOu would have thought we had been in the bush for weeks as excited as we were to read those emails. Something about the breakfast did not sit well with me, and i was sick as a dog in that hot stuffy internet cafe (which by the way was also a...........nope saving that story for later).
The open air market was so cool. Tons of local crafts that were awesome. I wanted to shop, but then i would have to shlep that stuff across 3 countries not to mention across Europe. I showed that I was raised in Florida when I saw these very cool large "alligator" carvings, as I called them. I was quickly informed that they were cros carvings. WHOOPS!!! Give me a break I have been in Africa for less than a week
Other highlights of the day (AKA I AM TO LAZY TO WRITE OUT THE NARRATIVE):
The open air market was so cool. Tons of local crafts that were awesome. I wanted to shop, but then i would have to shlep that stuff across 3 countries not to mention across Europe. I showed that I was raised in Florida when I saw these very cool large "alligator" carvings, as I called them. I was quickly informed that they were cros carvings. WHOOPS!!! Give me a break I have been in Africa for less than a week
Other highlights of the day (AKA I AM TO LAZY TO WRITE OUT THE NARRATIVE):
- Interesting meeting with the high ups in the Office of Environmental Affaris
- A trip to another mall called River Walk (two things of note (1) there is no river in the area, and (2) this place which is MUCH smaller than Gainesville has 3 malls and more car dealerships that I can count
- Cool billboard of a drunk old lady
- I am finally getting used to the money. 7 pula =1 dollar. At first I thought I was spending a ton of money on meals whn I would pay 21 pula. Now I realize that my entire dinner the first night cost $3, an it was at a nice(ish) place.
- We have not been able to get in contact with Brian Child (one of the UF profs here with us). To which Caroline, one of his students, said "he is doing a Child." We all knew what she meant, but I may always think of Brians differently now. LOL.
Peace Everyone! More the next time there is reliable internet. Don't be suprised if there are multiple postings in one day, as I am writing these at night on word then quickly posting when there is a hook up.
Gaberone
We landed Wednesday in Gaberone Botswana. After what was the quickest and most delightful flight I have ever experienced. We flew air Botswana and there were more flight attendants on the plane than there were passengers. The rather large aircraft was open seating, meaning I could have had 5 rows or so to myself. About 5 minutes after takeoff the pilot turned off the fasten seatbelt sign, it was that gentle of a flight. After flying no more than 10 minutes the pilot came on and said "we have now reached our cruising altitude of 26,000 feet." Less than 1 mintue later he came back on and said "we will now begin our descent into the Gabs airport." I cracked up, and I think that it is a running joke of air Botswana. Customs and passport control were quite simple for Jessica and I, Eric of course picked the witch and was given the good third degree for 5 minutes. Mine talked the entire time on her cell phone and never even looked me in the eye. Customs was a bit odd for two reasons, (1) they gave Eric a hard time and (2) because they made the mistkae of opening my poster tube then spent 15 minutes getting them back into the tube.
I officially took on a new title less than 3 hours into my stay in Botswana. Driver! Tim was asked to drive to the airport and pick up Caroline, problem was Tim cannot drive a stick. So I was the only person in the group that can, and therefore I earned my new title. Which after 2 days in Gabs appears to have stuck. The only problem with my new role in this field visit is that I have never driven on the wrong ide of the road before. I never driven internationally and therefore has NO IDEA what I was doing. My driving "coach" TaTa was cracking up. After running two red lights and turning 2 times into oncoming traffic, I was an expert in it (Kinda). All the other drivers seemed to take it in stride and gave me a sad "silly american" look (A look which I have now become highly accoustomed to). Looks which we all have notice we get EVERYWHERE, you would think that these people have never seem a white girl with a southern accent. LOL. Anyways, we got Caroline from the airport. The next challenge was the gas station. Honestly, I wish all gas stations in the US worked the way they do in Botswana. It is well known in my household that I don't like to pump gas, here that is not an issue as it is done for you. They also wash your windows, and add air to your tires while you wait. But one of the essentials of visiting the gas stations, not just here but globally, is knowing what type of gas the car takes. Three phone calls later it was suggested that we smell the gas to figure out what type it is, we left that lovely job to the attendants. Our tip was a whole 7 pule (1 US Dollar), and we debated if that was enough. Turns out that 60% of the workers here make less than 14 pula a day I was floored!
Nothing else terrible exciting about that day. We went to the mall and bought pre paid cell phones, ate dinner and went to bed. Jet Lag Baby!
I officially took on a new title less than 3 hours into my stay in Botswana. Driver! Tim was asked to drive to the airport and pick up Caroline, problem was Tim cannot drive a stick. So I was the only person in the group that can, and therefore I earned my new title. Which after 2 days in Gabs appears to have stuck. The only problem with my new role in this field visit is that I have never driven on the wrong ide of the road before. I never driven internationally and therefore has NO IDEA what I was doing. My driving "coach" TaTa was cracking up. After running two red lights and turning 2 times into oncoming traffic, I was an expert in it (Kinda). All the other drivers seemed to take it in stride and gave me a sad "silly american" look (A look which I have now become highly accoustomed to). Looks which we all have notice we get EVERYWHERE, you would think that these people have never seem a white girl with a southern accent. LOL. Anyways, we got Caroline from the airport. The next challenge was the gas station. Honestly, I wish all gas stations in the US worked the way they do in Botswana. It is well known in my household that I don't like to pump gas, here that is not an issue as it is done for you. They also wash your windows, and add air to your tires while you wait. But one of the essentials of visiting the gas stations, not just here but globally, is knowing what type of gas the car takes. Three phone calls later it was suggested that we smell the gas to figure out what type it is, we left that lovely job to the attendants. Our tip was a whole 7 pule (1 US Dollar), and we debated if that was enough. Turns out that 60% of the workers here make less than 14 pula a day I was floored!
Nothing else terrible exciting about that day. We went to the mall and bought pre paid cell phones, ate dinner and went to bed. Jet Lag Baby!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Gabs
We landed Wednesday in Gaberone Botswana. After what was the quickest and most delightful fligh I have ever experienced. We flew air Postwana and there were more flight attendents on the plane than there were passengers. The rather large aircr
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Truth Revealed
Many people know that I am a bit apprehensive about the long flight coming on Monday. To all who ask me "Are you afraid of flying?"
NO, I love flying. Its the crash that I am worried about.
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