Botswana - ahhh
OKAVANGO RIVER, BOTSWANA
Am at the end of my time in Africa. Oh my. Tonight I write from the contrast of a plush hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa where I’m treating myself to some luxuries. Leaving in a few hours for a 10 hr flight to Paris where I’ll be staying 5 days in a B&B. After the change of plans not to visit my brother in Austria, was unable to get a flight back to the states right away. So now I’ll see Paris, enjoy the Louvre and other delights. Hoping for a lovely and restful time. Arriving in the U.S. on April 2nd for a week w my kids; home in Poulsbo the 8th.
My time in Botswana was another one full of big experiences. Used some time to explore probably 10 social service and ministry responses to HIV/AIDS. Intense!
Also, did tourist stuff: small plane ride over big game on the Okavanga Delta (lots of elephants!); 4 hour safari ride in a wide game reserve (zebra, giraffe, ostrich, baboon, impala); and stayed with my host family at a lodge next to the Okavanga River (hippos and crocks)! The harder parts: cars breaking down in remote places, one car totaled in an accident (we had just gotten out of it 5 minutes before). The great stuff: five hours of awesome worship and African dancing in Easter celebration. Later: more trouble w vehicles in tough places, unable to leave when planned, skidded into the airport 45 minutes before an international departure.
JHave much to write and talk about, but will need to wait for more time. To remind you, Botswana is the location of Alexander McCall Smith’s, “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency,” and the home of the people group with clicking sounds in their language seen in “The God’s Must be Crazy.”
The sounds of the African night are forever imprinted on my heart after sleeping in a tent for 2 nights next to hippos sighing and grunting in the darkness and beautiful sounds of awesome birds… watching the sun come up each morning through the mist across a wide and slow moving river… and a big orange moon rising over the delta. Ahhhh.
this blog looks great,i hope i can read your article very soon.
You are so humorous, and your words are so attracted me.