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Published: March 16th 2007
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the two Bryans
Bryan with Brian, who works at Sedibeng, a computer learning centre and great restaurant with local food. Hi All,
We can now be contacted!!! Both Anj and I have cell phones and would welcome calls anytime - remember, we are 6 hours ahead of Toronto.
Anj's Cell - 011-267-74112008
Bry's Cell - 011-267-74111509
Well time is moving quickly here and we can't believe it has already been more than a week since we arrived. There is so much to do here to get things sorted. Back in Toronto, it took 2 months to deconstruct our life, sell furniture, cars, clean out the apartment, and find homes for the pets. Now, we find in Gaborone, we have to reconstruct our life again. Any place we rent will come completely unfurnished, including no fridge or stove and it turns out, we really need a car here as well. We have found a nice place that we really like and with a little bit of elbow grease should turn out to be our spot of heaven over here - and much to Anj's pleasure, it even comes with a small pool (not the rustic living we were quite expecting!).
The other day, we bought a car - a 1997 white Toyota Corolla (see photos) much like everyone
Anj in Heaven
Anj cooling off in the pool at the Gaborone Sun Hotel - which we cordially invited ourselves to. else here has. They import them straight from Japan as used cars so everything, from the user's manual to the old registration stickers is in Japanese! We paid for the car by credit card (which the use of is almost completely rare in Botswana) because it was much easier than setting up a local bank account. We had to swipe the card at a gas station four stores down from the dealership as they were the closest place that took VISA - who I am sure are wondering what we intend to do with 32,000 Pula's worth of gas!
Apart from the boring details of reestablishing ourselves, we have had the fortune to get to start discovering Gaborone, which on the surface is not a pretty city at all, but it does have its hidden gems. We have found great little eating spots such as Sanita's, a garden centre down by the Gaborone dam which has its own restaurant, set under giant fig trees. We also drove out to Gabane for a braai (BBQ) with some new friends - the place is about 15km out of the city and a bit of a hippy commune set on a hillside.
The WUSC Crew
All these friendly people work/volunteer for WUSC in and around Gaborone. The dinner was hosted by Kathy, the Director. The house we visited was a circular one room hut based on the local style, but designed and lived in by a British architect ex-pat.
Twice now, we have snuck into the Gaborone Sun hotel and used their swimming pool to escape the mid 30 degree temperatures we are "suffering" under. They don't seem to mind, so long as our daiquiri orders are steady.
Some other interesting experiences, to mention quickly are:
- Seeing 6 ladies draped in white kneeling around a bright yellow Volkswagen, led in prayer by a man also in white, kneeling in front of the car, holding a staff. They are members of the Zionist Christian Church and this was a Sunday roadside service. I think they are large rivals of the Mitsubishi Zionist Christian Church, who prefer the Lancer over the Golf.
- Attending opening night of the Botswana Human Rights Film Festival and seeing a documentary about ANC freedom fighters. The film was introduced by the director, the Attorney General of BW and apparently seen by many members of Parliament and Cabinet.
- Learning to drive on the left side of the road, while contending with crazy drivers, an
Cattle Jam
One of the various tricky elements of learning to drive (and keeping alive) in Botswana. inordinate amount of roundabouts and numerous donkeys, cows and goats wandering into the road at anytime. But if you hit them, you keep them.
- Witnessing awkward Afrikaner teenagers, fresh from the farm attempting to flirt, and make out with each other at the ever popular Bull & Bush pub on a Friday night. The pub has a beautiful garden area, great food, but is haunted by the Children of the Corn - white blonde Afrikaner children, by the dozen and their beer-bellied chain smoking parents.
As for the reason we came, work...looks like Anj will be starting her job next week, for one day, then we are back in Gabs for a workshop on proposal writing and outcome based reporting. Looks like lots of travel will be in store for Anj (Mali, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa to name a few) as she works on setting up distribution networks for Godisa's products.
At the end of next week, we are off to Ghanzi, in the heart of the Kalahari Desert for our cultural orientation. We will spend 4 days camping in a small village, hearing stories, seeing dances and making crafts with the local San
Good advice alley
One of several signs outside an AIDS organization promoting safe sex, abstination and well, what the sign says. people. Looks like I will be staying a few days extra there to discuss possible project work to assist the San in marketing their art.
So all is well, we are both getting a tan without trying and are starting to learn all the little nuances that are necessary to get by here. So far so good; Gabs is a city that takes time to get to know, but it seems like there is plenty to do and the people are friendly.
Love to all,
Bry & Anj
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Kevin J
non-member comment
Homesick
Hi So glad to see you are enjoying it. I got homesick reading it!