| | Here’s any my latest update Just a little over a week ago, I arrived from my solo Botswana trip. Not many volunteers journey to Botswana alone, now I understand why. Taking public transport on a daily basis while on a holiday is not a luxury, or a given desire – it is a desperate means. During my trip, it was me, my one-person tent (no bigger than a human-cocoon) and my lofty backpack which consumed no more than: 2 pairs of clothes, a rain coat, safari hat, a sleeping bag, 1 pot, 1 cup, a Nano ipod, a tent, and some yummy nuts and beef jerky from friends and family back home. As I did not have a rented car, I was forced to take Kombis, buses and lifts all around the country. Hours upon hours I sat with local Botswana’s and listed to the tires roar against the road – in Botswana they speak Setswana, a language closely related to Sesotho. Having no problem with communication, I got along quite well with the locals and the camping tourists. I felt right at home. Most of my trip was “unplanned.” In the beginning, all I knew was my arrival date and departure date- well and a few bookings throughout. My guide book was ten years outdated, and I honestly didn’t have a clue as to how much money would be needed for my 10+ day trip in a country where prices were based on the American tourist. Honestly, I was banking on Karma taking control – I figured that I have done a lot of good in this world and good would prosper. Botswana doesn’t tolerate crime (they believe in an eye for an eye). I knew that I would be safe and people would help me when I asked for it. Botswana is not Johannesburg or New York City. It’s a very peaceful country. Upon my arrival to Bots, the Karma set right in, I was taken care of the first night, and that continued throughout my trip. White South Africans played a huge role in my endurance as well. Since being alone, I didn’t have the necessary tools to BBQ or keep my meats cold, and every time I asked to borrow some coals from a fire or put my meat on ice, I was invited to take a seat on the ground or camp chair whereby my meat would be fire roasted and I would, more often than I could handle it, be offered more food or something to drink. Nights upon nights, I sat around numerous fires and chatted about my missions as a volunteer, my upbringing as an American, my take on the Apartheid in South Africa 20 or so years ago and what my next mission in life would be. My enthusiasm to explore took me to discover the beauty of two more countries Zimbabwe and a small Island in Namibia – both of which were not in my original rough outline. Along my travels, I partook in a few “tourist” activities such as, a Safari drive, a safari cruise, a ‘Mokoro” (canoe) trip, a full body massage and the wonderful Victoria Falls. I have seen a little more of what this very large world has to offer. I am back in Lesotho and fully exhausted. This trip, though wonderful, took a lot out of me. A car would have made a huge difference in my fatigue level, but then I wouldn’t have so many stories to share with others nor would I have such fantastic memories. Doing the trip the way I did, allowed me to be part of the Botswana’s daily living style and the South African’s camping culture. I camped with more luxuries (because of the South Africans) than I have lived with for the last 2 and ½ years: electricity, flushing toilets, refrigerators and even computers. Right now, I miss the warm days and nights in Botswana surrounded by monkeys on tree tops and hippos callings all night long. Lesotho is so cold. The Basotho are beginning to hibernate – and for good reason. My hut is a permanent 60 degrees F and in another month or so it will be 50 degrees F. Though it’s cold, I do love the feeling of “home” again. There’s something to be said about going to another place and coming back home: security, protection, structure and familiar faces. Khotso-Pula-Nala , Tarsha (Peace, Rain, Prosperity) |
