Botswana Travel Photos

Some more pictures from yesterday and this morning…

First, a picture of a typical cattle post. Botswana is cattle country. Goat country too, but that is a different story. Many people in Botswana see themselves as cattlemen, even though they may have other jobs too.

Next is a picture of the Tropic of Capricorn marker. The text says:

"This point is on the Tropic of Capricorn, which is the most southerly latitude reached by the sun. Here the sun will be at the zenith each year on Midsummer day at midday local apparent time, which is on 22 December at approximately 12 minutes past twelve o'clock noon. At the above time, the sun will shine directly down the tube above this notice."

Cool.

And finally a couple of birds from this morning's walk around the golf course.

Grandma Jean

My Grandmother died today.  She had not been doing too well for a while so it was not unexpected.  Still, it's a sad day for me and my family.  I have not been real close to my grandmother over the years, but I did try to visit her when I was in Oklahoma where most of my family lives. 

When my brother and I were kids, Grandma lived on what is now the Tall Grass Prairie near Pawhuska, OK.  One summer we visited her and my step-grandfather, Oliver, for a couple of weeks.  Oliver was a real, no-kidding, cowboy on a huge ranch there.  He rode horses every day to take of the cattle he was responsible for, and as a result, he and Grandma lived in the middle of the prairie.  That's code for "in the middle of nowhere". 

I can tell you, two boys on a ranch in the middle of nowhere with their Grandma, and her cowboy, are living life about as good as they can.  We rode around the ranch with Oliver in his truck (no horseback riding because we were a bit too young to ride real cowboy horses), learned to balance ourselves walking around on top of the barnyard's sucker-rod fence, tried to milk the cow, made butter with a hand-crank churn, played in the stream…  Somehow, Grandma was patient with us the whole time – no small feat I'm sure.  Oh it was awesome -- part of my highlight reel.  Now Grandma is gone, but that is the way I will remember her…

Botswana is Not Kansas

It's Oklahoma...no it's Idaho...no it's Arizona!  Hmm, I guess it's really just Botswana.  Anyway, I saw some of Botswana today.  While culturally, it was interesting, photographically I just couldn't get engaged.  I did see some super fine 'travel' style pictures that I didn't take in some of the villages, but I couldn't get myself to take them.  I was just not in the photography mood.  So, after all my excitement last night, I only ended up with a few pictures. 

I did drive over 300 miles (gasoline is only $6 a gallon here after all!) trying to find something interesting too. 

The picture of the birds' nests is social sparrow community.  I wonder why they call them social?  There are some on the golf course here too, so maybe I will try to get some photos of the actual birds.  These social sparrows didn't socialize with me, so I didn't get a chance to take their pictures.

The other picture is of a lamb.  You may wonder what he is asking...well, he said in a perfectly clear 'baaaa': "Where's Cookie?!  I need a playmate!".  So there you go, even the Botswana lambs know how awesome Cookie is.

That's it for tonight.  I'm really tired again. 

Let's Take Some Pictures!

Last night I was so excited that I was going to get to take some pictures this weekend that I had to break the camera out and take some!  So, what you see here is a picture of "my" garden and a picture of me.  Really, it's me.  Just a little blurry and dark, but I am there leaning on the railing.  I guess I was too close to the camera, and maybe it was a bit too dark.  Anyway, the picture also shows the road leading to the "villas". 

Click on the pictures to make them bigger.  At least I think that works.  I can't test it because I only have email access.  No web access.

Botswana? Anytime!

Ah, Botswana!  I've been here for three plus days now, and I really like the people and the small bit of city and countryside I have had the chance to see.  The picture above is the view from my "villa".  My client was unable to book a room in a hotel for me, so they ended up booking me in a villa at a golf resort.  It has four bedrooms and is over twice the size of our house at home.  I guess I am living the good life.  However, I'm using it just like a hotel room – it's a place to sleep…

I haven't had a chance to see much of the country yet, or the city of Gaborone for that matter.  I have been busy with work.  I did get to drive into the downtown center for a meeting. 

After the meeting I walked in the "mall", which is a blocked off street with stores on each side and street vendors in the, er... street.  I perused the street vendors' offerings and found a few stone sculptures I liked.  After a little bit of friendly negotiating, I became the proud owner of some Botswana art.  I stayed away from the bone products, as I didn't want to take any chances with illegally importing any ivory etc.  It probably was just bone or horn and there were a few interesting items, but I passed anyway.  The people were very friendly and interesting.

Today we drove to Jwaneng for a bunch of meetings.  We saw some baboons in Jwaneng, and many, many donkeys, cows, and goats on the way there and back.  No pictures of the countryside, but I am hoping I get some tomorrow and/or Sunday.  Night night!  (it's 10 p.m. here)

Botswana

I wasn’t able to email the last post until this evening, so it shows as posted today.  I actually wrote it yesterday of course – well early in the morning Botswana time.  I am now in Gaborone and it is 10 p.m.  Tomorrow starts early, so it’s bedtime for me… Maybe some Botswana pictures tomorrow.  You will see, it is very dry here right now, but they say the rains are coming.

 

Leaving America

It is 2:10 a.m., Botswana time, and we are two hours into our 14:40:00 hour flight.  The pictures give you the views we had out the window as we left the United States, plus one of the inside view.  Next landfall is Western Africa.  We fly over much of Africa, including Botswana on our way into Johannesburg.  I’m going to catch some sleep here soon, but wanted to get this down before I hit the hay. 

 

My seat-mate is a mining manager from a South African gold mining company.  Interesting gentleman.  A graduate of Colorado School of Mines, he has worked all over the world.  Today, he lives in Denver and travels worldwide planning engineering projects for his company.

 

The scampi was a bit overcooked, but the cheese plate was good.  The desert was excellent (mmm sugar) and the chocolates were world class.  I’m looking forward to waking up over Africa…  Night Night!