Late night visitor

Something unnerving happened last night. Lance and I were half expecting company and there was a ring at our gate. A little background information for the 99% of the reading population that don’t live in embassy housing, the houses are locked up tight. Bars on the windows, bars on the doors, bolts, serious alarm systems, safe rooms, electrified fences. The works. It inspires feelings of both security and panic, simultaneously. I’m starting to get use to it. It’s a pretty funny sight when someone is at the gate and I realize I left the door keys in the back of the house and have to run all to get them … because otherwise I’m locked in. Nice.

So there was a ring at the gate and Lance went outside to confirm who it was and let them in. Much to his surprise it was not one of our friends but some guy looking much scruffier than your average Gaboronian and asking for money.

So what do you do in this situation? Give him a couple bucks and this could become a regular thing with people ringing our bell at odd hours of the night. I've seen it happen. Or you could send him off with nothing and you ‘re a big paranoid jerk. No good solutions. I’ll take the karmic heat for this one as I told Lance to lock the door and send the guy on his way. He did and the guy left pretty quickly. We both felt pretty crummy about the situation but for me it really comes down to do I want this guy showing up some night Lance isn’t home? It was a tough. I just know it’s a whole different ball game once the sun goes down. Still, I'll feel better when I can start volunteering somewhere. And now that I can drive the car....

Lost in Camden

Remember way back in 2006 when we moved to New Jersey? To put it mildly, traffic patterns are a little different there. New Jersey was my first experience with traffic circles, jug handles and roads where you could not turn left. Those of you who know… you know.

So I had this running joke that every time I left our apartment I would end up “Lost in Camden.” For those of you not having been lucky enough in your life to live in the honestly awesome state of New Jersey, Camden is a pretty rough town. It had the highest per capita murder rate for a years. It is not a place you want to stop and ask for directions. The thing is, a few early drives in a row I honestly did get turned around and lost in Camden. Scary times. Later on we got a Garmen, I got to know the roads and even volunteered at a Camden grade school. I got to know the city a little better when one of its long term residents took me for a driving tour and shared some info about local politics.

And then we moved. And then we moved again. Then a little while in a different state. Now we are in Africa.

And today in my first solo drive in our new car.…. cute huh? In case you were wondering about the lush vegetation, this isn't really a photo of our car, just to same make/model/color from the internet. I'm not getting lazy I'm getting more efficient. : ) It's a pretty good car. Much smaller than it looks in the photo. It isn't any longer than my Protege and drives like my old Tercel. Zippy!

So today I went for my first solo drive. It was a big deal because they drive on the left side of the street here so the steering wheel is on the right and everything is reversed. And wouldn't you know it ... I got lost in Camden.

Seriously! I don’t know how the entire town was transported to Botswana but it was like my car had a magnet pointed toward the crummy part of town and every turn just took me further in. It was pretty neat to see more of Gabs though. Another plus, I didn’t hit any goats. We came close a few times but no goats died in the inspiration for this blog entry.

So eventually I found a familiar road and got home. Alls well. Still, I am REALLY REALLY looking forward to when the box with our Garmen gets here. Then Lance and I will pick up the Bots/South Africa chip and I will be free to get lost in some other country. I bet there are Camdens all over Africa just waiting to be discovered. And don't even get me started on the traffic jams when the stoplights don't work.

Shave and a Haircut

Hi Everyone from one of the shopping centers in Gabs. Lance and I just finished breakfast and he has run upstairs to get his hair cut. While I wait (and wait and wait and wait) for the bill I thought I would bring you up to date.

We are still in the temporary house but were able to do a walk-through of our future home base. It will be just fine. I'll give you more details when we actually move in but for now I'll say it has a pool and patio to die for. I'm very pleased. Not much by way of natural light which will be a challenge but one we can work around.

Last night we were officially welcomed in a Hail and Farewell by the embassy. It was informal and lots of fun. Afterwards, Kim and Luke came over and we played a little Rockband. Both took to it very well with Luke on bass and Kim banging away on the drums. Lance played guitar and your's truly sang. Well, screamed a few of the songs. I'm not even sure what to call what I did for Sabotage by the Beastie Boys. Love me some Ozzy though. : ) Anywho, it was a riot and we called it a night at midnight.

Checks here. Gotta run. Love to all.

It's time for a sing a long!

Hello Mother, Hello Father
It's your Daughter in Botswana.
No Malaria
at least so far
and Lance and I just purchased a big safe car.

We saw a baboon outside the mall
we went kayaking and didn't fall.
And we have traveled
across the border.
Stayed in hotels, motels, safaried
and tipped the porters.

We played poker with some friends
it was lots of fun
because Lance wins.
Me, not so much
but oh well
you know me, a good hand and everyone can tell.

Food is great here, very meaty
But please send multi vitamins
we are needy.
Bath and Body Works
has nice hand creams
and please please please please
send some sunscreen!

Well that's all from Gaborone
Gotta make dinner,
maybe rigatoni
Please give Boggie
a great big hug
and one for each of you.
From, Kristin. Lots of love!

On the move!

Hey folks. Lance and I are moving out of the hotel and into temporary housing. It will be very nice to have all the nice housey things (washer/dryer/more then 15 feet between us) but we will not have internet. We'll do what we can when we can but if we don't post/email/im don't think we are dead in a ditch. Most of the bodies are dumped behind bushes here anyway.

Just kidding. : )

Quick note before I sign off: Last night Lance and I went kayaking with a friend from the embassy in the local water reserve. Nebraska people, think Big Mac with hills. It was beautiful!!! And we didn't flip which was much more challenging than I expected. Kayaks are not canoes that's all I'm sayin.

So, love to all and I'll update when I can. We move into perm housing in a few weeks!
K

A Post for Janet

Hi Everyone, this post is especially written with my former coworker, Janet, in mind. She is such a fabulous foodie and could always be counted on to know the best restaurants in town as well as the million places abroad she has visited. Well Janet, if you ever go on safari and stay at the Buffalo Lodge this might be your dinner:

Friday 25th:
Starter: Tiann of smoked salmon with honey mustard sauce and Broccoli Soup

Main: Ostrich fillet served on a bed of pepper dew risotto rice and veg

Dessert: Malava pudding

Saturday 26th:

Starter: Black mussels bisque in a creamer white wine sauce with Ginger and Carrot soup

Main: Lemon and Beer Chicken, lentils, rice and veg

Dessert: Chocolate roulade


The starters were really the most memorable for me. Lance is not a big fan of smoked salmon but a little bit of it with the right sauce and I'm a happy Kristin. We first had a smoke salmon appetizer with our Christmas cruise in Paris and it was fantastic! But a little bit still goes a long way. Any more than 1/8 of a cup and it becomes very clear your eating nearly raw fish.

The mussels on Saturday were by far the best I have ever had and I could have eaten another bowl for dinner! Definitely something I'll try again.

Lance said the Ostrich was very rich, a little like goose, but not a greasy. Tiny little steaks for such a big animal. They were petite petite fillet size. Pretty good though.

For breakfast we enjoyed muslix on yogurt with honey. Lunch was usually a souffle and sliced meats. Beer was Carlsberg and wine was a house white from South African and pretty darn good.

We are poor. We are full. We are happy. : )

Why elephants are cool...

They can walk and poop.

This entertains me to no end.

Lance, on the other hand, was more impressed by the guides engaging in a deer poop spitting contest.

Yes, I said deer poop spitting. Deer poop in pellets which can be etc etc. I think we all can agree this is a sport that should never go international.