First day in Botswana
Olga came to meet us at the South African Botswana boarder. It seems almost surreal to be here with her. We met her a year ago when she came as a visiting scholar to our university. Now we are in her country seeing the things and meeting the people that she has told us so much about.
Cher and Olga
We are taken to an elaborate surprise birthday party and everyone seems to know who we are! It is in the most beautiful location, a tent (with AC!) set up in the garden of a hotel. All the women are wearing halter tops and light skirts or pants. I am freezing in my jeans and fleece jacket. We left Colombo during the beginning of the warmest season of the year and I am having trouble adjusting to this cooler climate. “But I thought it was cold in Canada?” everyone asks as they see me shivering. Clearly I am not the rugged Canuck they expected!
Cher and Olga's Daughter Daphne
Rob and Olga's Son Tefo
I am looking forward to dancing in this tent, in this garden, but unfortunately Batswana time runs later than Sri Lankan time and most of the guests arrive late. By this time the birthday boy arrives at 10:30, it is 2:30 am in Colombo and I am falling asleep at the table.
We are staying at Pako’s (Olga’s eldest son) flat. I wake up to the sound of birds quietly chirping and realize that the vocal cords of birds in Colombo must have evolved to be heard over the honking horns and screeching brakes.
As I write this the sounds of an African choir, accompanied by drums and a guitar drifts in the window. I try to record the sounds on my ipod for Suzanne.
Cher and Olga
We are taken to an elaborate surprise birthday party and everyone seems to know who we are! It is in the most beautiful location, a tent (with AC!) set up in the garden of a hotel. All the women are wearing halter tops and light skirts or pants. I am freezing in my jeans and fleece jacket. We left Colombo during the beginning of the warmest season of the year and I am having trouble adjusting to this cooler climate. “But I thought it was cold in Canada?” everyone asks as they see me shivering. Clearly I am not the rugged Canuck they expected!
Cher and Olga's Daughter Daphne
Rob and Olga's Son Tefo
I am looking forward to dancing in this tent, in this garden, but unfortunately Batswana time runs later than Sri Lankan time and most of the guests arrive late. By this time the birthday boy arrives at 10:30, it is 2:30 am in Colombo and I am falling asleep at the table.
We are staying at Pako’s (Olga’s eldest son) flat. I wake up to the sound of birds quietly chirping and realize that the vocal cords of birds in Colombo must have evolved to be heard over the honking horns and screeching brakes.
As I write this the sounds of an African choir, accompanied by drums and a guitar drifts in the window. I try to record the sounds on my ipod for Suzanne.
posted by ~chill~ at
1:23 AM
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