Pictures and Notes 2

[Another word on photos. I'm uploading them in a "small" format. If you want to see a lagre version, right click and you have different viewing options.]

Pula

It rained today, not just sprinkles. This was also the day I decided to take Tom’s bicycle to go to the new far mall where they have a better selection of products. This is not a place where you complain of being soaked by the rain.

Lost

I often walk to the nearest grocery store, Choppies, and usually take a taxi back with my parcels. This day I decided to walk back for the exercise. Everything looked different going the other way. I was hoping to see a familiar landmark around our courtyard, but soon I realised I was lost. What to do? Even if I did phone Tom what would I say? There are no street names or street (courtyard?) numbers. There was no way I could tell him where I was. I decided I had to make my way back to the store and take a taxi when 2 kids appeared on the path. They knew enough English so I could ask if they knew where Kandu (the grandchild) lived. One of them did and she, in her bare feet, led me to my courtyard. Tom says that the reward I gave her, 5 Pula ($1) was probably the largest sum she had ever possessed for herself.

Family Photo

Twice people have come for Tom ot take a family photo. One was a family with a new baby. They are refugees from neighbouring Zimbabwe where the 83 year-old leader is refusing to relinquish power. They had a cute baby that I could not help but hold.

Snake

This snake skin was drying in front of the museum. When I was here in 1968 I did not see one wild snake. i have been told that they are even more scarce now.

Enterprise

Botswana has always had thriving roadside, now mallside, enterprises. One group of women are selling mostly perishables such as tomatoes and oranges. The other group has beans and peanuts and dried greens that would be reconstituted.

The government is especially keen on getting small business started. There is a lot of help available to young people who qualify - but the businesses are often not successful since the capitalistic ethos is not ingrained in the culture. I have heard Tom advising applicants in how to fill in the grant applications and you can tell that they are not aware of marketing concepts that would be second nature to young people in Canada.