The sun is something else, I can feel we're gearing up for the deserts of Namibia. The prices are England prices, sometimes more. The only cheap thing to buy here is steak and biltong (dried meat). So.... I have been building fires daily and cooking myself fillet steak. I generally have two in each sitting. I try to have one raw (sometimes just slightly warmed- although then I always think I might catch something and die) and the second rare. Its a bit of a fun game having to collect and chop fire wood every time i cook but i've actually got a pretty good axe technique and have been giving the boys a few lessons. [I loosely applied the sledge hammer when breaking up concrete lesson (thanks da) and I think I have it.]
Hitching about town, on the back of 4x4s, in and around Maun is completely acceptable here. And if you do hail a taxis they will generally keep stopping to pick more ppl up until they're full.
On Saturday night a few of us went out to Truckers, the local night spot/ street party. I was a little conscious that our dancing wasn't quite on par with the local lads (serious style and moves). I generally ask for a dance lesson every time I go out in Africa (for you kat), but it's the guys who really strut their stuff over here, so I'm never sure if they're teaching me a boys dance. Either way, I cannot move my hips, or legs as fast as they can. What a hot and sweaty evening of fun - rounded off with a sausage and steak cooked on the roadside at 3am!
I went to a brilliantly bizarre church service yesterday. We sung and danced for several hours before reaching the anecdotal climax of the pastor wanting telephone airtime but receiving a beer instead from a passer by. He was ultimately handed 100 pula (£10) as well, and he was able to buy his airtime and he also asked for a Nando's chicken for Valentines Day - as a gift from God. What fun.
I also flew across the Okavango Delta in a tiny toy sized 6 seater aeroplane. Spectacular. The views were breathtaking and it was both terrifying and romantic to be flying in such a small wobbly plain.
Tonight is valentines .... I have had to get 2 boys a card/ small gift (cos there are more boys than girls travelling with us). We're all out for a smart meal too. So vie been hand washing my clothes in anticipation.
Tomorrow is a truck day - 14 hrs driving and going over into the NAmibia desert to sleep in the bush.
Note: avatar, I hear the time has finally come. Can't wait to catch up over a drink. Your goodbye card from me, which I took to the airport and forgot to post, has become my bookmark so I've been thinking of you everytime I get 5 mins to read. Good luck and see you soon. X
Ppu- miss you all, Africa is fantastic but I honestly miss work, or maybe just the mental challenge, ready Internet connection and daily news and horizon scan. Hope you have a juicy work program lined up for me. I've not been able to keep up with world affairs let alone uk politics as i never have internet (this is typed on a friends computer which i will wi fi when i next can). I am hearing lots of the cairo situation though. Wish I could send you some of the sun to brighten up catford in winter. Also, interestingly I think the little Vic falls town looks like catford- someone else who lives in ladywell, said he also agreed. So there you go, a possible twinning with vic falls- Zimbabwe?
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