The first day that we were not expecting any new arrivals! Having made the trek to Riverwalk several times at this point, we took it upon ourselves to show the later group how to get there. Bought still more food at Woolworths Food (are you sensing a theme here?), a branch of the British store Woolworth’s. Basically a Macy’s with food in the back. Very odd, but also sort of efficient. Hurried through because we thought everything was closing at 1, but then nothing closed.
Ducked into another store to check the jeans prices, and ended up finding a pair for 89 pula (roughly $12). Felt extremely proud of myself as I went up to pay, whereupon the sales clerk told me that her coworker wanted to marry me. The ONE DAY I didn’t wear my “wedding ring,” I get proposed to. Figures. I hope I let him down easy.
Headed back to campus, found out that poor Boitumelo was dealing with a burst water pipe in her building and wouldn’t be ready to go on our planned hike at Kgale Hill quite yet, so we putzed around and chatted a bit more.
Finally set off for Kgale around 2:45 (original departure time: 1 pm), in our wonderful combi that was in fact not the same combi, since in a small act of mercy fate had gotten us a combi without a sound system.
The hike was absolutely beautiful, and it was more or less the perfect temperature. Boitumelo assured us that the mountain that loomed above us was really not all that challenging a climb, but let’s just say that our huffing and puffing at the end told a different story. Still really fun, and the view reminded me of California. She said she’d take us back another day to climb the “big hill.” I may need to start training now.
Went back to campus to shower/hose off before dinner, then – you guessed it – back into the combi to head to Bull & Bush for dinner. Boitumelo says that the Batswana really like their food, and I’m not complaining! Had a really yummy pita wrap with steak and tzatziki. NOM. Also, mango juice in a spiffy plastic can that was see-through, both of which are made here in Botswana (as opposed to our imported South African wine…). Pictures of that to follow as well.
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