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| Outside of the government building where you apply for passport |
This is the true story of five strangers, picked to live in a house, work together and have their lives taped, to find out what happens when people stop being polite... and start getting real. This is The Real World, Gaborone.
“Sometimes you just have to come up with a list of what
to do when the power goes out,” I say.
“Now you’re sounding like actuary Tina,” Jenny says.
“But my point is that we should be prepared…this power
thing sounds like it’s going to be a long-term issue,” I explain.
“Ok, what should be on the list?”
“Read a book?” I say tentatively…
“Yeah – we need to be FAR less plugged in!” Jenny says.
And this is what it’s been like – Power and water are a
serious issue these days in Botswana.
When we first arrived here, it was water.
We had 3 days a week where there was no water available
during the day.
Now that it’s finally raining, the power is the issue.
The rain is hampering coal production in South Africa
where Botswana imports 85% of their power.
Botswana is in the midst of building their own power
station but has had issues with it.
They are trying to rectify the issue, obviously, but
apparently it could mean that we are without power up to six hours a day, every
day, until the end of April.
In Casa Maria that means, no water.
I think that’s what makes us most cranky.
That, and no internet.
The other night Tina and I sat in the car another half
hour after we got home, just listening to the radio, trying to feel connected
to the outside world after a full day without power.
Random Conversations with locals
Some of my friends have been asking what life is REALLY like here in Botswana.
The following are a few conversations with local Batswana.
Please note, I don't want to generalize that this is what it's like all over Botswana -
These are simply short interactions with the Batswana we know.
**
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| A street musician in Main Mall |
“I don’t know about women working.” Kopano says.
“What do you mean?” Jenny asks.
“Well…look at your shoes!” Kopano points to Jenny’s heels,
“How are you supposed to carry food back to your home in those?”
*****
“Ummmm…I just got offered the tea lady’s baby,” I say as
I walk into our office.
“What?” Tina asks.
“Yeah, I was talking to Belé and the coffee lady* and she
showed me a picture of her 7 month old son and asked if I would take him home.”
“That is so weird,” Jenny says.
“Yeah, but maybe they think you would give him a better
life.” Tina adds.
“He is kinda cute…” I say, “But Jenny, aren’t you the one
who wanted to adopt a little African baby? Here’s your chance!”
*coffee lady – we have a woman in the office who brings
us coffee, tea, and sometimes cookies each morning.
Belé is the “office boy” – less of a “boy”, more of a 40-something
man, he runs errands for the directors, washes our car from time to time (with
only a bucket of water in the office car park), and happens to like me J
*****
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| Perhaps the man who fixed my shoes? Main Mall |
This morning, we arrive to the office and pull in to the
parking garage. We empty the contents of the truck and head to the elevator.
“Good morning Belé!” I say with a smile.
“Dumela Mma,” he returns as he takes my bags from me.
We exchange pleasantries when I show him the one plastic
bag I’m carrying this morning.
“Belé, can you help me today?”
“Yes Mma.”
“I need my shoes re-soled and re-heeled.”
“No problem Mma. No problem,” Belé smiles, “I will take
them for you today.”
It is as simple as that! I go about my day’s meetings and
Belé takes my shoes to get fixed. Before lunch, they’re back in my hands and
I’m only $8 lighter, and that includes a tip for Belé! Things like this could
get me used to life in Africa…
****************
Jr. – a mid-20’s Toronto boy, born and bred. Accountant by trade. On this project to travel and try something different. Nurse/student girlfriend at home.
Trevor – an early 30’s guy from the Caribbean. Completed a number of these types of projects before in different countries. Single
Tina – a late 30’s/early 40’s Caribbean woman who has lived and worked with Trevor on projects in different countries. Single
Jenny – an early 30’s woman from Vancouver. Common-law Life partner at home.
And me. LuckyCdnGirl. Accustomed to travel but never been to Africa
