Impressions

Thanks to Annette, who wrote down her impressions for our blog, we can start our new series: ‘How is it to be a first time visitor in Botswana’. It’s very special to get Annette’s first impressions, because we can never ever have those again ourselves; we can only relive the feeling through a guest. Although some things stay the same, like how Annette and we feel in and travelling from South Africa.


My first impression of crossing the border from South Africa to Botswana was a kind of relief! The difference between the two countries was striking. From feeling a latent fear in SA – the fear kind of disappeared the moment we crossed the border to Botswana. And that feeling of safety and confidence remained all through the weeks we were in Botswana.

People
First of all – everybody was very kind and helpful – that was my overall impression!
Then…most Botswana-people seem to have plenty of time. Coming from a more or less stressful everyday life in Denmark, the people seem to have much more time…for a foreigner….to do “nothing”. Knowing that there is a big difference in culture, many things seemed to be very ineffective – but on the other hand – everything succeeded in the end. Suppose I could learn a thing or two in slowing down?


Village Life
The massive invasion of corncrickets was one of my first impressions of village life in Morwa – not that I liked them, but I got used to having them all over without getting hysterical! And Maud killing hundreds of them every day by crushing them with shoes, brooms or even (thinking of) shooting them will always be a very good and satisfying memory.
But also: The calmness in the village, the light, the view over the small hills from your house, the sunset, the baboons nearby, the goats, cows and donkeys walking around in the village and the close neighbour ship you have to the people in Morwa… everything has become a very good and special memory. And of course spending some very good time with you!

Serowe
Serowe was one of the highlights of the tour (down memory lane) – and although it was not my memory from 30 years ago – I sort of felt and enjoyed the memories that you have shared!
Seeing all the old places where Bram and Peter were 30 years ago – meeting the nice people from Printers Office – doing the restaurant trip with the employees of Printers – that was great fun! Meeting Skobie at the Museum of Serowe – a very charismatic person – and an unforgettable meeting.
So…the fact that I, as a new visitor in Serowe, had the opportunity to visit so many local people, was very special and a very nice experience.


Campsites
Huge campsites comparing to what we are used to in Europe. And believe it or not – I have actually tried a lot of campsites in Europe – although many years ago! But none of them can be compared with the Botswana-campsites. I have never had that much space, never had such a good fireplace, never had so few neighbour tents, never had that much beautiful ‘noise’ during the night and never had such nice evenings with good food together with good friends.
And even the toilets were excellent – what more can you ask for?


Driving thousands of kilometres
Very hot – very, very hot for a Viking, but also kind of refreshing, sitting in the car with open windows and the wind blowing through the car. So, in fact – even from a Viking point-of-view it was no problem – in fact it was a true adventure to drive all through the country.
Meeting about 200 storks on the roadside was a swelling experience. Here in Denmark we are lucky to see one or two storks in 10 years – so seeing many hundreds in Botswana and knowing that the storks actually are on their way to Europe (and maybe Denmark) , that is just so good to know. I have told everybody here that they are on their way!
Seeing huge elephant dung on the road and, a minute after, seeing the big elephants on the roadside… a memory that remains in my mind for ever.

And finally – one more thing about the people – in fact mostly about women in Botswana: Very beautiful women – and how do they get that beautiful huge arses??


And now the last statement:
South Africa was beautiful concerning landscape, but very fearful, and I was not proud of being a white person in that country – I can understand that the black people have problems assimilating!
And about Botswana – I truly lost my heart to Botswana – no doubt in my mind!
And that is due to you, to Peter and to the people I met in Botswana.

Love from Annette