Saturday Sunday

SATURDAY

Went to the Game Park - Mokalodi to do elephant walk – about a couple of miles over very rough terrain with inappropriate footwear. However, there were frequent stops and I thought walk was excellent, informative and exciting but without too much fear along the way. Most difficult part was at the end getting in and out the Observation landrover. Walked obviously with a herd of very tame elephants and saw warthogs, giraffes – my god they were so tall and black. Apparently change colour according to surroundings. Stroked a cheetah who apparently was as tame as a domestic cat. Did not spend too long on this activity. Unfortunately battery on my camera was very low and I had to be very selective as to what I photographed and animals moved so fast you would have required long lens and multiple shots prob to capture.

Met really nice folk on Elephant Walk. One girl was there for her farewell trip from Botswana – had been working at the University here and was now going back to South Africa. She had attended Lifelong Learning Conf in July last year in Stirling. Her brother had been a student at Edinburgh University but had been thrown out of the country but was unwilling or shy about stating why!!! Another guy was there to advise about cow milk yields and how to improve. He was also South African. Apparently cows they advise are Ayrshire but red and white not black and white. They also build sheds with water falling to keep the cows cool in summer. No end to my education here.

Runa who is the consultant for Beauty left today. We have exchanged a great deal of information as well as her being good company while in Botswana and since this was her 4th trip to the country and she has worked closely with the Education Dept she was able to give me a lot of information that I would not otherwise have had. She also pointed out many of the local customs and landmarks.

She works closely with Joanna who is the main education officer at the education offices for Hair and Beauty. Also got a few tips to improve or supposedly improve the looks and preserve. Runa and Joanna certainly looked well so whatever they were doing it worked well. Joanna is 57 and has 7 children. They all stay in South Africa while originally 8 years ago from Trinidad but which they return for a trip at least yearly if not twice a year. Joanna is in one of the pictures on the blog. (One with spectacles)




SUNDAY

Spent the day at Thornhill Primary School which is the workplace of Frank the other Multimedia Consultant. At last a connection to the Internet which was unrestricted and although not as fast as broadband UK style was certainly falling into the almost normal category. Very attractive school with nice grounds and attractive building. Contents of classrooms very similar to what you would see at home, surprisingly. Little blue tits tapping on windows – apparently see themselves in the reflective tinted glass and think it is a potential partner. Very well equipped ICT rooms. One I am working in has 32 Macs within.
Had meal in the hotel in the evening and was given the lowdown on the entertainment within the hotel by the resident one man band.

MONDAY

This is a public holiday today and again working in the school.