Update on the Goats

Remember the goats I saw grazing behind my house?

Aug. 10:

There was definitely not a kid with them, but two days later, I saw the big white gaot with this adorable little creature!

Aug. 12:

Termite Mound

Kind of scary that little termites made something big enough for me to live in!

Makes me reminisce on My Side of the Mountain ... I could live in a termite mound, right?

Swimming Pool!

The landlord is putting in a pool. It was entirely dug out by hand!

August 17:

August 19:

September 4:

 

Don't worry, it will have a childproof fence around it.

September 7:

This week they started laying all of the brick for the pool deck. I took pics with the BlackBerry but of course today I can't seem to be able to download them ... ironically, today I also received the charger for my Nikon camera that I ordered two weeks ago from Amazon. So at least I'm not camera-less!

Disguise

 p.s. Thanks, Mom, for sending the sunglasses. And yes, that's a knee-high pantyhose she picked up and draped over her shoulders.

Baby 4 Eyes

Cute moment in the Johannesburg airport on the way back from Asia. Those are my glasses ... which have since had an arm bent off in a not-so-cute moment. Live and learn: eyeglasses = great SUPERVISED distraction.

Gaborone Yacht Club

We went to the Gaborone Yacht Club to watch the sun set with friends. A completely relaxing, fun evening.

A hawk in a tree on the drive out.

I am not a huge "nature person" but I loved the peacefulness and feeling of being away from the city, so close to town.

I lost the battery charger to my little Nikon camera, so these were all taken point and shoot style, mostly while driving, with my new BlackBerry.  I'm pretty impressed by the quality!

Pick 'n' Pay, 10 Minutes Till Close

The workers were playing an impromptu game of futbol.

Marrows and Brinjals

Different names for foods here.

Marrows = zucchinis or apparently pattypan squash

Brinjals =  eggplants

Red, yellow and green pepper bundles sold as "Robot peppers". To understand this, know that stoplights are called robots. Now do you get it? I thought it was a very cute marketing idea.

Fun With Complimentary Shampoo Bottles

Standing them up is such fun.

 So proud of herself.

 

She danced a little happy dance in a circle, arms waving:

Then she gave them to me.

Happy Meal

On the way to Johannesburg, Nile got her first McDonald's Happy Meal.

Despite the weird expressions, she really was happy.

There is no McDonald's in Botswana, so this was that much more of a treat ... for mom and dad, too :) 

Say what you will about McDonald's, capitalism, etc. but it was a surprisingly dear reminder of home when I put my hands under the dryer in the bathroom and saw the familiar World Dryer logo with the imprint "MADE IN BERKELEY, IL".

Nile was making the most bizarre faces, probably because it was night and I was setting a flash off in her face ... anyway, she really enjoyed her chicken nuggies and her "toy" -- a kittie-themed mini notepad and pen.

The Drive Down to Johannesburg

We saw lots of this -- flat, open, peaceful land.

Lentswe la Baratani, aka Lovers' Hill, aka Otse Hill (in Otse, about 30 min. outside of Gaborone). The highest point in Botswana and a subject of myth and legend.

We passed a truck of freshly skinned cow hides headed toward a tannery.

Another hill. Whenever I see a hill shaped like this, I think of Diamond Head.

Ditto for any tall rounded hill that sharply drops; I think of Kaena point. Any Hawaii-philes make the same associations?

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words: Part II

Remember this?

I saw them again! Looks like they've neatly removed the first part of the decal. And added a taxi light (kind of cut off at the top of the pic). Must've been better for business.

South Africa Getaway

We went to Johannesburg, South Africa, last weekend for a little getaway. We stayed in a great bed & breakfast, A Room With A View.  I highly recommend.

Our room with views. The skylight was my favorite. And yes, I took these pics from the comfort of the bed. 

 

Nile was getting a manicure in the bathroom.

There was a cool bird outside the window.

I was in total va-cay mode. I even let Nile eat graham crackers in and wear shoes on the bed.

 

 

The view to the saltwater pool below.

Something about the look of the place and the weather reminded me of L.A.

Cat on a tin roof.

We ventured outside to the gardens. Beautiful bird cages. The owner made all of the wrought iron decor by hand.

Me and my sidekick.