I traveled up to
Serowe to my Motswana family for the holidays. Although I only lived with them
for two months, I am with out a doubt a member of the family, and it felt good
to be home and see my Motswana siblings. We traveled to their farm for
Christmas where I spent my days relaxing under the shade, eating fresh bread,
and learning how to play piggy in the middle with the children who live on the
farm.
I saw my first black mamba, which is a deadly snake found in
Botswana, however, as with most creatures it is only harmful when it is
harassed. The black mamba leaped down from a tree branch only inches away from
where one of the farm hands was standing, however, upon landing it quickly
slithered away into the bush. Black mambas can grow up to seven feet tall,
however this was have been a young one and was maybe half that size. According
to my brother, ducks keep the snakes away so if you do not like the company of
snacks just hang out near the ducks.
I feel really lucky to have spent the holidays with a family
who cares about me and who I care about. It was remote in the sense that there
was no cell phone coverage, no electricity, and about two hours into the bush
on a sandy “road” (the road was nothing like roads I am used to). However, it
was very international since I munched on Turkish delight from Turkey (my
brother travels frequently for work and was only just in Turkey a few days
before making the Turkish delight quite fresh!), chatted with their neighbor on
the farm who used to work for the UN, and discussed international politics.
It may not have been a white Christmas as I am used to but
it was definitely a Christmas well spent. I send my love to everyone Stateside,
in Switzerland, and where ever else the holiday season took you.
Happy Holidays!
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