Blog #15 – Flying Solo

This morning came much to quickly. Yes, it was 6:00 AM when I woke up…but it wasn’t so much getting up early that made it difficult… It was the fact that I was leaving by myself…. It was the face that I was going to be going solo from here on it…. It was the fact that I was leaving somewhere that I was at least familiar with to go somewhere I knew nearly nothing about… It was the fact that I didn’t know what waited for me at the other end of the flight… Beyond all of my doubts and concerns, I was still excited. There was something uplifting and freeing about strapping forty pounds onto your back and facing the world! I knew that I was prepared as I would ever be and that I would face each challenge as they came and take life in stride!

I am the luckiest person in the world as far as I am concerned. I am doing something that I have always wanted to do – travel to Africa and do what I can to help!

My ride was a little late coming to get me…so the rest of the Guelph crew was there when I departed. It was a nice send off crowd and made the departure that much easier – I know that I would see them all again and relatively soon, since they all were flying out of Maun to get home in a few weeks time!

I made it to the airport with twenty minutes until my flight and that was after flying down the highway, haha! The best part of it all was that within ten minutes I was sitting on the plane…either I am getting really good at this whole travel thing…or, Botswana airports are super efficient (or just small!) The flight was quick and when I landed on the other side, my host for the summer Phillipa was waiting for me. We grabbed my bags and headed to her house. I was staying in a guest room that was detached from the house – it was really cozy, just the basics, but everything I needed including a bathroom, just no hot water. I spent the rest of the day settling in, unpacking and exploring around.

The lot is surrounded by a six foot high stone brick wall with a large black remote operated metal gate... no one gets in or out without the remote :) The lot was a decent size with three buildings – the house, the cottage and the garage. Andrew, who manages the property and all of the gardens lives with Sharon in the garage, which has been turned into a little house. Phillipa and her family live in the cottage, which was renovated first when they bought the property three years ago. The house is the biggest building on the lot, but wasn’t been renovated yet.

There is a lot of history being the property. It was a long forgotten piece of property of one of the local banks. During this time it was left for worse and became an area for squatters and vandals – who broke many windows and did graffiti all over the place. Phillipa and her husband heard about this place and saw the potential that it had – and after a long struggle with the bank they eventually purchase the property. The plan was to renovate and then live in the cottage while they fixed up the main house, but that takes time and money, and with their busy lives as academics and the not so efficient building companies of Maun progress is taking longer than they expected. However, they have done a great deal of improvements based on what they have said so far. The back part of the lot opens up onto the main river that runs alongside Maun, with gorgeous marshes and wildlife. Someday I am going to take my fishing rod out and see what I can catch! The back part of the lot has been transformed into a large garden – partly out of interest and due to the continually rising expensive price of produce. They have several banana trees, eggplants, peppers, beans, spinach, tomatoes and more… it is going to be awesome to have fresh grown, organic food throughout the summer!

So, I am staying in the main house. My room is pretty big with a large bed, sofa and chair. I have my own washroom with a bathtub – which will be so relaxing and refreshing after all of the hot, dusty days! The rest of the house is in pseudo-repair state. Some of the other bedrooms are finished, but the main living area hasn’t even been started. The kitchen is operational though, and where all of the meals are cooked. I am going to see what I can do to help – as well as help to spruce and clean up the space as well. It is going to be good summer – I can feel it!