Blog #57 – Farewell to Maun

My last few days in Maun have passed in a flurry. While I have somehow naively thought that the rest of life here in Maun would slow down to allow me to say farewell, I was quite wrong. The pace even seemed to quicken – more and more I caught myself saying goodbye to people and places and I knew that it would be for the last time. There were no big parties, no big hoopla, all I wanted to was to make sure that I said goodbye to those individuals that I have gotten to know and that have had such an impact on me.

This final day in Maun I spent wrapping up my final work at the office. I made the round around town and said farewell to those people that I knew I most likely wouldn’t see again. However, I knew that I would be back again. Southern Africa has been amazing and there are so many places within it that I haven’t seen. While I originally thought that I wouldn’t be able to live here given all of the differences, as I get to the threshold of my visit, I find that the bottom of my stomach feels heavy and
I seem to be on the threshold of heavy emotion. Maun, of all places, within this region of the world, has taken a piece of my heart.

The only way that I can really say goodbye is to think of all of the things that I will miss about Maun and about my time here:

The Donkeys: grazing everywhere and controlling traffic inadvertently, Maun – the donkey capital of the world!

The weather: even though it is winter here, it feels more like my summer back home, expect with zero humidity and constant sunshine.

The local people: I have met some amazing local people and gained a lot of knowledge and perspective on life. I cannot thank them enough for that and as I have told them all they are welcome at my place in Canada if they ever decide to brave the cold!

My placement: all of the people working with BPCT and at dog camp. They have been a lot of fun and I have witnessed things n the wild that I would never have imagined. Lesley has been unbelievable to work with and I wish everyone the best of luck with all of their projects

The children: it was so much fun working with all of the children in the classroom and on the football field. This was definitely one of the highlights of my time here and I will cherish all of there laughter, their jokes, their smiles, but most importantly the vast amount of hope that they bring to this country

The women from Namibian with their picturesque outfits and headdresses, I can’t believe you wear those every day and in the heat to!

Combis and Taxi and driving in general – it can’t get much more crazy and dangerous to be a pedestrian than here in Maun.

The food: as crazy as it may sound, I have really enjoyed the local food. While almost all the food here is imported, they do an amazing job preparing and making delicious meals. The local seswaa, pap, goat, kudu steaks, impala leg have all been quite the experience! Shout out to some of my favourite restaurants: Raw, French Connection, the Pigmygoose, Buck & Hunter, Bon Arrive, Sports Bar and Audi Camp.

The basket women’s co-op in Matlapana: you women do some amazing work and I am glad to have had the opportunity to purchase a few things. I appreciate all your hard work and hope that your future plans for development go well!

The Bush & Delta: There is nowhere in the world like this – the Delta is such an amazing place with so much to learn about and see. I never would have expected to see all of the animals that I did, and the amazing scenery.

Weekend Picnics at Maun Game Park – enough said.

The Expatriates: The community of over three thousand expatriates here have been amazing warm and welcoming community. Thank you for all of the stories, all of the company and all of the wonderful nights!

The Bomo: One of my favourite places to hang out in Maun – the huge firepit restaurant and bar at Maun Lodge. I will miss hanging out with Vincent and all of his singing. I will miss talking with the Chief. I will miss all of the conversation we had about policy and international aid around that fire. I will miss the warmth that the fire brought each of the rather chilly winter nights. I will miss them all.

All of the local women who work all day with a baby tied onto their back by a blanket. Props to the unbelievable strength and stamina you working mothers display.

Trekkers: There is only one nightclub in Maun and I will remember it fondly. It is definitely not an international attraction, but it is also like nothing else I have ever experienced. Thanks to all of the people that we had all of our dances, competitions and drinks with! There were definitely some highlights of the trip here!

Cattle & Goat: I will miss the way that cattle and goat roam freeing around all of Maun and act very much as if they own the place. I will miss the way that people raise their animals in such a free and open manner and the trust that they have for one another. I will miss the taste of such tasty locally cooked meat, haha!

Manual Transmission: there have been many an experience on manual transmission and I cherish those near and dear to my experience here. There wouldn’t have been a more memorable way to learn how to drive than here in the given circumstances.

My Host family: I could not have asked for a better pairing. My family has been absolutely amazing and will be one of the things that I miss the most. For all thhe sleeping queens, rat-a-tat-cat and tampouline jumping! Thanks to all of girls, Lala, Andrew, Sharon, Antiba, Phillipa and Camelo – you have made me feel welcome and a part of Maun. My experience would not have been nearly as exciting without your help.

I cannot thank everyone and everything enough. I know that some of you will already come and visit me in Canada. For the rest of you I will be back.
I am off to Gabs for some post-placement work with WUSC and then this weekend I am going to the Festival of the San People in Ghanzi and D’kar – should be unbelievable – then I travel home on the 17th and finally set feet on Canadian soil on the afternoon of the 18th!

Good-bye Maun! Good luck and see you soon.