Back to Botswana

Over a year later I'm finally getting back to blogging about my African adventure with my father and step-mother.  The memories are still so vibrant in my mind- I miss the sounds and smells of the African landscape.  I would like to go back someday.

When I returned from my trip last year, I told many people about my experience (okay... anyone who would listen).  The owner of the company I work for is a fantastic photographer, and so I told him he should go.  Then I told the woman who had hired me for the job 15 years ago.  She and her husband loved to travel, but had yet to experience a tour, much less one of such wild proportions.  I gave her the website of OAT and they began planning.  They've just left for their trip last sunday and I'm quite excited to hear about their experience in Africa.  I hope it's as amazing as mine was.

So back to Botswana...

Game drives are fantastic.  The whole experience is fantastic.  At this camp we would have two guides and two vehicles divided among 14 travelers.  After a hearty breakfast at dawn, we would head out.  Our guides, Tuelo (Mr T, is what we called him) and Julius, were knowledgable and happy to answer any quesions we had about animals, Botswana, the culture, you name it.  They loved what they did and it showed.

Mr T on the lookout.

Many animals crossed our path as we drove.  The sandy roads were not only traveled by us- elephants, baboons, warthogs, what-have-you.  They used the  heavily treaded trails to cut through the sharp, brambly terrain.  It was not uncommon to have to stop and wait for passing families.

First spotting of a black backed jackal.  Shy little guy... he steered clear of our noisy vehicles.

When this little one crosses, you wait for the others to follow.  Last place you want to be 

is between a mother elephant and her calf.

Mid morning we stop in an open area to enjoy a snack and a cup of tea or coffee.  It's getting warm, and soon the animals will all find shade and lounge until the evening.  Morning break gives us an opportunity to stretch our legs, find a vacant termite mound to relieve ourselves and get to know our fellow travelers.

After our break, we would take a leisurely drive back to camp, stopping to view impala, baobab trees, and many, many birds.  The views are so different from what I'm used to.  Everything is so much bigger, so much wilder, and so much more obviously dangerous.

 It's difficult to gauge the size of this termite mound, but chances are it's bigger than you think.

A young male impala strutting his stuff.

Baobab trees jutting from the landscape in the distance.

Returning from our morning game drive, we freshen up and return to the common area to talk, have cold beverages and eat an amazing lunch, provided by the cooking staff.  We were never left hungry, and  the food was always delightful.

Dad takes a moment to flip through his photos and share some of the gems with the rest of the group.

Well, things have been a bit crazy in past months, but now it's time to get back to business.  I last posted only a few days into my Africa adventure and I've got so much more to share-  But before we rejoin the safari group, I want to share an adventure in my own back yard (or living room, if you will).   In January, I was fortunate enough to be host to two of my good friends from the UK for two weeks.  Andy had never been to America and his girlfriend Nikki had been once, but had not had a chance to explore the sights and nightlife.

But first, some background.  Before their visit, I'd never met Andy or Nikki before.  We'd never even talked on the phone.  I met Andy through facebook, and we'd been chit-chatting randomly online for about two years.  He's a top notch individual, so when he said he wanted to come out to California and see Hollywood I said I had a couch and he was welcome to it.  They had planned the trip with plenty of time to prepare, and explaining the accommodations to friends and family proved to be grounds for skepticism.  For example, a conversation Andy heard as he was coming down the stairs of his parents house for breakfast (he's 35, no he doesn't live with them):

   mum:  Do you know who Andrew is sleeping with in America?
   dad:    No, sleeping?
   mum:  A MAN he met off the internet, who is a criminal.
   dad:    What?
  mum:   Hasn't he shown you the picture of him from his book face, or whatever it's called?
   dad:    Facebook, mum.
  mum:   Yes, well, he will go and get him and Nikki murdered if he isn't careful... meeting
              strangers in chat boxes.
        ::Andy enters the room::
mum:   Morning Andrew, would you like some toast?

Regarding the "criminal" comment, I believe Andy's mom is referring to this photo, found on my facebook page.

Ahh the wonders of working at a prop house in Los Angeles.

Andy and Nikki arrived Jan. 5 and were immediately awestruck by Los Angeles.  We cruised up and down Sunset and Hollywood blvd., walked Venice Beach to Santa Monica and back again, ate and imbibed at many hollywood haunts... so many things to do in such a little span of time.  My sister Melissa helped with the tour guiding and getting them set up on the bus system for the days I was at work.  They managed to see and do quite a bit in the two weeks.  I was very impressed.   There were many things we take for granted in the states that they had never experienced.  Testament to this was our excursion to the Ralph's grocery store down the street.  Andy and Nikki's minds boggled at the 6 varieties of M&M, the HUGE bottles of Jack Daniels and Jagermeister, and this thing of wonder, seen in the movies but never experienced.... the Twinkie.  

One of the first questions they asked as we drove from the airport was, "what do those numbers mean at the gas station sign?"  This was the price, they were referring to, but in particular, why there is a fraction after the "cents" place.  I explained to them that it was in fact a fraction of a penny.  We have no coins for fractions of pennies.  Hmmm... curious.

Andy looking confused and befuddled, freshly off the plane at LAX.

Andy and Nikki hit the ground running in Sunny Los Angeles.

Eating at the infamous Barney's Beanery, where Joplin had her last gin and tonic, and Morrison peed on the bar.  Kids in a candy store...

Andy's first American burger and fries.  This would not be the last- 

In those two weeks we packed so much in, as I showed them the usual tourist fanfare as well as the lesser known gems of the city, and shared with them my own little slice of life.  I couldn't begin to convey how much fun we had those two weeks.  As thanks, Andy had bought tickets to a show at the House of Blues, featuring Velvet Underground, Tom Morello, Cheryl Crow, Steven Stills and Maroon 5.  A fantastic outing, to be sure.

A couple Jack and Cokes in and having a blast.

Scott Weiland and Slash.

Andy looking surly, though I'm pretty sure he was squealing like a girl just seconds earlier.

Nikki's feet were killing her so Andy carried her a while.  Parking on Sunset is never where you want it.

They say that houseguests are like fish- they start to really stink after 10 days.  This was a case to the contrary.  It was sad to see them go home.  I hope to visit them someday soon and they can share their world with me.  I will bring twinkies with me, and multiple flavors of M&M to trade.  But for now I have so many amazing memories from this adventure.

Awww... his first corndog.

The workers would not let him wear their hats.

Andy considered a career as a cameraman, until he saw how big the cameras were.

 Enjoying the Santa Monica sunset from the pier.

Rockstars at the Hard Rock on Hollywood Blvd.

Enjoying Venice Beach with Melissa.

Just days later, a severed head in a plastic bag would be found near where they're standing.  

Ahh Hollywood...

And now a few of my favorite photos of two of my favorite people.