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Botswana 2022

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Everybody has already been where you have just gone.

Botswana 2022

“We went to Central Kalahari” I told my friend the other day.” “Oh, she replied, I have also been there.”

Funny that some friends have already been where you went, even before you considered planning for the trip. “Where, I asked?” “Kgalagadi! she says” My turn – “Oh no, this is in Botswana. Close to Maun but far enough to travel for a whole day to reach your camp.” “I think we were there too.” “Which camp I ask?” “Oh, Stop challenging me! she answered.” So I let it go. They will tell us again that they have also been there. Perhaps they really have been there. Who I am I to disagree. But this is my story.

Traveling there is strenuous on the occupants and the car. I was secretly happy for a moderate breast size. Had pity on those larger ladies due to the quality of the road. Then the teeth also felt like they became looser as we drove along. At some point I wanted to climb out of the moving bakkie just to find solid ground.

Our Poppleton moment. “You know we don’t have any more Pula (Botswana currency) after we had to pay cash at the gate. For our next park trip we will have to draw more money or pay at the office in town.” “Where did all the money go? Did we not say we are goin to bring along 7000 ZAR. “No we said 7000 Botswana Pula.” “It is not the same. That is why the shortfall… See! Now we will have to go through a lot of effort to top up our cashflow.” “How did this happen?”

But then we arrive and experience the bliss of silence and containment of the camp. Even though no wood and electricity and also not fenced.

Here one can stay for a while and allow the day to guide you along as it unfolds.

Poppelton effect

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In 1992, the South Africa cricket team had to score 21 runs from 1 ball. This after 12 minutes of rain during a critical time and the Duckworth Lewis formula implemented. This was an impossible task and we lost that game.

I use the Duckworth Lewis as metaphor to what sometimes happens in most relationship due to misunderstandings, mainly due to miscommunication from where there is also almost no proper comeback. I call it the Poppleton effect. Here is how it started. Assie and I were talking about something and the conversation turned to a family who newly moved in and out of our neighborhood. I referred to them as the Poppletons and kept talking confidently about the Poppletons. Needless to say their surname was not Poppleton but my bad association had it fixed in my memory. Poppelton happens when one party is sure they are sure about something that is not sure. This creates confusion, discomfort and sometimes arguments on what the actual truth is and on who’s truth is actually the real truth…which there aren’t.  

Some examples of the Poppelton effect is.. “We need to pay for this fuel in Kwacha. (Zambian currency) Please give it to me” “We don’t have any Kwacha.” “You told me we had.” I never ever told you that. I cannot recall you even asked me about currency. “Yes I did and you told me we had.”

“But you said Nata.. Are you sure… We are too far now… Don’t you mean Mana?” “I said Mana.”        “ No, you said Nata.”