It is starting to warm up here in Botswana. We are now entering spring. I’m starting to get a little concerned by all the reports about how hot it gets here. Apparently, by late September and October, it is uncomfortably hot and you just sweat all the time. We are trying to mentally prepare ourselves, as I have noticed that the temperature goes up almost a degree each day. Apparently, with the coming heat, then the rains in Dec./Jan., we will see a lot more creatures- some we want to see, some we don’t (like puff addlers and mambas). Apparently, there will be tons of birds and also chameleons, which I’m really excited about.

A couple of weeks ago, Richard attended a program called Taking Services to the People. It is a program in our district where different departments go to each village in the district and bring services that people may have difficulty accessing because of transportation, etc. It normally lasts about 17-18 days and the staff camps in the villages each night. Richard only attended the first few days, to bring HIV/AIDS information and to help the DAC Monitoring & Evaluation officer, because we wanted to attend my counterpart’s wedding which was some distance away.

Last weekend, we traveled with the Home Economics officer Gomolemo from my department, her husband, and her baby to my counterpart Pretty’s wedding. We had a really good time. We also got to see some friends while we were there. It was interesting to see the wedding customs unique to the area where my counterpart comes from in Northern Botswana. For example, she is supposed to keep her eyes lowered during the day. Also, she puts a cup of water on her head, which her new father-in-law drinks from. When that is finished, the cup is used for friends and family, as they dance around the couple, to put money in.

In most of Botswana, there are several stages in the marriage process. First, the brideprice is paid. The paying of the brideprice (lobola) is still very widespread. I’m told that the average price is 10 cows, although this price varies by region and local custom. After the brideprice has been paid, the couple will go to a local official to sign papers so they become legally married. After this (usually the next day), there will be what can be compared to a wedding reception in the bride’s home village. Anyone can come to this reception and eat- there are rarely official invitations. A week or two later, there will be another “reception” in the groom’s home village.

Richard and I just spend the last two days in Maun for a workshop. We saw some other Peace Corps volunteers while we were there so we got to hang out with them, which was fun. Richard will leave next weekend for a ten day Peace Corps training, then I will go the weekend -Peace Corps split our Bots7 group up so we come in two different shifts.

We now have another Peace Corps volunteer in Gumare, which we are happy about. She was supposed to be here originally, but her site got changed right after we were sworn in. Since her housing fell through at that site, they were able to find housing here in Gumare (after a long, somewhat complicated process). She will now be at the local HIV testing and counseling center. Welcome!!

This last Saturday was the annual Okavango District Home Economics Craft Show organized by the Home Economics officer in our department. It took place in Gumare and featured woodwork, beadwork, leatherwork, and basketry. My committee (solo) was publicity so I helped by making fliers, brochures, business cards, name tags, etc. The Okavango is actually known for its baskets (often called Ngamiland baskets). The baskets are very beautiful and intricately done. It is said that some baskets are woven so tight that they can hold sorghum beer. The exhibits at the craft show were judged and the winners are being sent to the capital for the national competition. Several Peace Corps volunteers came to the craft show (cheap baskets) so it was nice to see them.

Our pack of dogs continues to increase. In addition to the trail of dogs that follow us wherever we go, we now have 4 dogs that sleep on our porch at night, including our puppy Peba, an ex-volunteer’s dog named Skye, and 2 abandoned dogs Lady and Buster. The community knows us not only for being the local PCV’s, but also being the couple with many dogs. Our female dog Lady was in heat last week, so every male dog within a two kilometer radius was hanging out in front of our place waiting for a chance to violate her. There is a government vet that comes a few times a year to spay and neuter dogs (for free), but unfortunately he is not coming to September or October so it will be too late for Lady, who will probably be ready to give birth by then.

Richard is leaving today for a work trip- a program called Taking Services to the People. People from different departments go on a 17 day trip to visit villages in the district and bring services that are not normally readily accessible. Richard is only going until Wednesday or Thursday because we are going to my counterpart’s wedding next weekend.