Yesterday we three guests spent a fair amount of time in cultural exchange, exploring how things work in our respective countries on things like getting a travel visa, divorce, estate planning, healthcare, holiday traditions, retirement, how a country comes to have the vibe it does, etc. I’m always impressed at how much other travelers know about the US, it’s politics, systems, culture, etc….generally more than many Americans themselves. It’s enlightening and humbling.

After a chorus of exotic animal calls in the dark of night and a solid rain-induced sleep, we packed up and headed to see some ancient rock paintings “nearby”. As we approached the massive cliffs, I felt a strong and certain pressure on my chest and asked our guide if he knew the spirits here? He said he didn’t know if there were spirits and asked me if I felt them. Yes indeed and they don’t want us to proceed. I was being stopped in my tracks as certain as I was breathing. The guide and our tour leader, both African men with strong beliefs in the power of ancestors and spirits were terrified. Oops … perhaps I’ll keep those thoughts and feelings to myself next time. We talked about spirit energy and other spirits in my life, then the energy shifted and we were free to proceed. Perhaps the spirits needed acknowledgment? The paintings were awe-inspiring. A giraffe, zebra, human family, hunter, rhino spelled out. Check out the photos. Tell me in the comments about your own experience with spirits.

From there we headed to Botswana. Border crossing was uneventful (they still take Covid very seriously and have special precautions for foot and mouth disease to the point where you must exit the vehicle and wipe your shoes on a chemically-treated mat). After stopping to exchange dollars for pula, we jostled our way to Moremi Gorge, near Palapye, just in time for a final private tour before closing. Not only a tourist attraction for hiking the gorge, but a game reserve, lovely permanent tented lodging with views of surrounding mountains, a restaurant, and pool. Our guide took us through a stunning gorge and shared the stories of guidance from ancestors. I felt them too but it was a completely different energy from this morning. The highlights were three waterfalls, the largest with vultures nesting in the towering cliffs above; spirit energy; and sighting some zebras and a dung beetle doing its thing. They also have wildebeest, boks, giraffes, and more.

This level of comfort (and electricity for recharging our technology) feels lovely after camping all week, though we’ve been incredibly lucky with weather and otherwise have everything we need so I have no complaints. At all. Everything is perfect. I am content and thrilled beyond words to be on this continent.

Expressions:

Eeet is goot, yes? Yehbo! (Yes)

Alumay – used by our crew when addressing one another, especially a man older than you; meaning “uncle”

Love,

Wen

Have you been to Botswana? What did you love best?

Cliffs with rock paintings
Ancient rock paintings of people
Ancient rock paintings of a hunter and zebra
Last night’s bath house. Fill bucket with water heated on hot plate, pour into bucket, raise bucket with pulley, open valve to release water through shower head on bottom on bucket. Genius
View from rock painting cliffs
Baobab tree 800+ years old
From the lodge pool overlooking the game reserve
Ultimate waterfall in Moremi Gorge. Vultures nest in those cliffs
Moremi Gorge
My traveling companions and our leader, Richard
Moremi Gorge
A scrambling tree. The roots look like they are poured over the rock
I love how Eco-conscious the Moremi Reserve is
You’ve heard of the Big 5. The dung beetle is one of the mini 5. We had two working together: one breaks apart dung, the other rolls it into a hole in the sand for storage. They deposit eggs into the center for incubation. The beetles’ hind feet are on backwards because they roll the dung by going backwards. While not the sexiest topic, these beetles are incredibly important to the ecosystem
Just another donkey cart galloping to town
Beautiful bird nests

8 responses to “Welcome to Botswana, Spirits, and Moremi Gorge – 12/8/22”

  1. hunbunx2 Avatar

    Loved the videos and hearing the birds sing. Their nests are incredible! Another post full of beauty!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Wen Avatar

      Thank you. I could have watched those birds for hours, especially when the parents brought food for the babies!

      Like

  2. Michelle Drucker Avatar
    Michelle Drucker

    Fabulous, Wen – I am so enjoying your posts. You look wonderfully relaxed, happy, and at peace. Love you!

    >

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Wen Avatar

      I’m thrilled to have you along on the journey. I hadn’t realized it until reading your comment but you’re right- I am incredibly relaxed. Hard not to be when spending 18 hours a day with 3 Africans and 2 Aussies who are all so Tranquiiiiillo. Hakuna matata! Love you 💗

      Like

  3. Kanoce Avatar
    Kanoce

    Love seeing the birds nests and hearing them chirp.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Wen Avatar

      It’s a beautiful soundtrack!

      Like

  4. thartiganblog Avatar

    Love the photos and the bird video. Very cool. Unsure about spirit encounters or awarenesses. I now will try to be open to them and welcome them. Thanks for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Wen Avatar

      Your open heartedness is an inspiration, my friend. Shine on 🌟

      Like

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